ISD 728 Legend is Commemorated at Elk River's Stadium 

Homecoming at Elk River High School had all of the pomp, circumstance and success you’d expect a gorgeous September Friday evening to have. A parade with and for kids. A slew of touchdowns in a win over Cambridge-Isanti and the recognition of the Senior Royal Court. 

But it was on the edge of the recently remodeled Jerry Schempf Field that history was truly made - and observed. 

Reigning “Coach of the Year” in ISD 728 and longtime football assistant Ben Gustafson welcomed his family to Elk Country to commemorate their patriarch - Paul “Gus” Gustafson. A sign telling Gus’ story, sharing a photo and placed near the spot he watched the Elks roll to a state championship last year - and win many games before it - was unveiled by the entire Gustafson crew, including Paul’s brothers, children and grandchildren. And, of course, his loving wife, Barb. 

Fittingly, the sign is in the south endzone, near the new entrance - unveiled in 2022-23. Some 20 years after Paul left the program in 2002. During his decades in Elk River he coached football as an assistant and head coach, helped out Wally Trochil with the basketball program and even had a few ideas for the activities directors. 

Then, in 2002-2003, he became one - taking on the “AD” role at Rogers High soon after it opened. 

In Spring of 2025, when Ben earned the Coach of the Year award, he thanked his dad. Ben said Paul was the reason he became a coach - remembering nights at the field working as a ball boy. Ben also serves as the head coach of Elk River boys hockey. 

“Like him, I love being around the players, the athletes. It’s the old saying - ‘It’s a great day to be an Elk,’” he said. 

Paul died on Christmas Eve 2024. He was 70. 

“I miss seeing that golf cart in the south end zone,” Ben said, speaking of Paul when visiting with Jim Boyle of the Elk River Star News. “I think about it every game.” 

The plaque was the idea of some of Gus’ colleagues and friends - including former Community Relations Director Charlie Blesener, as well as Phil Johnson and Bill Martel. It, fittingly, is headlined by the words “Toughen Up!,” which is something any Elks fan could tell you they heard Gus yell from the sidelines - and maybe even that south end zone.