PHOTO CREDIT: ELLEN M. BANNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Congratulations to Olympia native and North Thurston alum Kasey Keller on being named the Professional Sports Star of the Year at the 77th Seattle Sports Star of the Year banquet at Benaroya Hall on Wednesday night. Keller retired after last season following a 20 year career that took him to Europe’s top leagues and included the last three seasons with Seattle Sounders FC. He will join the Sounders broadcast booth for the 2012 season.

Read more about the awards on The Seattle Times and SportsPress Northwest which has some choice quotes from Keller’s speech including his plea to bring back the Sonics.