PORTLAND, Ore.– Long-time Portland Timbers icon Jim Serrill, known as “Timber Jim,” today announced he will retire from the organization after 12 seasons of entertaining fans at PGE Park from 1978-82 and 2001-07.

 

The Timbers will honor Serrill on April 17 at PGE Park when the team plays host to the Puerto Rico Islanders to open the 2008 USL First Division campaign. On April 17, Serrill will make one final appearance allowing fans to see the Northwest legend in action one last time.

 

“It is hard to imagine a better entertainer and ambassador for any team than Timber Jim,” said Merritt Paulson, owner and president of the Timbers. “We cannot thank Jim enough for his service here, and we look forward to his future involvement as a fan and a dear friend of the organization.”

 

"I have loved celebrating with Timbers community throughout the years,” said Serrill. “Words simply fall short in summarizing my experiences. I have truly been blessed."

 

Since the Timbers joined United Soccer Leagues in 2001, Serrill’s back flips, chainsaw and stunts have been an instrumental component of the fan experience at Timbers matches at PGE Park. He has created and continued several fan-favorite Timbers traditions, including sawing off a wood slab from a log following every Timbers goal and presenting the slice to the goal-scorer at the north end of the stadium after the match.

 

In 2007, Serrill was recognized with his own bobblehead and saw the creation of the Timber Jim Song Book to help fans learn the many popular songs and chants prominent at Timbers matches.

 

Serrill first began entertaining Timbers crowds in 1978 when the club was a member of the North American Soccer League. Starting out as just a fan, Serrill soon became involved in the game-day action after a phone call to then-Timbers general manager Keith Williams. Cutting off slabs from a log after every Timbers goal, he earned the moniker “Timber Jim,” and captured the hearts of fans with his high-flying stunts from rafters and light poles with his revved up chainsaw in hand.

 

With Serrill’s retirement, the Timbers have begun the search for a new icon/mascot for the upcoming season to help continue some of the team’s long-time traditions with Serrill, including the cutting of the log slab following goals. If interested in being the team’s icon, please contact Jadira Ruiz, director of promotions, at 503.553.5402 or jruiz@pgepark.com.

 

Serrill’s farewell celebration on April 17 kicks off the Timbers’ 15-match regular-season home schedule at PGE Park. Season tickets, starting at $142.50, and flex packages for the 2008 season are available by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555. For more information on season tickets, flex plans, group discounts or party suites, visit www.portlantimbers.com.