The Harbor Fire Lacrosse Association-- founded by Craig Wickstrom, Ken Uddenberg, Tino De La Rosa, and Christie Lyon -- brought lacrosse to Gig Harbor, WA in 2009. Ken Uddenberg, Marc Kemp, and Kelly Bland started the 7/8^th grade team that year. The following year, Marc and Kelly developed a boys high school team for both Gig Harbor and Peninsula.

Over the next three years, Ken Uddenberg, Tracy Lyon, & Tom Olson joined the high school team’s coaching staff as the initial group of 19 high school boys grew to a roster of over 60 by 2013. In the four-year history, the team finished with a record of 36-25, claiming two conference championships, earning four 1^st round playoff appearances, and having seven players earn All-Conference honors.

In 2014, the league’s governing body (Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association) mandated that conglomerate clubs split, and so separate teams were created to align with GHHS and PHS. Coaches Kemp, Bland, and Olson continued to lead the players from GHHS while Coaches Lyon and Rusty Wilder assumed leadership of the players from PHS.

In 2015, the Peninsula Lacrosse Association was established and became responsible for the PHS boys’ high school team and the boys youth programs feeding into PHS. And in 2016, Harbor Fire Lacrosse Association was rebranded as Gig Harbor Lacrosse Association with the boys programs adopting the “Tides” mascot and Gig Harbor High School color.

In the spirit of the Apple Cup and Fish Bowl, the Baggataway Bowl was established to commemorate the common origin of the two squads, celebrate their natural rivalry, and honor the heritage of The Game. “Baaga`adowe” is the Ojibwe word for the Native American game we know as “lacrosse.” Native Americans considered Baaga`adowe to be “The Creator’s Game,” a divine gift, and played the game with great ritual and ceremony to honor the Creator, heal the sick or injured, resolve disputes, and prepare warriors for battle.

The victor of the Baggataway Bowl is awarded “The Fire Stick” trophy. The Fire Stick is a symbol of the original Harbor Fire Lacrosse Association, of the players, coaches, and families who divided into two proud clubs, and of baaga`adowe itself. The head of the stick on the trophy was custom dyed and strung by Coach Kemp in the original red and black colors of Harbor Fire Lacrosse. The more traditional leather stringing materials and wood “Crooked Arrows” shaft pay homage to the Native origins of the game.

It is intended that the Fire Stick be a perpetual trophy and pass to the winner after each annual contest. The winning team will be its steward until the next contest between the two teams.

First Meeting, 2014: The Peninsula High School team won the inaugural Baggataway Bowl on 3/18/14 in overtime, 8-7. Coaches: Tracy Lyon & Rusty Wilder (PHS); Marc Kemp, Kelly Bland, Tommy Olsen (GHHS).

Second Meeting, 2015: The Gig Harbor High School team won the 2nd Baggataway Bowl on 5/12/15 in overtime, 11-10. Coaches: Tracy Lyon, Rusty Wilder, Courtney Mauzy (PHS); Marc Kemp & Tyler Fleetham (GHHS).

Third Meeting, 2016: The Gig Harbor High School team won the 3rd Baggataway Bowl on 5/6/16, 9-4.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder & Courtney Mauzy (PHS); Marc Kemp & Tommy Olsen (GHHS).

Fourth Meeting, 2017: The Peninsula High School team won the 4th Baggataway Bowl on 5/5/17, 17-9.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder & Courtney Mauzy (PHS); Marc Kemp & Kelly Bland (GHHS).

Fifth Meeting, 2018: The Peninsula High School team won the 5th Baggataway Bowl on 5/2/18, 13-7.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder & Courtney Mauzy (PHS); Marc Kemp & Kelly Bland (GHHS).

Sixth Meeting, 2019: The Peninsula High School team won the 6th Baggataway Bowl on 5/3/19, 12-8.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder (PHS); Marc Kemp & Kelly Bland (GHHS).

2020: Game cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic. Covid Won.

Seventh Meeting, 2021: The Peninsula High School team won the 7th Baggataway Bowl on 6/4/2021, 17-1.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder (PHS); Marc Kemp & Kelly Bland (GHHS).

Eighth Meeting, 2022: The Peninsula High School team won the 8th Baggataway Bowl on 4/29/2022, 14-13.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder (PHS); Marc Kemp, Kelly Bland, Greg “Bubba” Gutherless” (GHHS).

Ninth Meeting, 2023: The Peninsula High School team won the 9th Baggataway Bowl on 4/28/2023, 13-5.

Coaches: Rusty Wilder (PHS); Marc Kemp, Kelly Bland, Ian Stanley (GHHS).

Tenth Meeting, 2024: The Gig Harbor High School team won the 10th Baggataway Bowl on 4/26/2024, 16-14. Coaches: Rusty Wilder (PHS); Marc Kemp, Kelly Bland, Garrett Ness & Judd Anderson (GHHS).