Thank You First Responders

LETTER FROM TOM BARDEN, SEAWOLVES RUGBY PRESIDENT & COO

According to National Today (yes, that’s a thing), March 9th is National Get Over It Day. Oddly enough, it’s also National Crab Meat Day and National Meatball Day. Further, March 9th is National Barbie Day, as on March 9th, 1959, the Barbie doll debuted at the International Toy Fair in New York. Quite a day, this March 9th!

As if these celebrations weren’t enough, March 9th, 2024, marks another monumental occasion at Starfire Stadium: the first-ever MLR showdown between the Seattle Seawolves and the Miami Sharks. To honor this event, will the Seawolves be distributing crab legs to the first 2,000 fans? No. Is Rucky planning to entertain the crowd, dressed as Barbie? Certainly not. Perhaps the game ball will be adorned to look like a meatball? Still, no. And what about Dr. Phil making a halftime appearance to teach us how to “Get Over It?” Not at all.

Rather than playing with any gimmicks, our Seawolves organization are choosing to mark this day with a gesture of true significance: we’re dedicating the game to celebrating First Responders. On March 9th, the Seawolves squad will take the field and play with poise, commitment, and ferocity. This can only mirror the relentless spirit First Responders show every hour of every day as they rush to our aid and keep us safe even in our most challenging moments.

The decision to honor First Responders with this match holds strong personal meaning for me. While I am proud of my long career in business, my becoming a part-owner of the Seawolves, and my current position as the 2024 President of the Seawolves, my accomplishments feel modest to many of my closest relatives:

• John Barden (grandfather) – Fireman, San Francisco Fire Department
• Dan Barden (father) – Chief, San Francisco Fire Department
• Jim Barden (uncle) – Chief, San Francisco Fire Department
• Bernadette Barden (aunt) – Fireman, San Francisco Fire Department
• John Barden (uncle) – Captain, San Francisco Fire Department
• Jeff Barden (cousin) – Captain, San Francisco Fire Department
• Brian Barden (cousin) – Lieutenant, San Francisco Fire Department
• Isaac Dassel (nephew) – EMT, City of Boston (in training right now!)

These jobs require incredibly high levels of skill, as well as a commitment to keeping those skills sharp at all times. These jobs are physically taxing and often demand the bravery to put one’s own safety at risk for the safety of others. They require an ability to master complex concepts, to process information at incredible speeds, and to make split-second decisions informed by training and instinct when things around you are most chaotic. Clarkie works hard to fill the Seawolves with world-class rugby players who demonstrate these exact skills. He then asks them to be at their best 16 times a season (plus the playoffs!).

On March 9th, we pay tribute to the First Responders who bring these skills to the table EVERY DAY. I know first-hand what these heroes among us put into keeping us safe. It is never far from my mind how invaluable a contribution First Responders make to the quality of my life, and those of my loved ones. How lucky are we? Just saying thank you hardly feels like enough, but hopefully, it can be a start.

So, I look forward to seeing everyone on March 9th, 2024! Come ready to cheer your hearts out – and not just for the Seawolves.

– Tom Barden
President and COO, Seawolves Rugby

#TogetherWeHunt