New Leadership, Same Mission: North Sound League Builds Football Family

Youth football in Washington is undergoing a major transformation this season, marked by the creation of new leagues, the merging of clubs, and a renewed focus on community, leadership, and mentorship. At the center of these changes in the North Sound Region is Tristen Schattler, newly appointed president of the North Sound Junior Football League.

“I had coached for a few years for the youth league out in Mount Si and then had some kids and moved up into the Monroe area. My oldest son was five at the time, so we got him involved with the Monroe youth football program. I didn’t know much about the program, but in week two, one of the coaches came over to me and asked me to help coach,” said Schattler. “I ended up assuming the role of the head coach for that team for the rest of the season, and then by the end of the year, the president stepped away, and they asked me to take over. At first, I was unsure, but if there was a need, I wanted to help out.”

That willingness to step in has guided Schattler through the last six months as president—a period shaped by a merger of multiple clubs and the logistical hurdles that followed. The newly expanded league merged with the Northwest Junior Football League in the offseason and now has a 16-member team league that includes some of the top high school feeder programs in the area: Renton Rangers, North Seattle Titans, West Seattle Wildcats, Ballard Knights, Cedar Park Eagles, Interbay Eagles, Eastside Junior Football, Mariner Junior Football, Snohomish Jr. Football, Mill Creek Youth Football, Lake Stevens Youth Football, Everett Timberwolves, Meadowdale Junior Football, Monroe Youth Football, Edmonds Warriors, and Pac Highway Pirates.

“With that merger and adding all these new clubs has been challenging—not only for scheduling, but logistics-wise it has been tough,” he said. “The other league, the president took care of everything, and my goal is that we do this together and we do this as an organization. I want to do this as a team, where we all come to an agreement on what we are doing and why we are doing it. It seems to be working so far, but I know it’s going to be rocky because it is the first season of changes, but I think it is going to come to fruition.”

At the heart of Schattler’s vision is a deep understanding of what youth football can mean for kids who need structure, encouragement, and a place to belong.

“These kids need a place to play. They need a competitive and genuine place to actually play football and be able to have a culture of family at a place where they can call people family,” he said. “We have multiple children that don’t have anything else, or don’t have good home lives, and this is their outlet. We get these coaches to be role models for these boys, and to give them an outlet that they might not have at all.”

Terry Lott, president of Mariners Junior Football and a board member of the North Sound League, shares that belief. What started as a way to be involved in his son’s early football journey turned into a long-term commitment to improving the youth sports experience for all kids—especially those without access or support.

“My involvement in this league started nine years ago, bringing my youngest son to see how things would go. The following year I started coaching and have been coaching every year now. And once my kid aged out, I thought it was the perfect time to step up and apply to be the president because their current president was going elsewhere,” said Lott. “I had a chance to make an organization that I wished for my son. I wanted to look at things differently—everybody looks at wins and losses, and I wanted to look at how much of a positive impact that I could make.”

Lott is focused on accessibility and equity. No matter where a child lives, he believes cost shouldn’t be a barrier to participation.

“My sole goal is to try to find a way for every kid to play football at an affordable price, no matter what neighborhood you live in,” he said. “Whether it is the suburbs or a more memorable setting, everyone is able to play football at a great price.”

But beyond affordability, Lott sees youth football as a vital piece of rebuilding a sense of community.

“First and foremost, our young people have lost their connection to community, to something greater than themselves. And so, my goal is to break that down throughout coaching and as president,” said Lott. “The game is a tool to create something greater, stronger, and build confident young people who carry discipline and purpose beyond the field. I owe it to my community, those who once believed in me growing up, to give the kids what I needed—a steady voice and an everlasting connection.”

Schattler agrees that youth football is about much more than the game. It’s about shaping values that last long after the final whistle.

“I think in this day and age, we as a society have lost track of disciplining and teaching our kids respect. Football is especially one of these sports that is a very disciplined sport, so being able to teach those kids discipline in that sport will help reflect it in their lives,” Schattler said. “A good coach teaches them how to respect coaches, themselves, teammates, and respect their home life. Football is just a huge part of developmental progress in children, and it is a fulfillment unlike anything else as a coach.”

For Schattler, the rewards of coaching and leading youth football go far beyond trophies and stats.

“Watching the kids, the team, and the organization grow is the most rewarding thing for me as president,” he said. “Being able to be a part of something that teaches and develops kids, and not just handing out participation trophies, is wonderful.”