County Hall of Fame Class of 2020: Tom Lafferty

Tom Lafferty

Inducted as: Sports contributor

High school: Snohomish class of 1975

Sports: High school football and basketball broadcasting, Everett AquaSox public address announcer, and more

“Tall Tom” Lafferty has been an institution in the Snohomish County sports community for more than three decades.

It began in 1984 when minor-league baseball came to town in the form of the Northwest League’s Everett Giants, and Lafferty was hired as the team’s first ever public address announcer. It’s a role he’s held ever since, as he’s the only “voice of the team” either the Everett Giants or Everett AquaSox have ever had.

Lafferty is also a fixture in the local high school sports community. He is the sports director and primary play-by-play announcer for KRKO 1380 AM’s high school football and basketball broadcasts, as well as the co-host of Prep Sports Weekly. Other sports Lafferty has served as announcer or broadcaster for include AVP pro beach volleyball, Washington Stealth indoor lacrosse and NASCAR auto racing at Evergreen Speedway.

Lafferty’s honors include being inducted into the Snohomish High School Hall of Fame in 2009, receiving the Northwest League’s Joe Martin Award for exceptional dedication and service in 2010, special commendation from the Snohomish County Officials Association in 2013, and receiving the Dave Duvall Award from the WIAA and District 1 for contribution to youth and community in 2018.

Finally, Lafferty serves as the master of ceremonies for the annual Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame banquet. This year’s banquet was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning Lafferty will have to wait until next year to be one of those honored at the banquet instead.

This is the first of nine profiles on the 2020 Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame induction class. This year’s banquet was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the inductees will be officially honored at the 2021 banquet.