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Brenda Dobbelaar Morris (Softball, 1990-1992)
One of the most feared hitters in program history, Brenda Dobbelaar Morris’s accomplishments have stood the test of time, still owning school single season marks for hits (69) and doubles (22) from her 1990 campaign with the Lutes.
A two-time NAIA All-American, Dobbelaar Morris helped the Lutes secure three straight NCIC Championships while going on to win the NAIA National Championship in 1992. The shortstop hit .422 in her career for the Lutes, was twice named to the NAIA All-National Tournament Team, and was a First Team All-NCIC honoree.
In 1990, Dobbelaar Morris led the NAIA in doubles with 22 and was ranked 14th in the NAIA in hits per game with 69 in 48 games, helping PLU finish 11th as a team in batting average, and more importantly, guiding the squad to a 40-8 record, winning NCIC and Tri-District Championships en route to a runner-up finish at the NAIA Tournament.
Dobbelaar Morris was a First Team All-American in 1991 before helping the Lutes secure the NCIC, District I, Bi-District, and NAIA National Championships in her final season in 1992. Dobelaar Morris was also a member of United States National Team for the Pan American Games, helping the team secure Gold in 1991.
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O.T. Harstad (Baseball, 1908-1911)
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 20th 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.
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Jennie Hershey (Women's Soccer, 1991-1994)
A three-time NSCAA and NAIA All-American, Jennie Hershey anchored a nearly impenetrable defense in the early nineties, leading the Lute women’s soccer team to a pair of NCIC and West Region Championships and the 1991 NAIA National Championship.
Hershey suited up for a defense that posted 15 shutouts in her freshman campaign, posting an 18-2-4 record en route to NCIC, NAIA District I, and NAIA West Region Championships while allowing no goals in the national tournament to claim the 1991 NAIA National Title.
The defender helped the Lutes repeat as NCIC, District I, and West Region Champs in 1992, posting 12 shutouts on their way to a runner-up finish at the NAIA Championships. Hershey finished 1992 as a First Team NSCAA All-American and an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American while earning First Team NSCAA All-West Region and NAIA All-West Region accolades.
Hershey tallied Second Team All-American honors by both the NSCAA and NAIA in 1993 while also securing NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete and ISAA Scholar-Athlete honors and was All-West Region (NSCAA and NAIA) NAIA All-District and All-NCIC.
She was named the NCIC Player of the Year as a senior, also securing First Team NSCAA All-American and Honorable Mention NAIA All-American laurels in addition to earning Scholar-Athlete distinction from both the NAIA and ISAA. The defender left campus with 61 career wins and 44 clean sheets.
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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.
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Terry M. Ludwig (Swimming, 1971-1973)
Immortalized in the NAIA record books for a Herculean performance at the 1973 NAIA Championships, Terry M. Ludwig enters the PLU Hall of Fame as one of the most decorated individuals in men’s swimming history.
Ludwig earned a trifecta at the 1973 NAIA Championships, winning individual national championships in the 200-, 500-, and 1,650- freestyle races, tying an NAIA record for titles at a single championship, a record that still stands to this day. Ludwig’s heroics helped the Lutes finish third in the team standings, PLU’s highest ever finish at the national championships.
Ludwig was more than a one meet wonder, earning All-American laurels on five occasions while helping PLU dominate the Northwest Conference Championships. Coached by Gary Chase, Ludwig and the squad, dubbed Chaser’s Racers, racked up three NWC team titles while individually Ludwig won 10 NWC Championships in six different events, including three-straight crowns in the 800 freestyle.
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Steven Welch (Football, 1983-1986)
Elusive on the gridiron, Steven Welch’s accomplishments are far less elusive to find in the PLU record books, still owning the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown while dotting the single season lists in several categories for his prolific senior campaign in 1986.
The 1986 NAIA All-American recorded a touchdown catch in 15 straight games, an impressive streak spanning from 1984-1986, while becoming just the second Lute in program history to amass over 1,000 yards receiving in a single season. Welch netted 1,039 receiving yards as senior, scoring 17 touchdowns and 106 total points. All three of those marks still rank among the best ever in the storied history of PLU football.
A team captain, Welch earned First Team Little All-Northwest, All-Columbia League North, and Columbia League North Offensive MVP honors in 1986, rebounding from an injury shortened 1985 season that was cut short after netting 300 yards and five touchdowns. While on campus, Welch helped the Lutes win Columbia Football League Championships in both 1985 and 1986. Currently, Welch still sits second all-time in single season touchdown receptions, sixth all-time in single season touchdowns and scoring, and seventh in receiving yards.
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