TACOMA, Wash. — GoLutes.com continues to highlight the eight individuals from the 2024 Pacific Lutheran University Athletics Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted on Saturday as part of the 33rd induction class. Today's installment features football standout Chad Barnett.
Barnett didn't need to travel far to find a college home, as the Tacoma native and Fife High School graduate made the decision to stay in the area and play for a University that was a powerhouse on the gridiron and in the classroom.
"I chose PLU because of the combination of strong academic and athletic history. Though I didn't know it at the time, having the chance to play for Frosty Westering was a once in a lifetime experience. It was a program that changed my life and has had a lasting impact on many generations after," said Barnett.
Barnett redshirted as a first-year in 1989 but made his presence felt on the field the following season, securing First Team All-Columba Football Association and Honorable Mention Little All-Northwest accolades as a returner, racking up 1,224 all-purpose yards and scoring six touchdowns for a Lute team that made the second round of the NAIA Division II playoffs.
The running back and returner scored 18 touchdowns as a sophomore, helping the Lutes make a run to the NAIA Division II National Title game while earning First Team All-CFA and Second Team Little All-Northwest honors.
Barnett scored 12 touchdowns as a junior in 1992, helping PLU win the CFA – Mount Rainier League and advance to the second round of the NAIA playoffs. Barnett again was named First Team All-CFA and was Second Team Little All-Northwest with 1,056 all-purpose yards.
As a senior, Barnett scored touchdowns on the ground, in the air, on special teams, and even threw for another, as the Lutes won another league title and ended the season as NAIA Division II National Champions. Barnett was spectacular in his final season, racking up 2,036 all-purpose yards and setting an NAIA Division II national record for most punt returns. He finished the year as a First Team All-CFA selection as a running back while also earning Second Team All-CFA as a returner and was an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American.
A four-time All-Conference honoree, Barnett finished his career with still standing school records for career touchdowns (57) and career scoring (346). Barnett enjoyed a 41-6-1 record on the gridiron, making four trips to the NAIA playoffs, winning two league titles, playing in two NAIA title games, and winning the 1993 NAIA Division II national crown.
Barnett was also a part of history in 1991, traveling with the Lutes to China for what was believed to be the first ever American football games in the country.
"My favorite memory was sophomore year having the opportunity to travel with the PLU football team to play three exhibition football games in China and winning the National Championship my senior was the cherry on top."
While Barnett scored a lot of points, won a lot of games, and received plenty of awards, learning from legendary coach Frosty Westering has stood out the most from his time at PLU, as the lessons learned continue to guide Barnett to this day.
"All of the many lessons that I learned from Frosty Westering, I have been fortunate to pass onto my family. Practical lessons of goal setting along with an understanding of purpose and direction have been a compass throughout my life."
Barnett graduated with a degree in science. He currently serves as an area business leader for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Barnett has been married for 29 years to fellow PLU graduate Carolyn and has three adult children— Carson, Cody, and Callie. Carson and Cody both followed in Barnett's footsteps and played football at PLU and are married to Lute alums.
"My kids grew up watching PLU football and experienced first hand Frosty Westering's impact. They later chose to carry the torch and play football at PLU under the leadership of Scott Westering as well as
Brant McAdams. Frosty's legacy still lives on in my family and for many generations to come."
