LINFIELD UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL VERSUS WILLAMETTE • NOVEMBER 15, 2025

WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

your

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Scott Brosius

STADIUM MANAGEMENT

Casey Powell

Jake Hoskins

Linfield Baseball Team

STREAK STREET

Jessica Hollen

Beth Garcia

Botten’s Equipment Rental

CONCESSIONS

Casey Bunn-Wilson

Jamie Vasas

Women’s Basketball Team

Softball Team

COMMUNICATIONS

Kelly Bird, Chase Fisk

Joe Stuart, Kip Carlson

STATISTICS

Brad Hill, Chase Fisk, Charles Dayton, Kip Carlson

CLOCK, SCOREBOARD

Richard Dredge, David Dredge

Zach Goddell

VIDEO DISPLAY BOARDS

Kelly Bird, Eric Albios, Katie Putnam, Vern Johnson

CAMERAS

Riggs Towle, Wyatt McClory

Wyatt Zagyva, Tyler Shuter

PUBLIC ADDRESS, SPOTTER

Steve Oleson, Mickey Johnson

TICKETS

Mary Jo Nichols, Deanna Fairchild, Suzanne Coggeshall, Jolene Bird, Robin McClendon, Leslie Hayward

GAME PROGRAM

Kelly Bird, Felip Unker, Kip Carlson

willamette at Linfield

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

2

Hours of perfecting the art of punting is enabling junior Cade Johannsen to develop into one of the nation’s best at his position

HALL OF FAME HONOREE: a manda attleberger strahm

5

Amanda had made up her mind to sign as a softball pitcher at UNLV. But at the last minute, the former Columbia River High School star chose instead to become a Linfield Wildcat.

HALL OF FAME HONOREE: aaron boehme

20

It took three years of waiting before Aaron became the face of the Linfield football program as its All-America QB.

HALL OF FAME HONOREE: kevin schjei

21

His Linfield career began as a backup first baseman on the junior varsity but ended owning career batting records and his inclusion on the ABCA All-America baseball team.

HALL OF FAME HONOREE: billy maxwell

22

For over 50 years, Billy Maxwell supported Linfield Athletics through his generosity of time and dollars.

29 gone but not forgotten

The Linfield football program mourns the loss of former allstar tight end Jeff Earhart, who died tragically November 7 in a home accident at age 56.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Hours of perfecting the art of punting is enabling Cade Johannsen to develop into one of the nation’s best at his position

by Kalina zagyva ’29

“Punting,” says Linfield University football junior Cade Johannsen, “is a position where everyone hates you for your job, but if you do it correctly, everyone loves you. It’s like a placekicker.”

Now, in just his first season as a starter, Johannsen leads the Northwest Conference in punting average. His 44.4 yards per attempt also ranks third na-tionally in Division III statistics.

As a punter, Johannsen prides himself on “having the opportunity to flip the field, and help the defense out, which is huge.”

This past summer, the 6-foot-8, 230-pound athlete remained at Linfield’s McMinnville campus, practicing his punts each day. He credits his level of skill and technique to the coaching staff that devoted so much time to his progress, which has evidently paid off.

Regarding his goals for the remaining season, Johannsen aims to finish in the top five of the nation for punting, which could draw the notice of professional scouts.

“It’s always something that’s on my mind.” His kicking coach, Scott Cannon, a former Wildcats kicker himself, believes Johannsen has the necessary talent to play professionally, though Johannsen himself expresses some reservation, noting that “I really don’t know until I get there.”

Naturally, Johannsen finds himself consistently busy with the sports season, but when he’s off the clock from football and academics, he’s spending time with his girlfriend, Claire, a lacrosse player at nearby George Fox University.

“Claire means the world to me. When I’m not at practice, I’m usually somewhere between Fox and Linfield. We’re always doing something fun because we’re both athletes and we don’t see each other that often.”

On the field, Johannsen holds the mindset of pursuing mastery. The punter strives to improve each day by practicing his craft. Even outside of football, Johannsen consistently holds these values and has for many years.

Just prior to becoming a freshman at North Eugene High School, Johannsen’s father, Eric, was hired at his school as the football program’s special teams coach. At the time, football was not on Cade’s mind, but his father encouraged him to try out. Soon after, Cade says “Football stuck with me, I loved it. I’d never had a sports experience like that before,” despite being a three-sport athlete.

Throughout his time in high school, Johannsen played quarterback, kicker, punter, and even dabbled in defense.

As a junior and senior at North Eugene, he had lots of opportunities to grow into the player he is today, noting that “high school brought me to the position I’m at now.”

Eric Johannsen was the reason Cade began football in the first place. Eric himself played football at the University of Oregon as a wide receiver and kicker. Following his time as a student-athlete, Eric went on to coach at UO and at a handful of high schools across Oregon over the past 30 years.

Eric was Cade’s kicking coach for all four years of high school.

“Cade and I have spent countless hours practicing each off-season, both during his high school and college careers. We talk and watch film after every game, analyzing his performance for ways to improve.”

Eric comments on his son’s talent, both as his prideful father, but also as an objective coach.

“I’ve never seen someone punt the ball as well as he does. More importantly, though, Cade is such a kind-hearted person, he is the consummate teammate. He is genuinely selfless, always exhibits a positive attitude, has an intrinsic desire to work hard, and possesses unwavering support for those he plays with.

“I am beyond proud of my son, who he is as a person, and what he stands for, both on and off the football field.”

The respect is mutual. Cade credits his father for his success, saying “He taught me everything I know when it comes to football. He’s the guy who I FaceTime with whenever I’m struggling mentally or physically. His experience was passed down to me, and I just want to thank him.”

In the classroom, Cade is tackling a computer science major with the hopes of pursuing a career in cybersecurity. He aims to work for one of the tech power houses like Intel, Nvidia, or AMD.

“I’ve always loved computers, software, and technology,” he says.

His love stems from his experience during COVID when he bought his first computer. “I started to take it apart and I was really fascinated with the electronics and the bits and every little thing about the computer. I found out there was a computer science major and was like, alright, let’s give this a shot.”

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WILLAMETTE GAME NOTES

THE SERIES BETWEEN LINFIELD AND WILLAMETTE dates back to 1902, when the schools played to a 6-6 tie in McMinnville. Linfield leads the all-time series 57-36-3. With 96 previous meetings, the series is the most played in Linfield history, edging the 90 games against Lewis & Clark through the 2025 season … The Wildcats have won the last 9 meetings and 21 of the last 24 dating back to the 2000 season … The most recent game was in 2024 with Linfield winning 72-0 in Salem; the last game in McMinnville was Linfield’s 70-14 win in 2023 … Linfield has scored 70 or more points in four of the last five meetings … Willamette’s last win in the series was 31-28 in 2014 in McMinnville; Linfield had won the five previous encounters from 2009-2013 and also won seven straight from 2000-2006. The Bearcats’ last win in Salem was in 2007 by a 33-32 score … The Wildcats own a 3211-2 advantage in games played in McMinnville but trail 24-25-1 in games played in Salem … Linfield’s longest winning streak in the series was 14 games from 1969-1982. Willamette’s longest winning streak in the series was 17 games from 1927-1948 … Linfield’s widest margin of victory in McMinnville was 77 points, 77-0 in 2019; that tied 2021 for the Wildcats’ highest-ever score in the series and was their largest-ever margin of victory against the Bearcats. Linfield’s widest margin of victory in Salem was 72 points in the 2025 game; that was the eighth-largest margin of victory in Linfield football history … Willamette’s widest margin of victory was 48 points, a 48-0 win in Salem in 1948 and the Bearcats’ widest margin in McMinnville was 43 points, 43-0 in 1941.

