Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication
 

TACOMA, Wash. - This is the final of three weekly installments profiling the six individuals who will be inducted into the Pacific Lutheran University's Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 14 in the Chris Knutzen Hall at 11:30 a.m. This week's edition features a 22-time All-American swimmer Tareena (TJ) Joubert and baseball pioneer O.T. Harstad.

Tareena (TJ) Joubert (Swimming, 1986-1990)

An All-American all four years on the team, Tareena (TJ) Joubert enters the Hall of Fame as one of the most decorated female swimmers in PLU history.

Joubert earned NAIA All-American accolades on 22 occasions in the pool, helping the powerhouse Lutes swimming program finish among the top five in the nation all four years.

Joubert made an immediate impact for the Lutes, placing fourth at nationals in the 200 individual medley and the 200 breaststroke as a freshman while earning All-American honors in two more events, helping Pacific Lutheran finish fifth at the NAIA Championships while earning the team's most improved and rookie of the year awards.

She continued to rack up All-American certificates as a sophomore, helping the team place fourth at Nationals before helping the team climb to third as a junior, earning All-American honors in eight events, including third place showings in the 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay. She capped off her illustrious career by earning All-American status in seven events as a senior, guiding the Lutes to a fourth place finish. Joubert was voted as most inspirational three times during her time on campus, while establishing school records in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke along with several relay events.

An athletic pioneer at PLU, Dr. Oscar Theander Harstad "O.T." was one of the original standouts during the athletic department's formative years in the early 20^th century.

O.T. was born in 1892 in Parkland, the eighth of eleven children in PLU's "first family," that of its first president, Bjug Harstad.  He grew up with Pacific Lutheran Academy as his home and as a youngster played "pick-up" games with shared gloves and baseballs made of knitted socks.  Between 1908 and 1910, he and his brother Oliver, helped to organize the first competitive PLA baseball team playing other nearby colleges, high schools and local teams. O.T. started as a third baseman, but became a right-handed pitcher with a remarkable fastball.  It was not long before local scouts noted his talents.

He started his semi-professional career in 1912, making the major leagues in 1915 after signing with the Cleveland Indians.  While playing professional baseball, he worked as a carpenter and other jobs to help support himself.  O.T. Harstad pitched in 32 games for Cleveland, both as a starter and reliever, outdueling Baseball Hall of Famer Walter Johnson for his first major league win while legendary Ty Cobb was the first batter he faced. Harstad's record was 3-5 as a starting pitcher, with an ERA of 3.48 and 35 strikeouts.  As a reliever, he pitched 82 innings. Unfortunately, injuries shortened his professional baseball career but he spent the next several years balancing college with playing baseball in the minor leagues.

O.T. became a dentist after his playing days and spent over 50 years in the profession before passing away in 1985.

Last week GoLutes.com profiled Brenda Dobbelaar Morris and Terry M. Ludwig while the series started with profiles on Jennie Hershey and Steven Welch.