A wolf's best friend
By Keisha Williams, Outpost contributor
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Playing games |
Players and coaches look to her as a mother because she is always there, during good times and bad. The rest of us know her as Joanna Elston, a primary booster for Wolfpack athletics.
"In the last 23 years I have only missed seven of the Wolfpack games," Elston says.
A native of Carson City, Elston has always opened her heart and doors to University of Nevada, Reno, students. She attends Wolfpack practices daily and travels with the team on all away games.
"This gives the players a familiar face and a person to hug when things are good and even when they're not going so good," Elston says.
Players, coaches and those who follow the team see Elston as the Wolfpack's all-time best fan.
 Joanna Elston is the Pack's most loyal booster. Photo by Keisha Williams |
Some might point to her 265-game record and think this has to be a long-time football lover. No, not in this case.
"Before I started supporting UNR, my husband would ask me to go to a football game, and I would say 'for what?'"
Elston became a crazed fan because of a childhood friendship with Kathy Alt, now the wife of UNR athletic director Chris Alt. When Alt became head football coach at UNR, Elston joined the fan club. Their relationship pushed her aboard the Wolfpack train, and she never looked back.
Elston said she took her devotion to the team to a higher level when her son, Mark, began working as a recruiter for the Wolfpack. He used to bring many of his recruits to the house for dinner.
"This was my way of showing them they were welcome to this community," Elston says.
Elston thinks back to when she went away to college at the University of the Pacific her first semester and was depressed and lonely. The community was closed minded and uninviting. So when the opportunity came about to give back and help UNR students feel at home in college, she rose to the occasion.
"It is very necessary for the community and the university to team-up and make students feel welcome."
Elston says community support for the Wolfpack has improved greatly over the years. "The team is no longer a palace on the hill. Chris Alt and Joe Crowley have made the community feel a part of athletics and the institution as a whole."
Many of the surrounding cities also are beginning to support Wolfpack football. With a hesitation and a mumble she wonders, "Oh, how should I say this?" She finally finds the words. "When the Wolfpack starts to play more teams like Colorado, Wyoming and Oregon, it will bring even more support."
So, in other words, when the Wolfpack starts to play better teams? She flinches at the work "better" and clarifies: "I'm not going to say better because I will be quoted, and it will be hanging up in our opponent's locker room next week. So, no -- more teams like Oregon."
Through the years, Elston has watched residents and the university community come together to become some of the finest fans in football. Her parents were both graduates of Nebraska, so Elston understands longtime fanatical support for a team. Compared with Nebraska, Elston says UNR has a long way to go.
"Dead people are in the stands at Nebraska games because the families refuse to give away the season tickets their families have inherited."
This type of living tradition is what Elston is trying to establish at UNR. She's doing her part by spreading her Wolfpack enthusiasm to her family. From her 88-year-old father to her 9-year-old grandson, Elston is continuing the Wolfpack spirit.
"That's what it takes, Nebraska has a lead on us because we don't have the long family tradition," she says. "But I'm working on it."
With the cool air whistling and the flags blowing toward the west, the team huddles then goes back to the locker room for a last-minute pep talk. Today's not just any game. It's the last home game of the season - senior day. Elston, her voice trembling, says senior day is hard for her to get through.
"The seniors are my favorite players because they have been here for five years, and I have grown to know them. After today I may not ever see them again."
But many do stay in touch, Elston says in a convincing tone. "Many of the players call and check on me after they leave UNR's football program."
Watching the team get loose by running up and down the sidelines, a ritual of the players, Elston shares her pre-game rituals. The night before every game, she plays the entire football game in her head. She also makes sure she wears the same jewelry for each game.
"This has been a 23-year-old ritual that helps me feel at ease about each game."
Looking at the team run through the blue and silver banner, Elston stands up and prepares for the kick-off. She picks up her grandson and begins to chant along with the rowdy Wolfpack fans in the stands.
"This is for all the marbles. Let's Go Wolfpack!" she said, with a serious, but excited look in her eyes.
copyright 11/15/97 Nevada Outpost
http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost
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