LINFIELD EXTENDED ITS ALL-DIVISIONS RECORD for most consecutive winning football seasons to 69 by beating Lewis & Clark 29-21 in the seventh game of the 2025 season … what has become known as “The Streak” began in 1956 … during The Streak, Linfield is 560-125-10 for a winning percentage of .813. Linfield’s record at home during The Streak is 303-47-4 (.862), and at Maxwell Field it is 300-47-4 (.860) … Linfield’s Northwest Conference record during The Streak is 293-34-5 (.890). In all league games during The Streak, it is 344-46-5 (.877), which includes games from 1985-1995 when the NWC schools were part of the Columbia Football Association.

THE 2025 SEASON IS LINFIELD’S 110TH football campaign, dating back to 1896. The Wildcats’ all-time record is 664-27628 (.700) … Linfield’s all-time home record is 369-96-16 (.784), including a Maxwell Field record of 349-84-11 (.798) … Linfield’s all-time NWC record is 328-113-11 (.742) in 84 seasons dating back to the conference’s initial formation in 1926. In all league games, it is 379-125-11 (.747), which includes games from 19851995 when the NWC schools were part of the Columbia Football Association … Linfield has had unbeaten, untied regular seasons 22 times; the most recent was a 9-0 record in 2022.

SINCE THE START OF THE 2009 SEASON, Linfield is 154-24 (.865) overall, 133-11 (.924) in the regular season, 84-8 (.913) at home and 102-4 (.962) in NWC games … In that time, Linfield has won 13 NWC titles; 12 of those have been outright titles, including 2024 … Since 2009, Linfield has seven unbeaten regular seasons.

JOSEPH SMITH IS IN HIS 20TH YEAR as Linfield’s head coach; October 11’s 32-6 win over Pacific marked his 200th game as head coach of the Wildcats … Smith has an overall record of 17133 (.838), which is the highest winning percentage of any head coach in Wildcat football history … Smith’s record includes marks of 150-20 (.882) in the regular season, 115-8 (.935) in NWC games, 94-12 (.887) at home and 21-13 (.618) in the postseason … During Smith’s tenure, Linfield has won 13 NWC titles; 12 of those have been outright, including 2024 … During Smith’s tenure, Linfield has put together seven unbeaten regular seasons.

last meeting: october 5, 2024 Linfield 72, WILLAMETTE 0

Caleb Woodcock caught two touchdown passes and Blake Rybar made a game-high nine tackles to the 22nd-ranked Wildcats past the Bearcats at Salem’s McCulloch Stadium.

Linfield recorded its second straight shutout of the season and ninth consecutive win over Willamette dating back to the 2015 season. Willamette (2-2) could not find any rhythm offensively, finishing with 120 yards, including just 43 through the air. Linfield rolled up a season-high 523 yards, including a seasonbest 215 on the ground. The Wildcats forced five turnovers on the day. Linebacker Blaze Holani and cornerback Payton Anhorn each returned interceptions for touchdowns to further add to the Bearcats’ misery.

Linfield wasted little time in taking a decisive 21-0 lead in the opening quarter. With the game less than five minutes old, Luke McNabb ran 3 yards for a touchdown to cap a five-play drive. The Bearcats’ second possession ended in Holani’s 29-yard interception return to the endzone, and Aaron Martinez raced 65 yards for a touchdown two minutes later following a WU punt.

The teams traded punts before the Wildcats needed just four plays to more points as McNabb hooked up with Woodcock for a 32-yard pass play with 7:50 left before the break.

McNabb stretched Linfield’s advantage to 34-0, weaving his way for a 20-yard score with 4:55 left in the half. With 3:46 remaining, Anhorn picked off Bearcats QB Alex Rivera IV, returning the ball 34 yards to paydirt. Linfield then drove 35 yards in eight plays for another TD, a 5-yard pass to Jacob Slifka from Blake Eaton.

The Wildcats outgained the Bearcats 298-60 over the opening two quarters. Bearcat quarterbacks struggled to find open receivers, competing 6 of 16 passes in the first half.

Eaton completed 12 of 20 pass attempts for 176 yards and two TDs. McNabb was 5 for 7 for 119 yards and one score. Martinez finished as the game’s leading rusher with 78 yards on five carries.

Wildcats linebacker Blake Rybar was the game’s leading tackler with nine stops, including a sack. Johnny Miller added six tackles, including one for loss. Holani added five tackles.

Woodcock caught four passes for a game-high 121 receiving yards. Jackson Pfeifer had four catches for 51 yards while Maclain Stoneking collected three passes for 59 yards.

HEAD COACH JOSEPH SMITH

exceeding expectations

KIn 20 seasons as head coach, Joseph Smith has raised the bar even higher than the legends who came before him nown for a string of consecutive winning seasons that stretches back to 1956 as well as a bevy of conference and national championships, it seems not just anyone is capable of matching the high standards set forth by the Linfield football program.

Now in his 20th season as Linfield head coach, Joseph Smith developed his coaching persona in stages. It took root through an All-America playing career under Hall of Fame coach Ad Rutschman, then blossomed as a defensive coordinator on the 2004 NCAA Division III title-winning team. When Smith succeeded Jay Locey as head coach in 2006, he was more than ready to continue – and ultimately exceed – the winning standards set before him.

Smith owns a career record of 171-33, making him among the most successful program leaders in Division III. His career winning percentage of .838 tops the list of Linfield coaches, is third-best among active Division III coaches and stands 14th all-time across all three NCAA divisions. Perhaps even more remarkable is Smith’s glossy 116-8 career record versus conference opponents, a success rate of 94 percent.

A 13-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, Smith has guided the Wildcats to a 13 NWC championships, 13 NCAA playoff appearances and seven unbeaten regular seasons. In 2014, he received national acclaim when he was named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year.

Smith served as an assistant at Linfield for 13 years, including seven as defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2005. During his first season, the Wildcats finished 6-3, though two of the Wildcats’ losses came at the hands of Top 10 teams and the other was to a NCAA Division II program which enjoyed its best season in many years.

With Smith as defensive coordinator, Linfield finished No. 1 in the NWC in total defense and scoring defense four times.

LINFIELD COACHING CHRONOLOGY

During that span, the Wildcats went 60-6 and made five NCAA Division III playoff appearances. Linfield captured the 2004 Division III national championship with a 28-21 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor, a victory that was clinched by a defensive sack in the waning seconds.

The ’Cats won or shared six NWC titles from 2000 through 2005.

Smith served first as linebackers and defensive line coach before taking over as secondary coach and defensive coordinator.

A second team NAIA All-American in 1992, Smith was a fouryear starter at cornerback and a two-time first team all-conference selection. He earned national distinction as NAIA Division II Defensive Player of the Week in the opening game of 1992, helping Linfield upset second-ranked Pacific Lutheran. He finished his career with 16 interceptions, third-most in program history, and 168 tackles.

Smith was a senior on Linfield’s 1992 team that went 12-1 with its only blemish coming in a 26-13 loss to Findlay (Ohio) in the NAIA Division II national championship game. As a player, he helped the Wildcats capture consecutive CFA-Mt. Hood League championships in 1991 and 1992.

COACHING AND SUPPORT STAFF

WILLAMETTE BEARCATS

Calif.

19 Jonah Luhrsen WR So. 6-1 Sacramento, Calif.

20 Josh Houfek DB So. 5-11

6-1 Tacoma, Wash.

