Lujan prepares at LV for life's blitzes

photo by Christian Velazco

Gabe Lujan, a senior business administration major, has played quarterback the last two seasons for the University of La Verne. While a senior quarterback at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, Lujan was named Offensive Player of the Year for San Diego County. Lujan wrapped up his career at ULV by leading the Leopards to two consecutive victories.

by Chrissy Zehrbach
Assistant Editor

A strong player on the field and a strong person off the field, senior Gabe Lujan has been a leading contributor to the University of La Verne football team.

Originally from San Diego, Lujan attended Castle Park High School, where he played not only football, but baseball and basketball as well.

"At a very early age, I just started playing sports all around," he said.

He started playing football at age 10 and gives his two older brothers credit for influencing him to start playing. Their examples encouraged him to continue to play in college as well.

After high school, Lujan went to Palomar junior college in San Diego. He transferred to Florida A&M the following year before ending up at ULV.

"He's had a long road to get here, but he's worked hard to get here and done a nice job in school," said head football coach Don Morel.

Lujan is working toward a degree in business administration. He would like to go into real estate, either lending or selling. He has many options open for him.

"Gabe is one of the most conscientious players we've had at La Verne," Morel said. "He is kind and considerate, and I think he really takes into account the feelings of others more than your average college male."

Lujan has been a starting quarterback with the Leopard squad and been a great contribution to the team since he transferred in his junior year,.

"Gabe has helped us by fully adjusting to our system, and I do believe Gabe is capable of throwing for 2,000 yards in a season or running for 1,000 yards if we were that type of offense," Morel said.

In eight games this season, Lujan rushed for a total of 208 yards. In the season opener against Pomona-Pitzer on Sept. 7, he had a 43-yard dash for a touchdown. The Leopards won that game 17-16.

Lujan completed 47 passes this season, totaling 601 yards. Even though the Leopards do not have a passing offense, Lujan averaged 13 yards per completion.

Morel said that, based on Lujan's statistics, he contributed about one third of the total offense when he was in the game with an average of 84 total yards per game, including rushing and passing.

Lujan believes the team's biggest accomplishment this year was winning its last two games of the season.

The Leopards defeated Chapman 29-21 on Nov. 9 in Orange and Occidental 24-22 on Nov. 16 at home to close the season.

Lujan said the team was not sure if they would continue playing games to finish the year after Rollie Dykstra was seriously injured in the Homecoming game on Oct. 19.

"Rollie was not only an inspiration for me toward the end of the year, but who he was as a person made an impact on me. He'll be a part of me for the rest of my life," he said.

The team was able to overcome the challenges of the season, however, and end the year on a high note.

The Leopards finished the season 3-5 overall with a 1-4 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record.

"This year's team was more hardworking than last year's. We were more resilient," Lujan said. "There were a lot more obstacles this year than last."

Lujan admits the season was tough, but looking back, he says, with all said and done, it was worth the challenge.

"It feels good to look back through all that went on, and we still made it through," Lujan said.

Morel describes Lujan as a leader, who leads by example, and a competitive player who takes direction and criticism well.

"He really did a super job for us, doing whatever he could to help the team win," Morel said.

"I don't think about it a lot," Lujan said about being a team leader.

"I know I'm in a position where people look to me for what to do next; I try to work hard and lend help when needed.

"I let my actions speak for themselves. I think other guys pick up on that," he added.

Lujan has enjoyed his time at La Verne playing football.

"I like the players; we have a lot of good guys," he said. "They get along really well, and its a good environment."

"At La Verne, he really saw the big picture in terms of football being a part of his life," Morel said. "I know we're going to miss him a ton next year."

Lujan said it is nice to look back on his college experience and have so many memories.

"Overall it's been a great experience. Sometimes you take for granted the fact that you're one of the guys who gets to play college football," Lujan said. "I'm thankful I was able to play four years of college ball."