Striplin feeling right at home playing football for PLU

When Pacific Lutheran University sophomore Austin Striplin wakes up each day, he knows he’s in the right place. He’s at home.

He’s with family.

Two years ago when Striplin was a senior at Sumner High School, he wasn’t sure of where he was going to be the following year. Thought to be a top local talent who had potential as a collegiate offensive or defensive lineman, it was all but certain he was going places.

He just didn’t think it would be 13 miles west of his home, playing football for the Division-III Lutes in the Northwest Conference.

“Dummy,” Striplin deadpanned.

Late in his senior season, Striplin received a house call that changed his perception and moved him toward playing football for the Lutes.

That’s when PLU coach Scott Westering visited the Striplin home.

“(Westering) came to my home for a visit and PLU just seemed to click for me,” Striplin said. “Coach made me feel like I belonged at the school.”

“What a lot of people didn’t know at the time was that Austin was already doing volunteer work with (PLU),” Austin’s father, Ben Striplin, said. “He was already working out there and participating with the school. It was an easy choice for him.”

Hailing from a cultural background where family comes first, the atmosphere played a major role in Striplin choosing PLU. With his father and mother Rose coming from Polynesia, it’s only natural Striplin took this route.

“(The team) made me feel comfortable … they are my family now,” Striplin said.

“It played a part, yes, but all I wanted from him was a good education,” Ben said. “He’s getting that, and he’s playing football for a team that cares for him … everyone on that team plays for each other and for the love of the game.”

It’s the inherent nature of a Westering-coached team.

But going to play football for the Lutes meant Striplin was taking a huge leap with his education. With offers for full rides at smaller schools — and with Montana showing interest — the Lutes center decided he needed to stay close to home.

“Other schools wanted me,” Striplin admitted. “But from my first visit at PLU, the players made feel like they wanted me to be here. Many of them came to meet me and introduced themselves, told me what is expected of the football team. I never experienced that before.”

Even coming from a like-minded program like Sumner, it’s different to be shown such respect no matter what kind of talent a recruit possesses. This approach is who Striplin is after all — a leader first.

“He was an alpha male when he was here,” Sumner coach Keith Ross said. “We built the (defense) around him because he was so big and talented. He made our team great when he was here.”

Now Striplin is trying to do the same for PLU. As the team’s center, nothing’s really changed for Striplin. He’s still the center of it all, making the big blocks and fulfilling that vision Westering had two years ago.

“It’s a lot of responsibility as the offense is tough,” Striplin said. “I’m working hard to get it down because I haven’t seen an offense as complex as what PLU has. It really makes you think out there.”

Working hard for PLU football will never be a problem for Striplin. That’s because he’s home, playing for his family.

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Striplin feeling right at home playing football for PLU."