Jarzynka to be inducted into Husky Hall of Fame

Free-spirited player could change game on special teams

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

It’s was easy to spot Joe Jarzynka on a football field. He was the smallest guy with the long, golden, curly hair that drooped from his helmet. It swayed and bounced through the air when he ran.

Jarzynka, a Gig Harbor High School and University of Washington graduate, was one of the most electrifying special-teams players to ever wear a Husky uniform.

And because of his memorable performances — many of which instantly changed the momentum of a game — the UW football program will induct him into the Husky Hall of Fame on Saturday when Washington hosts Arizona at Husky Stadium.

Jarzynka, 32, will be appointed as a Husky Legend.

“It’s amazing,” Jarzynka said with a smile. “I hoped to, maybe one day, but I didn’t think this soon.”

Jarzynka is the first Husky in his graduating class of 1998-99 to be given the honor. NFL players like Corey Dillon and Marques Tuiasosopo wait their turn, but not before Jarzynka.

“For a guy who never made an NFL roster, it’s pretty special,” he said.

Jarzynka was an exciting special-teams player because of his natural abilities. He wasn’t afraid to sacrifice his body for extra yards.

His best game came against the California Bears when he returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and finished with 166 yards on seven punt returns.

Although he scored only two touchdowns during his college career, a handful of his special-teams returns were a shoestring away from paydirt.

What made Jarzynka an even more unique player was his versatility. As a boy, he kicked a soccer ball well before he ran with a football.

He even helped the Gig Harbor Tides advance to the AA state soccer championship before the Tides lost to Olympic in overtime. Even then, Jarzynka scored Gig Harbor’s only goal.

During the fifth game of his junior year at UW, he became the football team’s place kicker. He made six of eight field goals and finished second in the Pac-10 by converting 75 percent of his attempts. His career long came on a 44-yarder against Washington State.

What he loved the most was creating havoc in the open field. And it fit his personality, too.

Jarzynka said he was cocky at least, arrogant at worst while he was in college. His goldilocks were an expression of his free-spirited attitude.

During his first two football seasons, Jarzynka felt he was viewed more as a special-teams novelty and wasn’t getting the respect he felt he deserved.

“It was convincing them (head coach Jim Lambright and his staff) to give me that opportunity,” Jarzynka said.

After partying and bucking the system during the early stages of his college career, Jarzynka transformed his work ethic. He began a more rigorous weight-training schedule and gained 15 pounds.

By his junior year, he made a concerted effort to become a more dynamic player.

After his sophomore season, he cut his hair — a change in character. It was a new look Jarzynka was proud of.

He soon became the staple player on special teams. In 1998, his junior year, UW ranked second in the nation in kick returns, averaging 25.9 yards per attempt with the help of speed demon Toure Butler.

On punt returns, he rarely waived his hand in the air for a fair catch. He often brought returns on kickoffs that were 9 yards deep in the end zone.

“Everybody expected me to do something,” Jarzynka said. “It was an opportunity to do something fun.”

Jarzynka discovered his way of expressing talent was through special teams, and his performance could impact the game.

The rigid style of football clashed with Jarzynka’s creative nature. He was a guy who enjoyed doing things on the fly.

“I learned to express myself in the system,” Jarzynka said. “I enjoyed that freedom.”

Living and playing in Gig Harbor

Jarzynka’s family moved to Gig Harbor when he was 14. He was born in Adrian, Mich., about 30 miles from Ann Arbor, home of the Michigan Wolverines.

He didn’t play organized football until he was a freshman at Gig Harbor High School. But with his natural ability to run and kick, he became a rich asset to the Tides’ football program.

By his junior year, Jarzynka was an integral piece to the Tides’ offense and defense due to his natural speed.

His strongest position in high school was wide receiver, but he also was featured as a wingback, tailback, place kicker and cornerback.

And, of course, he dazzled fans with kick returns.

Jarzynka was part of the 1993 Gig Harbor team that won the Pierce County League by going undefeated. The Tides advanced to the Class AA state football championship at the Kingdome in Seattle, where they lost to Prosser, 22-20.

His 123 receiving yards, including a touchdown, got the attention of college scouts. He was recruited by several different schools but decided to attend UW mostly because of its academic program and proximity to Gig Harbor.

Steve Gervais, his former high school coach who is currently the athletic director for Bishop Blanchet in Seattle, said he was one of his all-time favorite kids.

“He was very talented,” Gervais said. “He had natural ability. He was electric.”

Where is he now?

Jarzynka is a family man who lives in the north end of Tacoma. Last week, he celebrated his six-year anniversary with his wife, Jen. They have a 3-year-old daughter and a baby boy.

Jarzynka sells commercial real estate in Seattle and tries to stay in shape but understands his time is limited because he’s a father.

Still, he plays in two 30-and-older soccer leagues in Tacoma and Gig Harbor. Even though football played such a big role in his life, he’s put it behind him.

“I have no interest in playing it now,” he said. “I still need that competitive outlet, and I like the flow of playing soccer.”

Jarzynka felt the Gig Harbor community was always supportive, even when he left to play for UW.

“I’ve truly appreciated the support,” he said. “The (Gig Harbor) fans were outstanding.”

Jarzynka’s football resume

University of Washington

1998 (junior year)

Returned 61 kicks for 731 yards, including seven for a Pac-10 single-game-record 166 yards and a touchdown against California.

Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week for Oct. 17 against California. Made 19 of 22 extra points and converted six of eight field goals. The longest was for 44 yards against Washington State.

All-Pac-10 all-purpose player, leading Washington with 849 total yards.