Karl Graf Field; Honoring a Legacy
Karl Graf Field
at Karl Graf Stadium
Honoring a Legacy. Building the Future.
On the second Friday of September, the Selah community celebrates a true game changer. Prior to the September 11 varsity football game featuring the hometown Vikings versus the Quincy Jackrabbits, the Selah School District will dedicate Karl Graf Field at Karl Graf Stadium. This marks a new chapter in the history of a special venue that has been part of the Selah action for generations.
But before we celebrate the new field, let's remember the man whose name has been woven into the history of this stadium and Selah athletics and the community for decades.
Remembering Karl Graf.
Karl Graf was more than a longtime Selah resident; he was a man who knew the potential of the community and, more importantly, its young people. He was a community leader, a businessman, a volunteer, a coach, and a passionate supporter of Selah's young people. He raised six children of his own, yet his impact reached generations of young Vikings.
Karl's commitment to Selah extended beyond the playing field and was rooted in putting community first. He served on the Selah City Planning Commission and as a Selah City Councilman, giving his time and energy to the community that was his home. Karl was also honored as a Selah Community Days Grand Marshal, recognizing his lasting impact.
But for many in Selah, it was Karl's love of sports—and his belief in the importance of youth athletics—that made him especially beloved by generations of Viking families.
Karl established the Selah Tomahawks Grid Kid Football Team in the mid-1960s and continued as a coach for years. He coached Pee Wee baseball, helped establish the Selah Little League Association, and was a founding member of the Selah Sports Association. He knew thousands of kids and he remembered their names.
He was also instrumental in raising the funds needed to install lights at Wood Field at Carlon Park, helping create opportunities for generations of young athletes to play, compete, and come together as a community.
Most of all, Karl Graf understood the purity of sports—that athletics were about more than stats and winning games. They were about giving young people a place to belong, teaching them teamwork and perseverance, and bringing a community together.
A Name With a Legacy
It is fitting that Selah High School's varsity athletic complex was eventually named in Karl's honor.
Since its first game—a Homecoming game in the fall of 1990—Karl Graf Stadium has been a place where generations of Vikings have competed, families have gathered, rivals have respected one another, and memories have been made.
The Graf name has been emblazoned on the stadium for decades, a lasting reminder of someone who believed in Selah and invested in its young people.
Today, that legacy continues.
Karl Graf Field — 2026
The installation of new field turf on Karl Graf Field represents a significant investment in the future of Selah athletics and the broader community. Football, boys' and girls' soccer, and lacrosse will share the field, making a durable, all-weather surface an important addition to the stadium.
But the significance of this project goes beyond a new playing surface.
Karl Graf Field will give future generations of Vikings a place to compete, grow, lead, and create memories—continuing the spirit of a man who spent his life investing in Selah's future: its youth and its community.
As we celebrate the completion of the Karl Graf Field project, let's honor the legacy of a man who helped build the foundation for Selah athletics.
Welcome to Karl Graf Field. Home of the Vikings.
#RollViks!
See here for more about the Karl Graf Field project.