22 Braden Ovitz DL Sr 6-3 Orland, Calif.

23 Valor Munoz CB Fr 5-9 Antelope, Calif.

24 Konor Robinson DB Jr 5-10 Marcola, Ore.

25 Joseph Lafferre FS Fr 5-10 La Mirada, Calif.

26 Colby Ford F So. 5-11 Vacaville, Calif.

27 Isaiah Legate WR Fr 5-10 Fond Du Lac, Wis.

28 Masen Uribe RB So. 5-10 Renton, Wash.

30 Matthew Nichols CB Fr 5-10 Portland, Ore.

31 Joel Sanchez RB So. 6-1 Salem, Ore.

32 Daniel Cassidy MLB Fr 6-2 Long Beach, Calif.

33 Jamar Soaladaob CB So. 5-10 Salem, Ore.

34 Javi Rodriguez LB Jr 6-2 Gervais, Ore.

35 Nicky Gianni CB Fr. 6-1 Newport, Ore.

36 Richie Graham RB Fr 5-9 Roseville, Calif.

38 Wyatt Andler RB Fr 5-10 Portland, Ore.

39 Diego Medina CB Fr 5-10 Saint Paul, Ore.

40 John Williamson DE So. 6-1 Mission Hills, Calif.

41 Conley Moskot WR Jr 6-2 Thornton, Colo.

42 Cash Butler LB Fr 5-10 Turner, Ore.

43 Kyle Frick P So 6-2 Ellensburg, Wash.

45 Kylan Keeler LB So. 5-10 Diamond Springs, Calif.

46 Caden Dirnberger K So. 5-7 Missoula, Mont.

47 Alan James OL Jr 5-11 Bellevue, Wash.

49 Nick Beswick-Seidl PK Sr 5-9 Boise, Idaho NO. NAME

51 Johnhenry Hankins DL So. 5-11 Salem, Ore.

52 Mason Black OL Jr 6-3 Suquamish, Wash.

53 Odin Uria NT Fr 5-10 Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

54 Matthew Rosas OL Fr 5-10 Baldwin Park, Calif.

55 Brayden Duke LB Sr 5-9 Prineville, Ore.

56 Parker Hisey OL Sr 6-1 Renton, Wash.

59 Sebastian Jimenez OL Fr 6-2 Whittier, Calif.

61 Jordan Lipson OL Fr. 6-0 Salem, Ore.

63 Julien Rivera OL So. 6-1 Los Angeles, Calif.

66 Nicholas Castillo OL Fr 5-10 Citrus Heights, Calif.

71 Aaron Wilson OL So. 6- San Carlos, Calif.

72 Noah Munoz OL Fr 6-1 Antelope, Calif.

75 Ryland Hawkins OL So. 6-2 Los Angeles, Calif.

82 Terry Sherman TE Sr 6-3 Lake Charles, La.

83 Ibrahim Alivov WR Fr 5-10 Scotts Valley, Calif.

90 Izaiah Siatuu DL So. 6-2 Mililani, Hawaii

91 Preston Duke DE Fr 6-2 Prineville, Ore.

92 Hriday Raj DL Sr 6-2 San Jose, Calif.

95 Enrike Aguilar DE Fr 6-3 Keizer, Ore.

96 Brandon Smith K Fr 5-10 Seattle, Wash.

98 Trevor Bailey DL Jr 6-0 Salem, Ore.

99 Owen Aguilar DE Fr 6-2 Garden Grove, Calif.

LINFIELD WILDCATS

HOMETOWN

1 Jackson Pfeifer RB 5-11 190 Jr./Jr. Silverton, Ore.

1 Bubba Preston S 5-8 155 Sr./Sr. Kaneohe, Hawaii

2 Dane Meddaugh WR 6-2 195 Jr./Jr. Gig Harbor, Wash.

2 J.J. Thompson CB 6-0 160 So./So. Vancouver, Wash.

3 Brady Crenshaw S 6-1 195 Jr./Jr. Lebanon, Ore.

3 Liam Christensen WR 5-10 205 Jr./So. Fall City, Wash.

4 Croz Lehnerz WR 6-4 185 So./So. Ashland, Ore.

4 Elijah Bright-Lee S 6-0 180 Fr./Fr. Nanakuli, Hawaii

5 Blaze Holani LB 6-0 225 Sr./Sr. Kaneohe, Hawaii

5 Cade Welch WR 6-1 185 Jr./Jr. Eugene, Ore.

6 Sean Emberlin WR 5-10 180 Jr./Jr. Camas, Wash

6 Hudson Reink LB 6-0 205 So./So. West Linn, Ore.

7 Luke McNabb QB 6-4 210 Sr./Jr. Scappoose, Ore.

8 Carson Mullins RB 6-0 223 So./So. Sherwood, Ore.

8 Scott Anderson LB 6-1 215 Fr./Fr. Glen Burnie, Md.

9 Max Kirsch M 6-1 190 Jr./Jr. Happy Valley, Ore.

9 Jayce Bareng WR 5-7 155 Fr./Fr. Aiea, Hawaii

10 Deacon Edgar M 5-11 195 Jr./Jr. Medford, Ore.

10 River Lien QB 6-1 215 Fr./Fr. Lynnwood, Wash.

11 Reid Gray CB 5-9 160 Jr./Jr. Damascus, Ore.

11 Ben Williams WR 6-4 191 So./Fr Snohomish, Wash.

12 Evan Daligdig QB 6-4 180 Fr./Fr. Wailua, Hawaii

12 Kenyon Johnson CB 6-2 195 Sr./Jr. Vancouver, Wash.

13 Nick Hudson QB 6-3 190 Fr./Fr. Eugene, Ore.

13 Dylan Iwanaga S 6-0 180 Jr./Jr. Portland, Ore.

14 Brandon Dean CB 5-8 160 Sr./Sr. Sandy, Ore.

14 Kai Laukkanen WR 5-10 175 So./So. Olympia, Wash.

15 Shavar Lambkin WR 6-0 180 Fr./Fr. Deerfield Bch., Fla.

16 Gavin Dalziel K 6-0 175 Sr./Sr. Brier, Wash.

16 Max Nowlin QB 6-4 215 Fr./Fr. Scappoose, Ore.

17 Hudson Hughes M 5-10 185 Fr./Fr. Stayton, Ore.

17 Caleb Woodcock WR 6-2 190 Sr./Sr. Yakima, Wash.

18 Iloa Kaio R 5-11 185 Fr./Fr. Kaneohe, Hawaii

18 Brandon Thornton WR 6-0 184 So./So. Eugene, Ore.

19 Ayden Fink R 6-1 195 So./So. Gig Harbor, Wash.

19 Eli Harrah WR 6-0 175 Fr./Fr. Scappoose, Ore.

20 Wyatt Abrigo LB 6-1 202 Fr./Fr. Gig Harbor, Wash.

20 Elijah Howard WR 5-9 150 So./So. Silverton, Ore.

21 Alex Atkins CB 5-11 167 So./Fr. San Mateo, Calif.

21 James Bethune RB 5-9 175 Fr./Fr. Vancouver, Wash.

22 Matthew Spurbeck RB 5-9 205 So./So. Sumner, Wash.

23 Paavan Bankston R 5-9 180 Jr./Jr. Yelm, Wash.

23 Aidan Andresen WR 6-0 170 Fr./Fr. Salem, Ore.

24 Hayden Eiguren LB 6-1 220 Sr./Sr. Beaverton, Ore.

24 Blake Ostrander RB 5-10 197 Fr./Fr. Olympia, Wash.

25 Carter Boise R 5-10 190 Jr./Jr. Spray, Ore.

25 Ferrill Johnson RB 5-9 200 So./So. Raymond, Wash.

26 Kellen Hicks S 6-1 180 Fr./Fr. Beaverton, Ore.

26 Dace O’Bagy RB 5-9 190 Fr./Fr. Vernal, Utah

