Kurt knows

Elliott among SUU’s Bo Jackson club

By DAVID DeMILLE
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

Even before the likes of Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders made it popular, the ability to play more than one sport at a high level has been a celebrated talent.
The image is one of the versatile athlete, an exceptional physical specimen with a unique ability to perform well in areas that, while similar, are still separate entities. There is a fascination with these multi-sport athletes, a flair that captivates and charms.
The point is simple: fans take notice, and regardless of what the sports are or how successful the athletes end up being, the very attempt to pursue two sports impresses. Fortunately for fans of SUU athletics, there are some of these athletes to watch.
While participating in more than one sport at the collegiate level isn’t quite as impressive as taking part in more than one on the professional level, it is still a poignant feat, and SUU fans are taking notice.
One of these multi-faceted athletes, sophomore Kurt Elliott, has been getting attention since the baseball season started because of his solid hitting, but also because of his talents in another area: Elliott was one of the SUU football team’s top tacklers last year, playing at defensive back for the T-Birds.
Elliott transferred to SUU from BYU, where he wasn’t allowed to play baseball. Now he is living his dream of playing both sports and seeing success, although the pursuit hasn’t always been easy. He imagined that playing two of his favorite sports in college would be fun, but he also acknowledges the difficulties.
“It’s hard going from one sport to the other,” Elliott said. “It’s been three years since I played baseball, so we’ll see how it goes.”
So far, so good. The outfielder is batting .250 in 12 games this season, with two homers, six RBI and a team leading .607 slugging percentage.
The endeavor has seen success thus far, but Elliott hadn’t planned on doing this all along. It took some prodding from his stepfather, former minor-leaguer Troy Rusk, to get the Gig Harbor, Wash. native back on the baseball diamond.
“It’s funny because I didn’t know if I wanted to play or not,” Elliott said. “My stepdad played professionally and played a big part in getting me back into it.”
Elliott was also a star on the football field, and in 10 games at defensive back he was fourth on the team in tackles with 52, including 26 solo. He also had three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble.
One problem with playing baseball is the missed practice time with the football squad. The gridders are well into the spring practices, and Elliott is missing time.
These days, being a college football player is virtually a 12-month-a-year obligation. Athletes in other sports experience the same challenge. There no longer is an “off-season” in college sports.
With the new coaching staff and new system being implemented, Elliot said he missed the practice, especially with the excitement surrounding the new staff, but was enjoying playing baseball.
“I’d like to be out there right now,” Elliott said. “It’s kind of hard. I need to be learning the new defense and practicing the new system. I’m excited for the football season. It’s going to be a blast.”

  

Kurt Elliott is one of SUU’s two-sport stars. Elliott, an outfielder for the baseball squad and a defensive back for the football team, is a transfer from BYU.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANNE McCONNELL / UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

Basically, playing two sports means when Elliot finally gets back out on the football field, he’ll be joining a group of guys who will have already been practicing or playing football almost every day for four months. Not to mention he’ll be battling for a place on the depth chart with no experience in the new coaching system.
Elliott was a two-sport star from the start and earned three letters in baseball and two in football at Gig Harbor High. He was an all-state and all-Northwest selection in both.
Most athletes able to play at the college level in any competition tend to focus on whatever sport they feel comfortable and concentrate on getting better in one area.
After looking at all the variables involved, the difficulty of playing two sports makes it easier to appreciate guys like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Not only have those two superb athletes played football and baseball professionally, but they have done so at an extremely high level. Jackson, in fact, was an all-star in both sports.
Those two are obviously exceptions to the typical rules that hold back other athletes, but the same could be said of Elliott. Being very good in one sport is difficult enough. Excelling in two is almost too much to ask.
Elliott said the keys to maintaining focus in two sports is discipline and mental strength.
“It’s a lot more mental than physical,” Elliott said. “It’s a lot easier to be committed to one sport and be able to concentrate on that. You really have to focus on what you’re doing.”