Hall of Fame

Gary Eloranta

Gary "Stump" Eloranta

  • Class
  • Induction
    2022
  • Sport(s)
    UW-River Falls
Induction Video

(Written: July 2022)

Gary “Stump” Eloranta was the first athletic trainer to work at UW-River Falls and served as the university’s only athletic trainer until 2000, when he hired his first full-time assistant athletic trainer. He also served as equipment manager from 1973-93.

He was instrumental in developing a partnership with St. Croix Orthopedics (now Twin Cities Orthopedics) and was a lecturer in the UW-River Falls health and human performance department. In his 42 years at UW-River Falls, Eloranta mentored many students who went on to successful careers in athletic training and equipment management at the high school, collegiate and professional sports levels.  

In addition to his service to UW-River Falls, Eloranta played a key role in the development of the River Falls Emergency Medical Service and was a dedicated member of the River Falls Fire Department.

In 1990, he received the UW-River Falls Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for Academic Staff. Eloranta was inducted into the UW-River Falls Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2010. He received a WIAC Special Recognition Award in 2017.

Eloranta earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and master’s degree in supervision and instructional leadership from UW-River Falls.

He resides in River Falls, Wis., with his wife Bev. They have two sons Joe and Pete, and one grandchild.