27 Parker McKinney WR 6-3 204 Fr./Fr. La Center, Wash.

27 Makai Williams CB 6-1 175 Sr./Sr. Snohomish, Wash.

28 Trace Benner TE 6-3 215 So./So. Bend, Ore.

28 Kyle Holley R 6-0 180 So./So. Wheatland, Calif.

29 Ahi Freitas M 6-0 175 Fr./Fr. Waianae, Hawaii

29 J.J. Starnes WR 6-2 180 Fr./Fr. Seattle, Wash.

30 Cade Johannsen K/P 6-8 230 Jr./So. Eugene, Ore.

30 Caleb Hall WR 6-2 192 So./So. Sedro-Wooley, Wash.

31 Julian Thomas RB 5-7 170 So./So. Everett, Wash.

31 Ryder White LB 5-9 190 Fr./Fr. Clackamas, Ore.

33 Kellen Wiggins LB 5-10 205 So./So. Vancouver, Wash.

33 Cam Mattingly TE 6-2 225 Fr./Fr. Renton, Wash.

34 Malik Dawson RB 6-0 220 Fr./Fr. Seattle, Wash.

34 Jake Feist RB 5-11 190 So./So. Tigard, Ore.

36 Trey Dieringer LB 6-1 200 Jr./Jr. Scappoose, Ore.

37 Jakob Honda LB 5-8 190 Jr./Jr. Waimea, Hawaii

38 Joe Higuchi LB 5-7 185 Sr./Sr. Kaneohe, Hawaii NO. NAME

WT. YR./EL. HOMETOWN

39 Cougar Bailey DE 5-10 215 So./So. Salem, Ore.

40 Kanaan Huffman DE 6-4 245 Sr./Gr. West Linn, Ore.

41 Jaydon Kaio DE 6-2 220 Jr./Jr. Kaneohe, Hawaii

42 Connley Courtney TE 6-4 235 Jr./Jr. Happy Valley, Ore.

44 Chase Dersarkissian LB 6-0 230 Jr./Jr. San Marcos, Calif.

45 Tra Jenkins M 6-0 205 Fr./Fr. Longview, Wash.

46 Aedan Saele LB 6-1 230 Fr./Fr. Salem, Ore.

48 Tristen Waiamau-Galindo DE 6-3 230 Fr./Fr. Wai’anae, Hawaii

49 Brayden Copeland DE 6-3 205 Fr./Fr. Corvallis, Ore.

50 Lake Christensen LB 6-0 215 Fr./Fr. Ballard, Wash.

51 Connor Meholovitch DE 6-3 230 Jr./Jr. Glendora, Calif.

52 Cort Waggoner DT 5-11 255 So./So. Florence, Ore.

53 Conner Tompkins-Delacerda DE 6-1 225 Jr./Jr. Bothell, Wash.

53 Nic Fortney OG 6-2 300 Jr./Jr. Gig Harbor, Wash.

54 Ridge Huot C 6-2 250 So./So. West Linn, Ore.

55 Matua Whalen DT 5-9 267 Sr./Sr. Seattle, Wash

56 Tanner Relling OT 6-5 260 Sr./Sr. Eugene, Ore.

57 Benson Deibele DT 5-11 265 So./So. Portland, Ore.

57 Brody Hillman LS 6-3 220 So./Fr Seaside, Ore.

58 Hudson Holzhauer LB 6-0 220 So./Fr Stevenson, Wash.

59 Dawson Relling OT 6-2 250 Fr./Fr. Eugene, Ore.

60 Nathan Fillinger-Palotay OG/LS 6-1 270 Jr./Jr. Sherwood, Ore.

61 Hunter Harding OG 5-11 270 So./So. West Linn, Ore.

62 Jackson Murphy OG 6-2 275 So./So. Snohomish, Wash.

63 Preston Powers OG 6-0 270 Jr./Jr. Novato, Calif.

64 Christopher Keen DE 6-4 230 Fr./Fr. Deerfield Beach, Fla.

65 Tanner Thomas OT 6-3 270 Jr./Jr. Eugene, Ore.

66 Tristan Kieser OT 6-4 265 So./So. Sherwood, Ore.

66 Anthony Molina DT 6-1 280 Fr./Fr. Deerfield Beach, Fla.

67 Luca Carmichael OT 6-4 265 So./So. Benicia, Calif.

68 Keyz Amuro DT 6-0 300 Fr./Fr. Makawao, Hawaii

69 Jonathan Hinson C 6-5 339 Fr./Fr. Eugene, Ore.

70 Camden Ferguson OG 6-2 285 Jr./Jr. Lake Oswego, Ore.

71 Joey Massari OT 6-4 300 So./So. Lake Oswego, Ore.

72 Alex Bobadilla C 6-0 275 Jr./Jr. Redwood City, Calif

73 Howie Smith OT 6-2 275 So./So. Davis, Calif.

74 Jaden Nichols OG 6-4 300 So./So. Rochester, Wash.

75 Dylan Howell C 6-0 275 So./Fr Gresham, Ore.

75 Samuel Machado DT 6-3 240 Fr./Fr. Deerfield Beach, Fla.

76 A.J. Brown OG 6-0 290 So./So. Salem, Ore.

77 Will Burelle OT 6-6 350 Fr./Fr. Boise, Idaho

78 Cordell Prevett OG 6-6 320 Fr./Fr. Amity, Ore.

78 Axl Yarbrough DE 6-3 230 So./So. San Anselmo, Calif.

79 Tyler Alexander OG 6-1 295 Fr./Fr. Gresham, Ore.

80 Keola Correa WR 6-0 180 So./So. Kapolei, Hawaii

81 Riley Peterson WR 5-11 160 Sr./Sr. Damascus, Ore.

82 Tracey Tampellini WR 5-7 160 Fr./Fr. Deerfield Beach, Fla.

83 Chase McAuliffe WR 6-3 190 So./So. Merrill, Ore.

84 Cal Brandl TE 6-3 235 Jr./Jr. Mödling, Austria

84 Ayden Logan DE 6-3 230 Fr./Fr. Gladstone, Ore.

85 Kole Knott TE 6-3 215 So./So. Mount Vernon, Wash.

86 Jake Dillon TE 6-1 225 Fr./Fr. Tumwater, Wash.

86 Paddy Ryan DT 6-0 230 Fr./Fr. Portland, Ore.

87 Jace Swygard TE 6-3 220 So./Fr Lake Oswego, Ore.

88 Kooper Shields K/P 5-11 175 Fr./Fr. Walla Walla, Wash.

88 Jake Wallace TE 6-3 230 Sr./Sr. Happy Valley, Ore.

89 Owen Livingston K/P 6-0 190 Fr./Fr. Seattle, Wash.

90 Aidan Highberger DT 6-4 240 So./So. Sherwood, Ore.

91 Carter Nores DT 6-0 262 So./So. Bend, Ore.

92 Mitch Mahlum DE 6-3 240 So./So. Portland, Ore.

93 Camden Roofener DE 6-3 214 Fr./Fr. North Plains, Ore.

94 Cole Alva DE 6-3 235 Sr./Sr. Lincoln, Calif.

95 Jorden Reece DE 6-2 230 Fr./Fr. Kingston, Wash.

96 Xavier Orozco DT 6-0 255 So./So. Silverton, Ore.

98 Eric Murtagh DE 6-3 240 Jr./Jr. West Linn, Ore.

99 Gabe Erickson DT 6-3 260 Jr./Jr. Sublimity, Ore.

WHEN LINFIELD HAS THE BALL

WR WRWR TE LG RG LT C RT

LINFIELD offense

LT 59 Dawson Relling (6-2, 250, Fr., Eugene, Ore.)

73 Howie Smith (6-2, 275, So., Davis, Calif.)

LG 75 Dylan Howell (6-0, 275, Fr., Gresham, Ore.)

