Hall of Fame Registration
TACOMA, Wash. - This is the fifth of six installments profiling the six individuals who will be inducted into the Pacific Lutheran University's Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4 in the Chris Knutzen Hall at 11:30 a.m. Today's installment features football standout Jeff Elston who terrorized opposing offenses from 1982 to 1985.
Elston helped the Lutes win two conference titles during his four seasons on the gridiron and was a two-time All-American, earning First Team honors as a senior. His 27 career sacks still ranks sixth all-time in program history.
A Tacoma native, Elston chose to attend PLU due to the college's proximity to home. Initially, Elston decided to focus on academics and was not a member of the football team during his freshman year. That changed during his second year, however, as his academic performance weakened without the presence of athletics in his life, and Elston joined the PLU football team.
"What I didn't realize until that year was that being involved in athletics was a big part of why I was successful in the classroom. With no sports, I had too much time on my hands and of course wasted it," Elston said. "However, when I made the decision to play football in my sophomore year, my grades immediately improved and sustained a high level through my graduation from PLU."
As a member of the football team, Elston had the amazing opportunity to travel abroad to the south of France during the summer of 1984. The team played a series of games against a military team in Nice along with many team-building activities put on by the then PLU football coach.
As stated by other Hall of Fame members, Elston cited goals and discipline as being primary influences on his success in both academics and athletics. Specifically on the PLU football team, Elston discussed Head Coach Frosty Westering's program of setting daily, weekly, and extended goals for both individuals and the team as a whole which Eltson still does today.
"Having the discipline to "walk your talk" and follow through with action is a skill that was developed at PLU. Related, I would add the word "grit", the ability to work through the challenges of life to keep moving forward towards the goal," Elston said. "These are all great lessons that I learned as a student athlete and regularly apply to my life today."
Now living in Issaquah with his family, Elston works at his successful real estate company headed by himself and PLU alum Rolf Hogger. In addition to his company, Elston manages accounts for Corporate Visions.
Elston's love for football and sports shines as he enjoys cycling, skiing, and other outdoor activities. As Elston's youngest son discovers his own passion for sports, Elston treasures being his coach and teammate.
From not expecting to play sports in college to being inducted into the PLU Hall of Fame, Elston's career as an athlete helped shape him into the successful father, business owner, and leader he is today.
