The first Islander hoping to snag the title of Vashon’s unofficial mayor has thrown his hat in the ring — and it’s a black, three-cornered pirate hat.

Each year, residents representing nonprofits collect votes — in the form of dollar bills — and whoever earns the most is named the mayor of Vashon at Strawberry Festival for the following year. Islanders can vote (or contribute money) as often as they like.

Paul “Big Wally” Wallrof, today a head coach for Vashon Pirate Youth Football, has been involved in football for decades, as a player and a coach. And, although he may look fearsome, he said he has a lot of fun with the Island’s aspiring footballers.

He played football for Everett Junior College, the U.S. Marine Corps and the University of Washington before becoming a coach at the University of Puget Sound.

Wallrof married an “Island girl” in 1979 and commuted to Tacoma for his coaching job until he retired in 1994. He said he took up golf but wasn’t very good at it and jumped back into what he knew and loved: coaching football.

He coached at both Vashon High School and McMurray High School, alternately, before deciding what he really wanted was to coach the little guys. So last year, Wallrof became a coach for the youngest players — third- and fourth-graders in the Vashon Pirate Youth Football program.

Last year, the program had 36 kids, and it is in its fourth year.

Wallrof explained why the program is a worthy cause. Costs the program incurs include league fees, rental fees and bills to keep the lights on at night.

“First of all, we’re trying to establish a mentoring program with the high school,” he said. “And we’d like to have dinners with them. On Wednesday nights, they have dinners, and that costs money.”

The program also needs more equipment and updated equipment for games.

“We want to make sure our kids get the best, and we want to get them protective gear,” Wallrof said.

He added that money raised will go towards scholarships for kids who want to participate in the program but can’t afford it.

Wallrof, father of three daughters, never had a footballer offspring of his own, but he’s coached many others to success.

Jim Martin, along with Lance Morgan, are this year’s co-mayors, for the cause of Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball.

“I’d like to see a lot of people step forward and volunteer to be unofficial mayor,” Martin said.

He added that the position is a nice one, and the community treats its mayors well.

“People have been so nice,” he said. “A lot of people have been very courteous and very kind. We have a very stunning community, irreplaceable, even though we march to a different drummer on occasion.”

And as for his thoughts on Big Wally? Martin has decided to endorse him.

“He’s a great guy, with outstanding energy to help the community,” Martin said. “I’m all for him to be the unofficial mayor.”