63 Preston Powers (6-0, 270, Jr., Novato, Calif.)

C 54 Ridge Huot (6-2, 250, So., West Linn, Ore.)

willamette defense

DE 51 Johnhenry Hankins (5-11, So., Salem, Ore.)

40 John Williamson (6-1, So., Mission Hills, Calif.)

NT 92 Hriday Raj (6-2, Sr., San Jose, Calif.)

90 Izaiah Siatuu (6-2, So., Mililani, Hwi.)

DT 1 Austin Payne (6-1, Sr., San Jose, Calif.)

62 Jackson Murphy (6-2, 275, So., Snohomish, Wash.)

RG 53 Nic Fortney (6-2, 300, Jr., Gig Harbor, Wash.)

74 Jaden Nichols (6-4, 300, So., Rochester, Wash.)

RT 67 Luca Carmichael (6-4, 265, So., Benicia, Calif.)

65 Tanner Thomas (6-3, 270, Jr., Eugene, Ore.)

TE 88 Jake Wallace (6-3, 230, Sr., Happy Valley, Ore.)

87 Jace Swygard (6-3, 220, Fr., Lake Oswego, Ore.)

WR 9 Jayce Bareng (5-7, 155, Fr., Aiea, Hawaii)

83 Chase McAuliffe (6-3, 190, So., Merrill, Ore.)

WR 2 Dane Meddaugh (6-2, 195, Jr., Gig Harbor, Wash.)

15 Shavar Lambkin (6-0, 180, Fr., Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

WR 17 Caleb Woodcock (6-2, 184, Sr., Yakima, Wash.)

5 Cade Welch (6-1, 185, Jr., Eugene, Ore.)

TB 1 Jackson Pfeifer (5-11, 190, Jr., Silverton, Ore.)

22 Matthew Spurbeck (5-9, 205, So., Sumner, Wash.)

QB 7 Luke McNabb (6-3, 208, Jr., Scappoose, Ore.)

10 River Lien (6-1, 215, Fr., Lynnwood, Wash.)

LINFIELD specialists

KO 89 Owen Livingston (6-0, 190, Fr., Seattle, Wash.)

PAT/FG 16 Gavin Dalziel (5-11, 188, Gr., Brier, Wash.)

P 30 Cade Johannsen (6-8, 230, So., Eugene, Ore.)

95 Enrike Aguilar (6-3, Fr., Keizer, Ore.)

LB 55 Brayden Duke (5-9, Sr., Prineville, Ore.)

45 Kyland Keeler (5-10, So., Diamond Springs, Calif.)

LB 11 Noah Reese (6-0, Jr., Albany, Ore.)

31 Joel Sanchez (6-1, So., Salem, Ore.)

LB 10 Palmer Smith (5-9, Jr., Prineville, Ore.)

25 Joseph Lafferre (5-10, Fr., La Mirada, Calif.)

LB 34 Javi Rodriguez (6-2, Jr., Gervais, Ore.)

99 Owen Aguilar (6-2, Fr., Garden Grove, Calif.)

CB 0 Jonjon Delgado (5-10, So., Miami, Fla.)

15 Brison Speakthunder (5-9, So., Salem, Ore.)

CB 21 Tyler Schoenrock (6-1, So., Tacoma, Wash.)

33 Jamar Soaladoab (5-10, So., Salem, Ore.)

S 20 Josh Houfek (5-11, So., Beaverton, Ore.)

30 Matthew Nichols (5-10, Fr., Portland, Ore.)

S 24 Konor Robinson (5-10, Jr., Marcola, Ore.)

23 Valor Munoz (5-9, Fr., Antelope, Calif.)

LS 57 Brody Hillman (6-3, 220, Fr., Seaside, Ore.) H 30 Cade Johannsen (6-8, 230, So, Eugene, Ore.)

McNabb (6-3, 208, Jr., Scappoose, Ore.)

(5-9, 150, So., Damascus, Ore.)

O’Bagy (5-9, 190, Fr., Vernal, Utah)

Gray (5-9, 150, So., Damascus, Ore.)

O’Bagy (5-9, 190, Fr., Vernal, Utah)

WHEN WILLAMETTE HAS THE BALL

R CBCB

LB DT DE DE DT LB

LINFIELD defense

willamette offense

DE 41 Jaydon Kaio (6-2, 220, Jr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)

98 Eric Murtagh (6-3, 240, Jr., West Linn, Ore.)

DT 57 Benson Deibele (5-11, 265, So., Portland, Ore.)

99 Gabe Erickson (6-1, 260, Jr., Sublimity, Ore.)

DT 55 Matua Whalen (5-9, 260, Jr., Seattle, Wash.)

90 Aidan Highberger (6-4, 240, So., Sherwood, Ore.)

DE 40 Kaanan Huffman (6-4, 245, Gr., West Linn, Ore.)

39 Cougar Bailey (5-10, 215., So., Salem, Ore.)

LB 5 Blaze Holani (6-0, 220, Jr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)

44 Chase Desarkissian (6-0, 230, Jr., San Marcos, Calif.)

LB 6 Hudson Reink (6-0, 205, So., West Linn, Ore.)

36 Trey Dieringer (6-1, 200, Jr., Scappoose, Ore.)

R 18 Iloa Kaio (5-11, 185, Fr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)

4 Elijah Bright-Lee (6-0, 180, Fr., Nanakuli, Hawaii)

CB 12 Kenyon Johnson (6-2, 192, Jr., Vancouver, Wash.)

27 Makai Williams (6-1, 170, Sr., Snohomish, Wash.)

CB 11 Reid Gray (5-9, 160, Jr., Damascus, Ore.)

23 Paavan Bankston (5-9, 180, Yelm, Wash.)

S 3 Brady Crenshaw (6-1, 195, Jr., Lebanon, Ore.)

1 Bubba Preston (5-8, 155, Sr., Kaneohe, Hawaii)

M 9 Max Kirsch (6-1, 190, Jr., Happy Valley, Ore.)

10 Deacon Edgar (5-11, 195, Jr., Medford, Ore.)

willamette specialists

K 49 Nick Beswick-Seidl (5-9, Sr., Boise, Idaho) 46 Caden Dirnberger (5-7, So., Missoula, Mont.)

43

Frick (6-2, So., Ellensburg, Wash.)

Brandon Smith (5-10, Fr., Seattle, Wash.)

LS

LT 59 Sebastian Jimenez (6-2, Fr., Whittier, Calif.)

52 Mason Black (6-3, Jr., Suquamish, Wash.)

LG 63 Julien Rivera (6-1, So., Los Angeles, Calif.)

72 Noah Munoz (6-1, Fr., Antelope, Calif.)

C 61 Jordan Lipson (6-0, Fr., Salem, Ore.)

54 Matthew Rosas (5-10, Fr., Baldwin Park, Calif.)

RG 54 Matthew Rosas (5-10, Fr., Baldwin Park, Calif.)

71 Aaron Wilson (6-0, So., San Carlos, Calif.)

RT 56 Parker Hisey (6-1, Sr., Renton, Wash.)

75 Ryland Hawkins (6-2, So., Los Angeles, Calif.)

TE 22 Braden Ovitz (6-3, Sr., Orland, Calif.)

47 Alan James (5-11, Jr., Bellevue, Wash.)

WR 13 Elijah Romero (5-10, Jr., Los Lunas, N.M.)

7 Aidan Butler (6-1, So., San Jose, Calif.)

WR 19 Jonah Luhrsen (6-1, So., Sacremento, Calif.)

2 Jordan Robinson (6-1, Jr., Richmond, Calif.)

WR 17 Trajan Clark (6-0, Sr., Davis, Calif.)

