NCAA Division III
Northwest Conference
Laurie Turner, Athletic Director


Northwest Conference Championships
1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1991 - 1992
 
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Pacific Lutheran Univ.
Tacoma, WA 98447

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Athlete Profile

Erik Gracey
Hometown
Maple Valley, Wash.
High School
Tahoma
Year
Senior
Major
International Business

Erik Gracey tied a Pacific Lutheran single-game record with four assists against George Fox on Sunday, Oct. 14. He also scored a goal in that game after scoring for the Lutes in a 1-1 tie with Puget Sound, and he earned Northwest Conference Player of the Week honors. Gracey has had a strong senior year with four goals and seven assists.

Describe your family. How have they helped you in your athletic career?
My mom and dad have always been very supportive of my soccer career. From orange slices when I was a youth to rain-soaked games at PLU, they have usually been at my games when had the opportunity. My mom has helped me practice as well. She used to give me volleys and play keeper while I took shots at her. My mom has been a great help to me.

Describe any hardships or extenuation circumstances that you have faced to get to where you are today.
I have had a lot of injuries. I have injured my knees a few times, broken a leg, a wrist, and an ankle. I have had numerous muscles strains, ankle sprains, and even five surgeries.

What made you decide to come to PLU?
I wanted to come to PLU because my grandmother went to PLU and I heard about the excellent reputation of the school. I also wanted to play soccer, of course, and I liked (head coach) John Yorke from my experiences in high school and club soccer.

Have you studied abroad? If so, describe your experiences?
Yes. I went to Norway for nine months and it was fantastic. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about Norway.

What has been your favorite class at PLU?
Not Chemistry

Have you had any trouble balancing athletics with academics?
Yeah. It does get really hard when you have a full load and devote a lot of time to the sport. I spend 3.5 hours a day on soccer during the week and every other weekend we go on road trips. That is a lot of time. It is also hard to concentrate on school work; sometimes all I can think about is soccer.

What are you plans after college?
I want to be a manager specializing in international business.

When your athletic career is all said and done, what is it that you would want people to say about you?
Erik was a really hard working guy.

Describe your hometown and what you miss about it the most.
Maple Valley is suburbia mixed in between country areas like Ravensdale, Hobart, Kent, and Covington. There is a good mix of interesting people in Maple Valley. You got wanna-be gangsters and wanna-be rednecks at the same school, it's fun. I miss skipping class to go fishing.

What's your favorite spot on campus?
Our soccer pitch.

What is your favorite restaurant in Tacoma?
East-West Café.

What music is playing in your ipod right now?
Hip Hop mixes. My two favorite songs right now are “Still Dreaming” by Nas ft. Kanye West and “Kiss Kiss” by Chris Brown and T-Pain.


Read more about senior defender Brian Lubeck
Read more
about senior forward Michael Ferguson