Merkel Honored For Service To Children

Dwight Merkel Appreciation Day came and went without fanfare. It’s hard to appreciate someone if you’re not sure what they’ve done.

Although his name may be unfamiliar to many, hundreds of thousands of area residents have benefited from his decisions. Some of us can even blame him for our hectic weekend schedules. Because of Dwight Merkel, any kid who wants to can play sports in the Spokane area.

In his 31 years with the Spokane Youth Sports Association, the director has expanded it from a football league with 284 kids to a conglomerate that provides sports activities to more than 20,000 kids annually.

Bob Peters was one of the six original members who began the organization as the Spokane Junior Football League, back in the mid-1960s.

“It took a while. It developed piece by piece. The first big major hurdle was to get a place of our own to play. That’s when the North Complex began to develop,” Peters said.

“We had a rock-picking party at the North Side. The soil was too rocky to plant grass seed, so we got anybody we could to pick up rocks. Dwight organized a drive to get the two buildings from the Spokane World’s Fair for the North Side. The Parks and Recreation Department provided water for grass. He was a great instigator and provider of things. He’s a great motivator for the youth in Spokane County.”

On April 25, Merkel was honored by the Parks and Recreation Department for his lifelong commitment to area children. Because of his long-term battle with cancer, the plaque was presented at his home.

Mayor Jack Geraghty proclaimed April 28 Dwight Merkel Appreciation Day.

“Dwight Merkel’s name has become synonymous with youth sports,” said Geraghty. “His tireless efforts have resulted in opportunities for all Spokane youth to play and experience success through sports programs. He has played a tremendous role in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Spokane.”

Merkel has guaranteed that every child could play sports by offering financial aid to needy families in Spokane and by constantly expanding the organization to accommodate large numbers of children.

“He has always said it’s important to give a kid a chance to taste success and to be in the spotlight for just a moment,” said acting director Von Graf.

Today’s young players can choose from golf, softball, baseball, indoor and outdoor soccer, football and a wide variety of summer camps, as well as planned celebrations hosted at the indoor facility.

“Dwight has always wanted to do a flyfishing class. He has encouraged us to do off-the-wall stuff to appeal to the kids who aren’t very athletic, but need some involvement,” said Peggy Best, administrator of the Indoor Activity Center. “He is always trying to think of new ways to reach kids in areas where kids have limited resources and are lacking in family support. He is for the kids and his whole life has been committed to them.”

Although the North and South Complexes and Indoor Activity Center were all developed under his supervision, both Graf and Best feel one of Merkel’s biggest accomplishments was building the North Complex, which will permanently display the plaque commemorating him and his philosophy: “Every kid should be able to play sports.”

Youth Sports now boasts second and third generations of families who come to play sports. Today, there is a whole new generation of parents standing in the rain to watch their kids play.

Dwight Merkel has accomplished a lot. Kids are never cut from Youth Sports teams. Our little Spokane athletes have learned sportsmanship and teamwork. And every child has gotten a chance to play.

If it’s not too late, I’d like to celebrate Dwight Merkel Day. I think I’ll take my kids fly fishing.