16 Kayden Gonzales (6-2, Sr., Ridgefield, Wash.)

RB 28 Mason Uribe (5-10, So., Renton, Wash.)

3 Jerrick Little (5-9, Jr., West Valley City, Utah)

QB 18 Luke Rasmussen (6-3, Jr., Woodland Hills, Calif.)

4 Alex Rivera IV (5-9, Jr., Laveen, Ariz.)

Munoz (5-9, Fr., Antelope, Calif.)

Romero (5-10, Jr., Los Lunas, N.M.)

Munoz (5-9, Fr., Antelope, Calif.)

AROUND THE NORTHWEST

CONFERENCEOVERALL

CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS

FOR 69 YEARS, LINFIELD HAS PRODUCED A WINNING TEAM on the football field. Holding the collegiate record for consecutive winning seasons for all levels of NCAA and NAIA, the Wildcats stand alone as the most consistently successful college football program in the nation. All but one member of the Linfield coaching staff, including head coach Joseph Smith, weren’t yet born in 1956 when “The Streak” began. That year, Linfield went unbeaten over its final six games, ending the run of back-to-back losing seasons of 1954 and ’55.

7.

“In

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LINFIELD ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

AMANDA (ATTLEBERGER) STRAHM

ATHLETE 2005 – 2008

Legendary Linfield coach Ad Rutschman often speaks about infamous “forks in the road” and how simple choices in life can have a profound impact on an individual, a sports program and a university.

Such is the case for 2025 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Amanda (Attleberger) Strahm, who had seemingly made up her mind to sign on as a softball pitcher at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. But at the last minute, the former Columbia River High School star chose instead to become a Linfield Wildcat.

Looking back, Amanda remembers “When signing day neared, I got a tri-fold flyer from Coach Jackson Vaughan. Now some 20 years later, I’m not sure why the flyer stuck out to me, but it did. Nonetheless, my Mom and I scheduled a visit to Linfield.

Jackson made it clear playing at Linfield would take hard work and dedication, but he wasn’t afraid to take a chance on a freshman as a starter. His affirmation and open-mindedness was what my young heart needed. I was sold on Linfield.”

What followed for Amanda was a long list of incredible accomplishments, including being a four-time first team allNorthwest Conference selection and three-time all-West Region honoree. She was a member of four Northwest Conference championship teams and key contributor on Linfield’s 2007 NCAA title-winning club.

Amanda was a fixture in the starting lineup on four consecutive NCAA playoff teams, two of which reached the championship finals. Her two home runs in the NCAA title-clinching victory over Washington-St. Louis helped ensure the softball program would capture the first women’s team championship in school history.

Amanda’s steady defensive play at first base and powerful offensive punch at the plate produced a dozen top-10 career records. She currently stands second all-time at Linfield in fielding percentage (.996), fourth in on-base percentage (.477), sixth in total bases (348) and seventh in home runs (31) and in games started (181).

In the single-season record book, Amanda shares the school record for best fielding percentage (1.000), ranks second in all-time walks (35), is third in triples (6) and seventh in slugging percentage (.833).

During her four years in a Linfield uniform, the Wildcats won 151 games, including winning a then-school-record 45 games in the storybook season of 2007.

As a freshman in 2005, Amanda’s Wildcats reached the regional playoffs but were eliminated after two close losses. The following season in 2006, Linfield fought off six straight elimination games to claim the regional title and advance to the NCAA Finals in Raleigh, North Carolina. Worn down by injuries and fatigue, the Wildcats went 2-2, eliminated after a onerun loss to Muskingum (Ohio). Amanda was one of two Wildcats to be named to the All-Tournament team.

In 2007, everything fell into place, though the Wildcats had to again stave off elimination multiple times to claim the national crown. Linfield’s hitting, pitching, defense and big-game experience all came together, building off the previous season’s shortfalls. Amanda was simply a force in the playoffs. At the Pineville, Louisiana Regional, she hit an eye-popping .529 with two doubles, three home runs, and a team-leading 10 RBIs. She followed that up with another impressive performance at the Division III Finals in Salem, Virginia, hitting .476 with a double, two homers, and five RBIs.

Good friend and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee Stephanie (Rice) Bragg says Amanda’s work ethic is what elevated her to becoming an elite athlete and teammate: “Countless hours spent out-of-season in the cage hitting, cross training, weight lifting, and maintaining focus on our team goals. As a team we had a unified mission and we were able to achieve this in great part because of Amanda’s dedication to the program. Her efforts are a foundational building block of Catball, which has become a legacy in NCAA Division III softball for over 20 years.”

When she graduated, Amanda held single-season records for home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, total bases, RBIs and walks.

Since earning a Linfield bachelor ’s degree in physical education in 2008, Amanda went on to complete a master’s degree in education in 2010. She taught school in Arizona for two years before deciding to follow her heart and pursue a career in neonatal nursing.

These days, Amanda is an antepartum and postpartum nurse in Medford. She and husband, Christopher, have been married for 13 years and are raising a 7-year-old son, Samuel, and a 4-year-old daughter, Magnolia.

LINFIELD ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

AARON BOEHME ATHLETE 2006 – 2010

Coming from a small high school in Washington state, 2025 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Aaron Boehme transformed himself from an unknown football prospect to a record-setting quarterback who piloted the Wildcats to 21 wins, two Northwest Conference championships and a national semifinal playoff appearance.

Aaron wasn’t an instant smash success and his path to stardom was not without its share of bad breaks along the way.

At Stanwood High School in Washington state, Aaron played quarterback and defensive back where he set single-season passing and tackles records as a senior. As the recruiting process got underway, he knew he wanted to be part of a winning culture and program. After watching a Linfield game in person at Maxwell Field, he began to see himself as a Wildcat.

Aaron was invited to be a preferred walk-on at both the University of Idaho and at Oregon. He was all but ignored by the Division II programs in his home state, the level at which he felt his football skills would fit best. Other than Linfield, only a handful of Division III programs sought him out.

Says Aaron “I was pretty set on Linfield for most of the recruiting process. I didn’t want to get lost in the shuffle of walking on at a big program. At the time, Linfield coaches Jim Nagel and Jay Locey really sold me on the idea that I would have a great shot to contribute at some point, and I was sold!”

His first two years at Linfield were spent waiting and watching as more experienced quarterbacks ran the offense. By the time he was a junior, he was primed to assume the role of starting quarterback. The Wildcats opened the 2008 season with a road game in Abilene, Texas, against a potent HardinSimmons squad. Early in the third quarter, Aaron scrambled for a first down and was tackled hard to the ground, snapping his collarbone and ending his season.

Aaron remembers how much it hurt emotionally, realizing he would have to sit on the sidelines yet another year.

“Finally I had my chance to imprint myself on the team. It was my team that year, and I had to wait for another calendar year. It definitely gave me hunger and an edge.”

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Aaron eventually became the face of the Linfield football program in 2009 and 2010, and many personal accolades naturally followed. Those honors included being named the 2009 Male Ad Rutschman Oregon Small College Athlete of the Year, D3football.com second team All-American, two-time

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Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and the two-time recipient of the Willis Baker Linfield Most Valuable Player award.

A scan of the Linfield record book shows Aaron holding seven top-10 singleseason passing records. His 405 pass attempts and 3,727 passing yards stand fourth all-time for a quarterback in a single season.

In the career record book, Aaron’s 86 combined rushing and passing touchdowns rank fourth all-time, his 65 TD passes rank sixth, and his 6,276 passing yards and 60.1 pass completion percentage both sit seventh on the career ladder.

Good friend and fellow quarterback Cole Bixenman remembers Aaron’s intense will to win and a desire to be great.

“His ability to diagnose and analyze the opposing defense and know our offense like the back of his hand made him an invaluable asset to Linfield’s football team on the field and for many more years after his playing career ended while he was a coach.”

