STORY Kellyn Pappas Last year, board members also worked to raise the necessary funds to turf the indoor facility. “Without the efforts of current board members Dave Couch, Brian Schueller, Josh Nuss, Rick Sanger, and Ryan Galles, we wouldn’t be in the position we are now with the facility,” Hackett said. “Having turf instead of a concrete floor is a game-changer!” “The board was very excited for this to take shape and be a success — job well done by everyone involved,” Crawford added.
As a volunteer-led organization,
Hackett points to WAC’s coaching staff as a vital component of its success. “Coaching is a thankless job,” he said. “Keeping teams running smoothly and finding different ways to develop players is hard as a volunteer.” Crawford agreed, highlighting the role of team parents. “All parents involved in WAC take time out of their already hectic work schedules to put practices together and help run the club.” Many WAC participants get their start in softball through the Waukee Parks & Recreation softball program. Both Hackett and Crawford have daughters whose introductions to softball began in Waukee Parks & Rec. “The Waukee Parks & Rec program was a great start for my daughter,” said Hackett. “Several girls who started on my daughter’s Parks & Rec team are still in WAC.”For their part, the Waukee Parks & Rec department enjoys the close relationship that developed with organizations like WAC. “The Parks & Rec Girls softball program is a good feeder program for the more competitive programs in our community,” Josh VandeKamp, assistant parks and rec director said. “The City has a good relationship with the WAC and a like-minded mission to provide opportunities for all girls to play the game of softball.”
Charley Crawford and Haley Hackett practicing
Participation in WAC is open to all girls who attend school within
the Waukee Community School District. Currently, WAC has teams from 8-and-under to 14-and-under, totaling 13 teams with 160 players between them. “Our numbers within the club are strong and will continue to grow,” said Hackett. Tryouts to join WAC are held in mid to late June, and selected players receive their offers to join the club via email shortly after. The season takes place from August through the following June. The club’s annual tournament will be held this fall at Waukee’s Triumph Park. Most WAC teams play their games in the Des Moines metro area, so travel for athletes and families is often minimal. The cost to participate is generally between $800 to $1,100 for the season, according to Crawford. Hackett and the rest of the WAC board look forward to more changes as WAC continues to succeed. “We have a lot of ideas that would continue to develop our players and teams, but will also strengthen the club,” Hackett said. “As a club that prides itself on developing these young ladies into competitive players and teams, we know that WAC will continue to grow as our name continues to spread throughout the community.”
Charley Crawford
Quinn Crawford
WAC also cultivates a close relationship with both Waukee high schools. “It’s been a pleasure working with WAC since I started as the Waukee softball coach,” Andy Pals, head softball coach at Waukee High School, said. “We have worked together to grow the game of softball and support our Waukee softball players.”
Most important, though, are the lessons and friendships that extend far beyond the softball diamond. “Some of my daughters’ closest friends have been made playing for WAC,” said Crawford. “Softball is a great sport. It teaches life lessons,” Hackett said. “We are not just teaching girls the game of softball, but the game of life, and how to be a good person on and off the field.” For more information on the Waukee Athletic Club, please go to: wacsoftball.club Matt Hackett, Charley Crawford, Haley Hackett (L), Chris Crawford and Quinn Crawford (R).
Carrie Eby, head coach of the Waukee Northwest High School softball program, echoed Pals. “Northwest softball has continued its growth through the investment and development of young girls in the WAC program,” she said. “It is the skills training and coaching of the youth that will determine future successful Northwest High School teams." Regardless of which Waukee school they attend, WAC provides a great opportunity for girls within the school district to participate in a competitive weekend tournament season. “I encourage young players to join a competitive team,” said Hackett. “WAC is the perfect fit for young and developing players to take their skill set to the next level.” Crawford agreed, noting, “WAC was a new organization to me and my family. I had not yet heard of WAC until friends mentioned the club in passing. We made the right decision to move our daughters from Parks & Rec to a more competitive setting.”
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