Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
Athlete 1979 - 1983
My dream was to play football at Linfield.
Those were the words of the late Kyle Tarpenning of the class of 1983. An accomplished two-sport athlete, Tarpenning follows his father, Al, into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame.
A four-year letterwinner in football for Coach Ad Rutschman, Tarpenning showed his versatility, starring as both a kicker and defensive back. He also participated in the sport of track & field, where he was a three-year letterwinner and a Northwest Conference champion in the pole vault in 1983.
In 1980, he was the second team NAIA All-American in football, becoming the first specialist in Linfield history to be accorded all-America status. A member of the 1982 national championship team, he was awarded defensive player of the game honors in a 20-16 first-round victory over Cal Lutheran. In that game, he recovered a fumble and intercepted three passes, equaling a school record.
He was a three-time all-conference kicker, (1980, 81, 82) and booted 102 extra points during those three seasons. He led the Wildcats in scoring for three straight seasons (1980, 81, 82) and in interceptions twice (1981 and 82). In all, Tarpenning grabbed 16 career interceptions and continues to rank among the top 10 in more than 10 record categories.
As he pursed a master's degree in education at Linfield, he served as an assistant football coach under Rutschman and was a part of two more national title teams in 1984 and 1986.
Tarpenning then coached for five years as defensive coordinator at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., while completing requirements for a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Southern California.
A 1979 graduate of Eugene's Sheldon High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Linfield in physical education. In 1988, he attended the University of Oregon where he earned a second master's degree in biomechanics. He became a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.
Tarpenning passed away tragically from colon cancer on June 30, 2004 at age 43. A memorial scholarship in his honor was established in Australia. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, son, Branten, and two stepchildren, Taylor Meek and Olivia Meek.
