Chris Kustanbauter
Nominated by John White
Defensive Lineman, 1981-1984
Accolades:
- 1983 – All PSAC – 1st Team
- 1984 – All PSAC – 2nd Team
Single Season Top 10 Records:
- #1 1983 – QB Sacks – 12.0
Career Top 10 Records:
- #3 QB Sacks – 16.5
- #2 Yards Lost from Sacks – 121
Single Game Outstanding Performance:
- 1983 – 4 sacks vs. East Stroudsburg
ECAC Weekly All star
- 1983 Homecoming game MVP
- Most Improved Player Award – 1983
Academic Accolades:
- Highest Team GPA Award – 1984 Football Team Banquet (presented by Jack Fisher)
Leadership/Community Service:
- Team Co-captain 1984 (with Stan Allen, Chris Jackson, John Eisenhooth)
- President Fellowship Christian Athletes
- Vice President Biology Club
Chris started his LHU football career in 1982 as a walk-on. He originally tried out as a linebacker and moved to defensive end during Spring practice in 1982. During Spring practice in 1982, Coach Long said the team was very thin at the defensive line position and was looking for volunteers to move to defensive line and especially the nose guard position. Chris played defensive tackle in high school and decided to answer Coach Long’s request and he moved to nose tackle. He started at nose tackle in 1983 and 1984 and was selected to the PSAC 1st Team All Stars as Defensive Lineman in 1983.
In his Senior Year, he broke his leg in a game against Slippery Rock. He missed the remaining 4 games of his Senior season and was selected to the 2nd Team PSAC All Stars as a Defensive Lineman. Even though he was on crutches and in a cast, he continued to attend every practice and game to help support his teammates. Chris always tried to lead by example and worked very hard on his conditioning. He was always supportive of his teammates and his quiet leadership got him elected as one of the Co-Captains for the 1984 season. While his career was cut short due to injury, he still is listed in the LHU football record books in several categories, as noted above.
Chris graduated in 1985 with a B.S. Biological Sciences. He has been married to his wife Mary (Jackson) a 1984 LHU graduate, since 1986. He has two children, Emily (IUP graduate) and Derek (Bloomsburg graduate). He had multiple roles in 29 years with the Procter & Gamble Co. finishing his career in Sales. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 47 and is active in participating in clinical drug studies at the University of MD to help further better drug therapies for Parkinson’s patients. He also is participating in studies through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He currently resides in Red Lion, PA with his wife and 2 boxers.