Though he planned to major in computer science, Aaron quickly transitioned to majoring in mathematics with an education credential, setting the table for a career in coaching. After completing his bachelor’s degree in 2010, Aaron began a 12year career as a member of the Linfield football staff, coaching quarterbacks, receivers and eventually as the Wildcats’ co-offensive coordinator.

His football experiences continued after Linfield, playing in Europe for Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League, where he earned German Bowl Most Valuable Player honors while leading the Unicorns to a wild 48-44 victory in the league championship. That season, he led the GFL in passing with 4,965 yards, 59 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Aaron says the life lessons he learned while playing and coaching football at Linfield still resonate in his life today. Themes such as Balance, Finishing the Job, and Preparation.

“Being able to do the dirty work you don’t want to do and balancing that with enjoying life and making things fun. I always learned that it’s best to just get the job done. Don’t leave anything for the next person. At Linfield, we know how to prepare better than any other program.”

Aaron and his wife, Angelica, have been married for nearly 10 years and are raising two children, 8-year-old Huston and 5-year-old Elliott.

An accomplished pickleball player, Aaron works as a data analytics manager for Selkirk Sport, the No. 1 pickleball paddle brand in the country.

LINFIELD ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

KEVIN SCHJEI

ATHLETE 1999 – 2002

His college baseball career began in relative obscurity as a member of the Wildcat junior varsity squad. It ended in the spotlight with his inclusion on the 2002 American Baseball Coaches Association All-America team.

Today, smooth-swinging utility player Kevin Schjei joins yet another elite group of athletes and coaches with his induction into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame.

Kevin’s ability to play multiple positions allowed him to evolve as a baseball player and continue to raise his profile in the eyes of the coaching staff.

Kevin’s versatility was a game-changer, he says. “I came in as a first baseman and hit really well. However there were a bunch of guys in front of me. That year, our catcher left the program and I told Coach Joseph Smith to put me in at catcher. From there I could really show what my bat could do.”

His junior varsity performance was enough to earn him notice and land him a spot on the varsity squad the following season. Once Northwest Conference play rolled around, the coaching staff inserted Kevin into the lineup as the designated hitter, where amazingly, he hit .405 and went on to earn first team all-conference recognition.

His junior season began on an even better note with Kevin hitting over .500 through the Wildcats’ first 10 games. Then his season came to a crashing halt when he suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery. Up to that point, he had produced seven doubles, one triple, four home runs and 22 RBIs. He was sidelined for about three weeks, but returned to the lineup in the latter half of the conference schedule and finished the season hitting .419.

Fully recovered by the spring of 2002, Kevin returned to Roy Helser Field to record three single-season records for batting average (.446), hits (74) and doubles (15).

Kevin made his mark on the career record book as well. Now 23 years after his graduation, he continues to hold the alltime mark for best batting average (.430), while also ranking sixth for on-base percentage (.476) and slugging percentage (.611).

Those are pretty incredible accomplishments for a guy from tiny Aberdeen, Washington, population 16,000.

“I came to Linfield not knowing anyone. To be part of this program allowed me to meet lifelong friends quickly, which made the transition to school a lot easier. It was wonderful playing for Coach Scott Carnahan. He has so much experience in the baseball world from USA Baseball to all the years coaching at Linfield. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Carnahan calls Kevin simply the best contact hitter he ever coached in 26 seasons at Linfield. “The thing that Kevin was able to do was always stay on balance at the plate, staying level with his swing and hit to all fields with authority.”

The legendary coach remembers Kevin being a catalyst for the Wildcats during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

“Kevin helped elevate the performance of his teammates and was an outstanding practice player. He was steady and consistent and a great team member. Coaches and players

alike loved him. He had a great work ethic and was very coachable.”

Kevin says his arrival at Linfield can be credited to a fellow Linfield baseball all-star.

“My hometown, Aberdeen, is a small town, there’s not much recruiting going on in that neck of the woods. One of my high school baseball coaches was Paul Dean, the Linfield home run king and a 1990 graduate. He is the one who helped set up my trip to visit the campus and meet with Coach Carnahan. The rest is history after that.”

Looking back to that time, Paul remembers seeing key qualities in Kevin and knowing that he would develop into a great small-college student-athlete.

Says Paul: “I felt Kevin had the right makeup and mentality to be successful in college. I felt like he would thrive in the baseball program and academic environment at Linfield. I know what an impact Scott Carnahan and Jimmy Ray had on my life, so when a quality player and person like Kevin was finishing high school, I wanted him to have the same opportunity.”

Kevin remembers, “Growing up in a small town, moving to another state was a big move, especially not knowing anyone else attending Linfield. I’ve had to move multiple times to different cities and states. Knowing how to adapt has been very beneficial to me in my career.

“I also believe my Linfield business degree allowed me to get started with my first hospitality company and got me on the right track.”

That right track led Kevin toward a two-decade career in the Southern California tourism industry managing large-scale hotel properties. These days, he’s the General Manager at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa, a 4-Diamond boutique Marriott hotel.

Kevin is raising two teenagers, 15-year-old Camryn and 14-year-old Becker. Kevin fondly remembers his parents and grandparents faithfully driving from Aberdeen to McMinnville for every one of his games.

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LINFIELD ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

BILLY MAXWELL MERITORIOUS SERVICE

Reflecting back on the life of 2025 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Billy Maxwell is nothing short of inspiring. Billy passed away nearly 50 years ago, but his legacy as an unselfish volunteer, donor and lifetime Wildcat fan lives on to this day.

Growing up in the tiny Eastern Oregon farming community of Haines, he contracted polio while he was a young boy. Yet Billy never considered himself as handicapped and remained relentless in his effort to walk. Doctors told him, “You’ll never be able to walk.”

Growing up on his family’s ranch, he did his share of the hard work along with his all his siblings to bring in the harvest and manage all the ranch chores that were required.

Through his college days and middle age, he walked with a cane. His later years saw him transition to using a wheelchair.

The name Maxwell should ring a bell for those familiar with Linfield. Maxwell Field, the home of Linfield football and track & field teams since 1928, sits on land which Billy’s father, J.O. Maxwell, donated to the college.

For about a third of a century in the early to mid-1900s, J.O. Maxwell’s children or grandchildren were continuously enrolled at Linfield, according to “Bricks Without Straw,” the 1938 historical retrospective of the birth of Linfield entitled by Jonas “Steine” Jonasson. Of J.O. Maxwell’s 10 children, nine attended Linfield and family members estimate about half of them earned college degrees.

Billy started classes when the school was known as McMinnville College, and by the time he graduated in 1924, it had changed its name to Linfield College. He joined the Linfield Board of Trustees in 1929 and served in that capacity for nearly 50 years.

Billy earned a bachelor ’s degree in mathematics and initially taught math at McMinnville High School before becoming school principal at age 27, a position he held until 1946.

In 1941, he served as a farm labor assistant for the federal government and was one of the first to organize work platoons for that at one time had 2,900 workers helping with the fall farm harvest.

Billy admired athletes and attended Linfield sports events religiously. Seeing Billy near the west entrance to old Riley Gymnasium became an expected, natural sight.

Billy was the definition of a consummate Linfield sports fan. In his fandom heyday, you could depend on seeing Billy sitting in his car watching Wildcat football games on the roadway next to Maxwell Field. He attended Linfield baseball games on campus and, despite his obvious disability, helped drive Linfield teams to many away basketball and baseball games, too.

Former Linfield basketball coach Ted Wilson once said of Billy, “If his car wasn’t at football team practice, he had to have a pretty good excuse for not being there.”

