Following In The Family Footsteps Cheney’s Quarterback/Point Guard/Center Fielder Pat Stiffler Is Doing What Comes Naturally

Those wondering where Pat Stiffler’s athletic prowess came from should look no further than his family tree.

Stiffler, Cheney’s three-sport star, followed in the footsteps of both his father and brother in earning 10 letters in three different sports.

The 18-year-old plays quarterback for Cheney’s football team; he’s the point guard for a basketball team that finished second in state last season; and he’s a center fielder come spring for the baseball team, which took third in state last year.

Stiffler began his football career when his family made the move back to Cheney after living in Montana for 13 years. He was quarterback of the junior-high team and started for the varsity team when he was a junior. Stiffler won All-Frontier League honors following last season after tossing 12 touchdown passes.

“Dad was a quarterback. Brother was a quarterback. I just kind of went along with it,” Stiffler said.

His basketball career dates back a little further; he began playing basketball for YMCA teams early in grade school. Stiffler has always played point guard, and he averages about 10 points and six assists a game for a Blackhawk squad looking to return for another shot at a state championship.

But, no matter how much the honors pile up in other sports, Stiffler’s first love is baseball.

As a lead-off hitter, he racked up an impressive .415 batting average last season. After spending the summer playing 80 baseball games in 90 days for the Spokane Heat, an area select team, local colleges started to take notice.

He’s been aggressively recruited by Gonzaga and Washington State, among other schools. He says he’s leaning toward playing for the Bulldogs, but is still undecided. With an opportunity to start as a freshman, Stiffler can’t wait for college.

A good student with a 3.6 GPA, Stiffler plans on majoring in the business field when he reaches college, perhaps even sports marketing.

Though other Stifflers have gotten close, Pat might be the only one to actually play collegiate sports. Phil Sr. turned down a baseball scholarship from the University of Washington. Phil Jr. accepted a football scholarship from the University of Puget Sound, but a neck injury during a football practice his freshman year kept him from playing.

In an age when many prep athletes specialize rather than play several sports, Stiffler, obviously, isn’t that type.

“I think I would have gotten burned out if I had just played baseball since I was real young,” he said.

The very nature of a quarterback and a point guard requires a great deal of leadership skills, something Stiffler has shown a flair for.

“He’s always ready for every game,” said Stiffler’s basketball coach Denny Humphrey. “When he plays well, we’re probably all going to play well.”

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