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What’s The Frenzy About? Thomas Hopes Spokane Embraces His Flag Football Tournament

Garrett Riddle Correspondent

Spokane’s Guy Thomas is hoping good things really do come in threes.

In a town which already hosts the world’s largest timed road race (Bloomsday) and the country’s biggest 3-on-3 basketball tournament (Hoopfest), Thomas is wagering there’s room for another community-backed event - The Family Football Frenzy.

The inaugural 6-on-6 flag football tournament will take place at Shadle Park on Aug. 26-27.

Thomas, the 28-year-old owner of an active-apparel company, conceived the idea of having a football tournament in January. Since then, he has spent an average of 10 hours per day working on what he believes will become part of Spokane’s athletic heritage.

“It was just a brainstorm,” Thomas said of the Frenzy. “I took a look at Hoopfest and then thought about which sports are most popular in general. I decided that football hadn’t had a fair shake based on its popularity.

“Not everyone wants to be a spectator. And there’s kind of a niche out there that hasn’t been filled as far as festivals go.”

Thomas proceeded to do a demographic survey of area retailers concerning consumers’ dollars spent on football merchandise. Thomas found Spokane’s interest level sufficient to put on a tournament, and he presented his findings to local businesses he hoped could help finance a tournament similar to Hoopfest.

“Basically I went and approached businesses with this being an opportunity for them to jump on the bandwagon to an ongoing thing at the ground level,” Thomas said. “All net proceeds will be split between four charities, and this is another opportunity for businesses to get involved as far as a community event.”

Thomas pulled in several major sponsors, including the Ridpath Hotel, Rouse’s Towing, Pantrol, Swackhammer’s, Elite Spas, Cyrus O’Leary’s and Victoria’s Coffee.

“People really loved the concept,” Thomas said. “I haven’t had a negative comment yet on the concept and that’s something that’s really kept me going.”

Thomas is aiming to have 168 teams participate in the Frenzy this year, and his goals for the future are even loftier.

“My goal is to become just as large as Hoopfest,” he said. “Plus, and this isn’t something I’ve discussed enough at length with these merchants out here, but I would like to revitalize this Shadle Park area. That’s a goal I look forward to fulfilling as far as spillover from the event.”

Thomas has some simpler goals as well.

“This will be one weekend out of the year where people can play hard football, sit down, listen to some music and maybe eat some food,” he said.

“I think there’s a group of individuals who don’t make it to the college or the pro ranks who still have that desire to play the game. So if we can capture even half that emotion we’ve met our expectations.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: EASLEY’S COIN FLIP THE HIGHLIGHT AS TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF AUG. 26-27 Former Seahawks safety Kenny Easley’s ceremonial coin-toss will highlight the Family Football Frenzy, a 6-on-6 flag football tournament running from Aug. 26-27 at Shadle Park. “We believe this will show that this is not just another tournament,” event coordinator Guy Thomas said of Easley’s appearance. The Frenzy will feature live music and food booths from the following restaraunts: Pizza Pipeline, Yogurt Delight, Victoria’s Coffee and Aracelia’s Mexican Food. Entrance fees are $12 for each team member, with a roster limit of eight. Each team will play a minimum of three games and T-shirts are included with paid entry fee. The proceeds from the Frenzy will be split beween four charities: DARE, National Epilepsy Foundation, National Tourrettes Foundation and Youth Sports Programs. “We’ll be working off of seven football fields and will split the fields in half,” Thomas said. “A game will last 30 minutes (running clock) and we’ll be working off of two 15-minute quarters. We’ll have two officials per field and a field coordinator.” The Family Football Frenzy will be open to competitors in the following categories: adult male (18 years and up), adult female (18 and up), high school male (14-17), high school female (14-17), co-ed (17 and up), family (14 and up), and couch potato. Thomas said the Frenzy will include players of all skill levels.”You’ll see some athletes who played in the CFL and others who have tried out for pro teams,” he said. “You’ll see some college players and then you’ll see some people who haven’t played tackle football for 6 or 7 years.” Registration forms are available at Play it Again Sports, Pizza Pipeline and Swackhammer’s.

This sidebar appeared with the story: EASLEY’S COIN FLIP THE HIGHLIGHT AS TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF AUG. 26-27 Former Seahawks safety Kenny Easley’s ceremonial coin-toss will highlight the Family Football Frenzy, a 6-on-6 flag football tournament running from Aug. 26-27 at Shadle Park. “We believe this will show that this is not just another tournament,” event coordinator Guy Thomas said of Easley’s appearance. The Frenzy will feature live music and food booths from the following restaraunts: Pizza Pipeline, Yogurt Delight, Victoria’s Coffee and Aracelia’s Mexican Food. Entrance fees are $12 for each team member, with a roster limit of eight. Each team will play a minimum of three games and T-shirts are included with paid entry fee. The proceeds from the Frenzy will be split beween four charities: DARE, National Epilepsy Foundation, National Tourrettes Foundation and Youth Sports Programs. “We’ll be working off of seven football fields and will split the fields in half,” Thomas said. “A game will last 30 minutes (running clock) and we’ll be working off of two 15-minute quarters. We’ll have two officials per field and a field coordinator.” The Family Football Frenzy will be open to competitors in the following categories: adult male (18 years and up), adult female (18 and up), high school male (14-17), high school female (14-17), co-ed (17 and up), family (14 and up), and couch potato. Thomas said the Frenzy will include players of all skill levels.”You’ll see some athletes who played in the CFL and others who have tried out for pro teams,” he said. “You’ll see some college players and then you’ll see some people who haven’t played tackle football for 6 or 7 years.” Registration forms are available at Play it Again Sports, Pizza Pipeline and Swackhammer’s.