Tom Fischer loves football. He played for Sultan High School in 1982-86, and had been a pro prospect with the Canadian Football League and attended several NFL camps.
He began playing semi-professional ball with the Snohomish County Blue Knights and then the Everett Tramps before starting his own Snohomish County Vikings in 1991. In order to be able to play, Fischer enlisted his father, Wes Fischer, to be coach.
"I retired at 46. I felt good, but my body wasn't healing very fast and I build bridges and do union construction for a living,GÇ¥ said Fischer, who took over coaching the Vikings from his father two years ago. "This year we're seeing a lot of new guys. I spent a lot of money last year to get some new uniforms and get a new look.GÇ¥
The Vikings ended their season last year with a playoff loss to a team that made the championship game. Fischer said there is even more motivation to excel this season because the 2016-á Western Washington Football Alliance championship game will be held in the Tacoma Dome and televised in August, thanks to efforts by the Puyallup Nation Kings team.
While the WWFA has been around for years, he said it's surprising how few people know there's semi-pro football happening in their backyard.
"This year it's really going to help being in the Tacoma Dome and having it on TV,GÇ¥ Fischer said, "because really not a lot of people know about semi-pro football.GÇ¥
The Vikings held tryouts at the Monroe High School football field on Saturday, Jan. 30, and had their first practice there this past-áweekend; 11 new players were fitted for pads and helmets.
Players pay to play and are under one-year contracts, and Fischer said he is always looking to attract talent from other teams. That included investing $10,000 out-of-pocket for-áuniforms, belts and helmets with a new decal.
"I've been drawing players from other top teams because they like the flash, they like the team that I have, they like the coaches we have,GÇ¥ he said. "We look professional going out there.GÇ¥
Davina Suter with the Vikings said there was a lot of talent at tryouts and it will be difficult to make cuts in the future. The Vikings have their first game on April 23.
"We keep everybody on the roster until May,GÇ¥ Fischer said, adding he's seen players come into the league and come out with offers to play in arena and European leagues. The WWFA gives people who maybe didn't have the grades in high school or had an event prevent them from moving on in their football careers to stay in the game. "It's just a way for them to play on.GÇ¥
A 501C3, the Vikings also give back to the community with their sport, such as an annual fundraising game for Toys for Tots in December. Last year's game brought in more than truckload of toys, which were the price for admission, Suter said.
"The marine that was helping us had a tear in his eye,GÇ¥ she said, "he said, "You don't know how short they were before you did this.'GÇ¥
"We did more than we did the year before and we were the biggest in Snohomish County,GÇ¥ added Fischer of the Toys for Tots drive. "They were shocked when we pulled in there. Not that many people were donating at that particular time and it was 2 1/2 weeks until Christmas, and were like, "Oh no, we've got another truckload.GÇ¥
The Vikings also support the Wounded Warrior Project, Children's County Home and local food banks.
Fischer said the nonprofit football team rents the Monroe High School field for-á home games, where the Bearcat Pride concession stand operates and keeps 100 percent of the proceeds. Suter said the Vikings play four home games, four away and two preseason games each season.
The Vikings are in serious need of more sponsors, Suter said, which the nonprofit will be pushing for in the coming months.
Fischer said he's where he needs to be with the five-year plan he designed when he started coaching.-á
"Once I get my hall of fame ring and jacket, I will start staking out colleges, because I want to get paid for it,GÇ¥ he said.
Find out more at www.snohomishcountyvikingfootball.org.
Photos by Jim Scolman Snohomish County Vikings football coach Tom Fischer speaks with players during tryouts on Saturday, Jan. 30. The Vikings play their first game in April, with the goal of reaching the Western Washington Football Alliance championship, which will be at the Tacoma Dome this year.Fischer makes a pass to a player during tryouts.
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