Wilson’s statement sums up Billy’s dedication and attitude toward Linfield Athletics. The man was always around; rain or shine, win or lose, practice or play, Billy was there. He was Linfield’s No. 1 booster.

But Billy did more than just watch games. One of his favorite pastimes was serving as scoreboard and score clock operator at Linfield home basketball and baseball games for 54 years.

When he died in 1976 at age 73, Linfield lost one of its most loyal friends.

Not only did Billy give his free time to Linfield Athletics, he was an important financial donor and vocal fundraiser.

After he graduated, Billy and another donor paid the necessary guarantee to bring the men’s basketball team of Whitman from Walla Walla to McMinnville for two games in the 1925-26 season.

Forty-five years later when former track and field coach John Knight first arrived at Linfield, he was unhappy with the track facility, which was cinder at the time. Said Knight: “We needed an all-weather track and Billy helped make it a reality.”

Not only did Billy convince Knight to work on raising money for a new rubberized track, he volunteered to supervise the effort and launched the campaign by donating the first $1,000. The project was completed in 1972.

Billy’s commitment to his community extended beyond Linfield. The list of those he served includes:

•52 years as a member of the First Baptist Church;

•41 years as a member of McMinnville Kiwanis Club;

•25 years with the local Boy Scouts Troop;

•18 years as McMinnville High School principal;

•4 years as Yamhill County Assessor;

•and many years as President of the McMinnville Quarterback Booster Club.

In summing up Billy’s life at his 1976 memorial service, the Rev. Bernie Turner said “Some of us are handicapped. Billy simply was not.”

THE WILDCAT BAND

The Wildcat Band continues to support Linfield teams by performing a variety of musical tunes and bringing a fun atmosphere to events of all kinds.

Linfield students of all majors and skill levels are welcome to join the Wildcat Band. As a bonus, band members are eligible for up to $2,000 in scholarships and can earn paracurricular credit for participating. On average, the band rehearses five hours per week, with performances on nights and weekends during football and basketball seasons.

Leading the Wildcat Athletic Band is Joe Ready, who began at Linfield in the fall of 2024.

In addition to his role as Linfield’s band director, Ready is the principal tuba for the Portland Opera and has performed with orchestras in the Pacific Northwest.

Hoping to build the excitement and interest in the band over the next few years, Ready says, “My primary goals for the Wildcat Band are for all members to have fun performing music to the best of their ability, and to continue building camaraderie within the band and the Linfield community.”

HISTORY OF MAXWELL FIELD

Linfield’s beloved Maxwell Field and Memorial Stadium have a distinctive historic feel, yet offer fully modern amenities synthetic field, a polyurethane track, stadium lights, as well as new scoreboard, color video display and pressbox. More than 60,000 square feet of artificial surface was installed. Sand and granule-sized pieces of recycled rubber give the field the necessary cushion.

Maxwell Field has been the home to Linfield football and track teams since 1928. The sports venue has served as host for 26 NCAA Division III football playoff events since 2004 and has served as the host site of the 2005, 2011 and 2017 Northwest Conference track and field championships.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Linfield’s first sports field, circa 1896, was regarded as “the most satisfactory college athletic field in the state,” according to published reports of the time. When Melrose Hall was constructed on the site of the original sports field in 1928, the football team relocated to the southeast portion of campus. The “new” gridiron was named in remembrance of J.O. Maxwell, who donated most of the money necessary to purchase the property. A 700-seat covered stadium was erected along the west sideline.

Over the next two decades, football grew in popularity. At the time, the college had little money available to build a larger football grandstand. However, federal funding was available for construction of college dormitories. School officials, using a creative approach, combined the two projects and the result was Linfield’s one-of-a-kind football facility. In 1947, Memorial Stadium and the accompanying residence hall was completed and named in memory of the Linfield men who died in the service of their country during World War II. The concrete, wood and brick stadium was built with a covered seating capacity of 2,250. When combined with portable seating, capacity is about 4,000.

KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES

The most significant upgrade to the facility came in the summer of 2004, part of a $1.44 million facelift that was funded entirely by private donations and volunteer labor. The 2004 upgrade added new

NFL-sized field goal posts were put into place in each end zone, four Musco light towers were erected, and 25-second play clocks were upgraded. The finishing touches of the project included a complete demolition and reconstruction of the pressbox. For the first time, the pressbox is entirely enclosed, creating a buffer for statisticians, game operations personnel and members of the media.

RECENT ADDITIONS

In 2020, Maxwell Field welcomed the addition of the largest video board in Division III, a 60-by-30-foot electronic display panel at the northeast corner of Maxwell Field. The project was funded entirely through private contributions. In addition to presenting live video, the video board can display real-time football statistics and track results, as well as sponsor messages and spirit graphics.

Since the conclusion of the 2023 football season, an audio sources integration project was being undertaken, merging together the multiple audio feeds into a single control station. As the Linfield Sports Network evolved to not only stream live video, but also feed a live production facility serving both internal and external audiences, a unified audio system became an absolute must.

New for 2025 are two remote-controlled cameras mounted underneath the Memorial Stadium rooftop. The first camera provides video feeds to the coaches’ boxes and sideline tablets for instant review and feedback. The second camera provides a mid-field feed as one of five cameras integrating into the live webcast stream being produced by the in-house Linfield Sports Network.

IN MEMORY OF JEFF EARHART

The Linfield football family lost a beloved member last week.

Former all-star tight end Jeff Earhart died unexpectedly Nov. 7 when he fell from a ladder. He was 56.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, daughter, Ruby, and sons, Tanner and Treve, both of whom lettered in football and baseball while student-atheltes at Linfield.

Jeff Earhart lettered four seasons in football under Coach Ad Rutschman from 1987 until 1991. He was a teammate of both current Linfield head coach Joseph Smith and broadcast color analyst Gary McGarvie.

Smith offered his memories of his fallen teammate, whom his family remained close with years after their graduation.

“When I stepped onto campus, the big man that everyone walked carefully around was Jeff Earhart. He was dominating as a blocker, but also a great target at tight end. I may be biased, but he was the best tight end I have seen at Linfield.

“Jeff and Stephanie raised an incredible family as all three children are so excellent in all they do. It has been a privilege to

reconnect and be a part of their lives past college, as Tanner and Treve became close with my family through their friendship with my son, Wyatt. Getting to coach Jeff and Stephanie’s sons was an honor for me. Jeff was fiercely loyal, and the warrior spirit he possessed was inspiring to be around.

“We will greatly miss him, but I know the future will be better as Tanner, Treve, and Ruby will raise young Earharts that will possess the many great strengths of their grandfather Jeff.

McGarvie rembembers Jeff as being

“a leader that was always out in front working the hardest. In fact, I remember one time when assistant coach Chris Casey was talking to all of us about work ethic and commitment and he referenced how Jeff was working out July 4 when no one was there all by himself doing the little things to become better.

“It’s especially hard to lose someone with so much life left to enjoy,” said McGarvie. “My thoughts are with Stephanie, his, kids and his business partners, Bob Kumpula and Kelly Coste, who are also teamates of ours.”

THE TOPCAT CLUB

The Linfield University TopCat Club serves as a support organization to the 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams and the more than 500 students who participate in athletics each year. Each year, support from the TopCat Club is essential to maintaining and expanding each of these programs.

The mission of the TopCat Club is to provide students with an outstanding athletic and academic experience and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the overall Linfield athletics program.

At Linfield, we continually strive to improve programs and facilities so that our teams may compete at the highest level. Roughly 75 percent of the athletic department’s annual operating budget comes from the university’s general fund. The remainder is generated through a wide variety of external sources, including annual gifts to the Linfield TopCat Club.

To learn more about giving opportunities, please visit the TopCat Club website at www.linfieldtopcat.com.

SINCE 1920