The following is written by Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow:

This week, we were reminded all too well of the power of sports to bring both elation and depression.  In some respects, it’s almost frightening the power they can have on our collective mood; but in the end, I think it’s the ability to bring such different people together that is so special.

In Sumner, we sure love our sports.  Our parks are often full of adults and children playing various games; high school games are community-wide events; and bike riders and joggers enjoy our trail system through Sumner.  There are also a few more connections on the horizon.

The Sounders U-23 team will again call Sumner’s Sunset Stadium home this year.  If you’ve never seen them play, you should.  It’s $10, it’s right here in Sumner, and it’s a fun game to watch.  Of course, the U.S. Open is coming to Chambers Bay in June, and Open in Sumner will celebrate all things golf and Pacific Northwest here in Sumner the weekend before (June 13-14).  The proceeds of this will go to the Friends of American Lake Veteran’s Golf Course, the only course in the nation specifically designed for disabled veterans.  Talk about the power of sports to literally change lives!

This last Monday, we also increased our partnership with the Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission.  They exist to attract and support amateur sports events to our area.  And in June the Daffodil Festival will return with their 5K run in each city, including Sumner, before the parade.

We use sports to mix generations, to gather together, to cheer, to strive for something, and even to raise money for good causes.  Sports can keep our bodies healthy, but they also keep our community healthy.  We get these benefits whether our team wins or loses.  Of course, it’s easier to remember when our teams win rather than lose, but even in loss, we can come together as a community!