Professor Jeff Steele Takes Us For a Ride

John Brussa

Sports Editor

October 4, 2018

JESSE HAMBLY

Jeff Steele and his wife, Kelly, hike along the summit ridge of Mount Saint Helens during one of their many backcountry adventures. The pair have spent decades seeking fresh powder, building a lasting bond along the way.

Professor Steele teaches in Santa Clara’s College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in medieval philosophy. When he’s not teaching, his passion for snowboarding takes him to the mountains—or wherever he can find snow.

Tell me your history with snowboarding. How long have you been doing it?

I grew up in Southern California in the 90s when snowboarding was kind of starting to take off, so I’ve been snowboarding since probably…