Jake Elorduy ’26 Leads With Purpose On and Off the Field

Entering his final season playing wide receiver for the Loggers, Elorduy focused not only on his performance, but on leaving behind a legacy. Inspired by books that the team read about leadership and culture, he spent the season mentoring younger players and investing in relationships to build a stronger, more connected team.

“I want to leave an impact on the people around me,” he said. “I want to be a resource, be a friend, and build relationships that last beyond my time here.”

That mindset reflects the influence of Head Coach Jeff Thomas, who’s been a key role model for Elorduy. From fostering a player-led culture to emphasizing involvement beyond athletics, Thomas has helped shape Elorduy’s approach to leadership.

“Coach genuinely cares about every person he interacts with,” Elorduy said. “That’s something I’ve tried to carry into everything I do.”

Coach Thomas has been impressed by Elorduy’s leadership skills and his approach to building up the players around him.

“Jake is the kind of leader people naturally gravitate toward,” Thomas said. “He has a positive impact on everyone around him, and what stands out most is his consistency. Whether he’s a tour guide on campus, leading his fraternity, serving as president of the conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, or contributing to our football program, you always get the same authentic, trusted presence.”

Elorduy’s impact extends well beyond football. A double major in business and communication, he has taken on multiple high-profile leadership roles, serving as president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, working as a campus tour guide, and working for Logger Athletics.

Through his experience in Greek Life, Elorduy has worked to challenge stereotypes around fraternities by centering the organization’s commitment to service and community engagement. Phi Delta Theta partners with organizations supporting families of patients diagnosed with ALS, offering hands-on assistance.

As a tour guide working with the Admission team, Elorduy brings his signature energy and authenticity to prospective students and families. His tours emphasize what he sees as Puget Sound’s defining strength — its tight-knit community.

“You’re not just a number here,” he said. “Professors know your name. They want to help you succeed. There’s always someone willing to help.”

His senior year, Elorduy served as president of the Northwest Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), representing student-athletes across the region. In the role, he worked to strengthen connections among conference schools and elevate the student-athlete experience.

“I want to help promote what makes our conference special,” he said. “And create a culture that’s competitive, but also rooted in respect and sportsmanship.”

The conference-level role is the culmination of Eloduy’s journey as a leader, learning to see the bigger picture, finding connections between seemingly different groups, and bringing people together in support of a common cause. For Elorduy, that’s what being a leader is all about and it’s a lesson he’s learned time and time again from his coaches, professors, and peers.

“Leadership is about helping the people around you become the best versions of themselves,” Elorduy said. “It’s about building each other up.”

Like many scholar-athletes, Elorduy’s path hasn’t been without obstacles. During a game against crosstown rival Pacific Lutheran University, Elorduy tore his ACL, ending his senior season early. He was disappointed, but with support from his network across campus, he was able to focus on his recovery, his studies, and supporting his teammates from the sidelines. 

“It was a tough time, but my community really showed up for me,” Elorduy said.

Across every aspect of his Puget Sound experience, Elorduy returns to a simple idea: show up for others.

Whether mentoring teammates, leading student organizations, or guiding prospective students, Elorduy strives to create a positive, supportive environment that’s grounded in accountability, connection, and genuine care for the people around him.

“There’s so much noise in the world,” Elorduy said. “If I can be someone who brings positivity and helps others stay motivated, that’s how I want to make an impact.”

As he hangs up his football jersey and closes out his final year at Puget Sound, Elorduy is focused on making the most of every opportunity that presents itself. He’s focused on living out Puget Sound’s motto — “to the heights” — reaching not just for athletic or academic success, but lifting others up along the way. 

“I’ve had so many people help me along the way. Now it’s about passing that on,” Elorduy said.

After graduation, Elorduy will remain in the world of athletics, working for the San Jose Sharks professional ice hockey team as an inside sales consultant. He credits his time at Puget Sound with preparing him to launch a career that brings together his love of sports and everything he’s learned about business and communication.

“The continuous support and care that professors, coaches, faculty, and students display helped me gain confidence in my ability to take the next step in my life,” Elorduy said. “Without the genuine connections I have made and the encouragement from those around me, none of this would have been possible.”

This story is part of Puget Sound’s series, To The Heights, profiling members of our community who embody what it means to be a Logger.