By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
Chief Leschi Warriors senior Joey Earl will continue his football and track career a mere nine miles down the road from the Puyallup Reservation.
A signing day ceremony commenced in the Chief Leschi Schools auditorium on Feb. 27, where Earl signed his paperwork to continue his athletic career at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Earl was surrounded by family, friends, administrators, community members, teammates and former coaches for the festive occasion.
“I have always dreamed for a day like this,” Earl said. “All the work I have done and all of the work my parents put me through looks like it is paying off.”
Going to school just down the road from the house he grew up played a huge role in his decision to attend UPS.
“I wanted to go to school close to home and this is my opportunity. I love it,” Earl said.
Earl is looking to make an immediate impact no matter what position he ends up playing.
“They want me as an athlete, but I’m coming in as a quarterback,” Earl said. “They said they just want me on the field anywhere they can get me.”
Earl’s father, Chester, is just as excited about the academic opportunities at UPS as the athletic ones.
“He picked education as his No. 1 reason for wanting to go to UPS. That is just a proud dad moment and is exciting,” Chester said.
Chester said his son currently has around a 3.82 grade point average.
“I was a well-disciplined, strict dad that kept him on his toes. I’m dad before friend. I love the heck out of him and I played that dad role the best I could,” Chester said.
Chief Leschi football coach Ahmad Agyapong, who was seated directly to Joey’s right during the signing ceremony, said leadership is his No. 1 attribute as a football player.
“When he came in, he changed our program tremendously. He changed everything about it,” Agyapong said. “He was pretty much a coach on the field, and his ability to command an offense and attention to detail was great.”
Agyapong said he plans on attending Loggers football games in the fall to watch his old signal caller.
“Joey is a great young man, a great athlete and a great person,” he said. “I’m really excited he committed to this school.”
Below are quotes from Puyallup Tribal Council Members regarding Joey’s commitment to the University of Puget Sound.
Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller
“I just want to express that Joey’s ancestors and all of our ancestors fought hard and long for Chief Leschi to be our school — a school (where) our children can express themselves and they can learn the way they’re supposed to learn. They can learn their traditions, their languages and the sports. Our people are athletes and have been for centuries. It’s really important that Joey gets to pursue his dream and this is his dream. I want him to know how proud I am of him. It’s important that our kids be able to be in an atmosphere they enjoy, especially in sports. Joey is just an individual that can do anything. I look forward to him being a leader here (Puyallup Tribe) someday.”
Councilwoman Annette Bryan
“I am extremely proud of Joey and his persistence in achieving his goals. He overcame many obstacles and continued to strive to be his very best. I’m beyond proud of his leadership.”
Councilman James Rideout
“The experience that he brought to (Chief Leschi) is pretty amazing. We watched him grow up. I believe he can achieve just about anything he sets his mind to because he is a very good student. He is a student first and an athlete second. I believe that we (Puyallup Tribe) have a brighter future with a young leader like himself. He opened the door of opportunity for other kids and set the example well.”
Councilwoman Monica Miller
“Joey is amazing. He is strong kid, is a leader and he is a mentor for all these other students. … Joey’s parents did a great job with him. They kept him into sports. … I am excited to watch him at the University of Puget Sound and see how far he goes there, too. It is exciting for him to be a Puyallup Tribal Member and to make it this far, and for the rest of the Tribe to see how much one of our young ones have made it. He went for his goals and he achieved them. … He is a great student and a great Tribal Member. He will be a great leader. … I also want to thank Joey for that personal invite to the school to witness his signing with the University of Puget Sound. I love that No. 13. You go, Joey. You rock.”
