Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

GEORGE ANDERSON
(Football, 1940-42)

George Anderson was another member of Coach Cliff Olson's All-Time Pacific Lutheran team, named as a first team tackle. Anderson played football at Pacific Lutheran College from 1940-42, earning All-Washington Intercollegiate Conference honors in both 1941 and 1942. Of Anderson and Kyllo, Olson said, "Both were big guys, well over six feet and hitting 210-220. Both were smashing and smart in their positions." Anderson, a 1943 Pacific Lutheran graduate, taught science in Vaughn, Gig Harbor and Snohomish public schools for 36 years before retiring in 1979.

Tami Bennett was a small athlete who made big waves for the Pacific Lutheran swim team. Bennett earned All-America three straight years, placing in the top six in both the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly at the national championship meet from 1977-79. Her top finishes in the two events came in 1978 when she placed second in both.That same year, she helped the 200 freestyle relay team to a second-place performance as well. In all, Bennett earned All-America honors 10 times. Bennett's 2:08.83 clocking in the 200 butterfly in 1978 was the oldest women's school record on the books until it was broken this year. A 1979 graduate of Pacific Lutheran, Bennett works at the University of Washington Medical Center as a technician for the Lions Eye Bank, in addition to writing for the Northwest Asian Weekly.

CURT GAMMELL
(Men's Basketball 1962-66)

It's a little known fact that Curt Gammell chose Pacific Lutheran over a recruiting offer from UCLA and legendary coach John Wooden. Gammell's decision was a boon for the PLC program from 1962-66. He is one of only nine players in the history of the program to score at least 500 points in a single season, registering 518 while averaging 19.2 points per game as a senior. That same year he led the Lutes with 13.2 rebounds per game, little wonder he was honored as an NAIA first team All-American. He was a third team All-American as a freshman in 1963. Gammell, a 6-6 forward, twice led the Lutes in scoring (the other two years finishing behind all-time scoring average leader Tom Whalen) and three times in rebounding. Gammell is the fourth-leading career scorer at Pacific Lutheran with 1,695 points, a 16.3 scoring average, and never averaged less than double-figure scoring in a single season. Amazingly, the same can be said about his rebounding. His career rebounding average of 12.0 per game ranks second on the all-time Pacific Lutheran list.

ERLING JURGENSEN
(Football)

Erling "Snooky" Jurgensen was the starting fullback for the Gladiators in 1937-38, serving as captain of the 1938 squad. He was named to Coach Cliff Olson's All-Time Pacific Lutheran Second Team, behind only current PLU Hall of Famer Marv Harshman. "If you needed a couple of yards, fourth down and goal to go," said Olson of Jurgensen, "I can't think of anyone I'd rather hand the ball to than Snooky." Jurgensen graduated from Pacific Lutheran in 1939.

ELDON KYLLO
(Football, 1941-42, 1946-47)

Eldon Kyllo played for the Gladiators in 1941-42 and 1946-47 and was named to Cliff Olson's All-Time Pacific Lutheran football team as a tackle. During his first stint with the Gladiators, Kyllo practiced against fellow 1995 Hall of Fame inductee Anderson. The work paid off for him in 1946-47, when he helped anchor an outstanding line. Kyllo earned All-Washington Intercollegiate Conference accord both seasons, including first team honors in 1947. As a senior, Kyllo was also a Little All-America selection and was voted by his teammates as the Inspirational Award winner. Kyllo served five years of active duty as an airplane navigator during World War II and the Korean War. A 1948 graduate of Pacific Lutheran, Kyllo was as a teacher and administrator in the Franklin Pierce School District from 1953-81, and in international schools in Manila, Philippines and Lome, Togo from 1981-91.

Steve Ridgway earned numerous honors while patrolling the defense from 1973-76 as a linebacker for Coach Frosty Westering's Lutes. Ridgway was the first player to earn NAIA District I all-star honors four straight years and three times was named all-conference and All-Little Northwest. Ridgway was an NAIA honorable mention All-American in 1975 and 1976, and a second team AP Little All-American as a senior. He received the 1977 Jack Hewins Senior Athlete Award. A two-time captain, Ridgway compiled impressive career statistics. He is credited with 592 tackles (primary and assists), three interceptions, 21 pass break ups, five fumble recoveries, and most amazingly for a defensive player, four touchdowns. Several of those are still believed to be Pacific Lutheran records. Ridgway graduated from Pacific Lutheran in 1977 and is in the ministry.