For the week of November 7, 2005


From the 6th floor

A whole lot of drab outside the 6th floor window today. Most of the leaves that had looked so beautiful on the trees a couple weeks ago are now laying in yards or at the curb. While I heard some scattered reports of light snow in the highlands over the weekend, nothing of that sort to report in the city of Marquette. We've been pretty fortunate lately with temperatures staying mild enough to keep the snow away. The forecast later in the week calls for a chance of snow showers mixed with rain Thursday, but temperatures still near 50.

NMU's football coach Sams' contract not renewed

The contract between Northern Michigan University and Wildcat football coach Doug Sams, which expires June 30, will not be renewed, NMU Athletic Director Ken Godfrey announced today (Nov. 8).
During his four years at Northern, Sams posted a 13-29 record, including this year's 2-8 mark.
"I'd just like to say thank you for the opportunity to coach at Northern Michigan University," said Sams.
Sams owns a 16-year collegiate career coaching mark of 71-81. He came to NMU from Fairmont State College in West Virginia where he had an 11-year record of 53-47 and won two West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic (WVIAC) championships. He also coached one year at Urbana (Ohio) University where he was 5-5.
"I appreciate the effort Doug and his staff have made," said Godfrey. "This decision was not taken lightly. It was a tough decision, but one I feel needed to be made."
The contracts for the four full-time assistants--Matt Collins, Jovan DeWitt, Keith Jordan and Bob Jurasin--also expire June 30. Godfrey said the four will have the opportunity to apply for assistant positions under the new coach, but until hired in that situation, they will have no assigned tasks with Northern other than their teaching duties.
A national search to replace Sams will begin immediately.

Alumni cheer on 'Cats in Lansing

Approximately 75 Mid-Michigan Wildcat alumni and friends gathered at Trippers Sports Bar in East Lansing last Friday after NMU’s thrilling overtime loss to MSU in hockey.  Speaking to the NMU faithful were special guests: Tom Izzo ‘77, MSU Basketball Coach; NMU Hockey Coach Walt Kyle ‘81 (who told a great story about Tom Izzo’s shortcomings as an archery teacher at NMU); and Dr. Rajib Sanyal, the new Dean of the NMU Business School. 
In addition to door prizes, great food and beverages, notable faces in the crowd included: NMU Board of Trustees members Mary Lukens and Doug Roberts; former NMU hockey great turned sports agent Eddie Ward ; Charlie Hawes ‘77, former Tom Izzo basketball teammate and NMU Alumni Association Board Member; long-time assistant attorney general Don Keskey ‘68, now in private practice; MSU Administrator Chuck Roberts ‘86; the Wildcat hockey broadcast team of Dave Danis ‘92 and Dave Mingay; current NMU Alumni Board member Rich Dabney 87; and former Alumni Board Member Steve Guzowski ‘79. 
Thanks to David Gregory '92, Alumni Association board member for hosting the event.

Check out the latest issue of Horizons

If you haven't already received it, you should be any day now.
It's the Fall 2005 issue of Horizons, the magazine for Alumni and Friends of Northern Michigan University.

This pictorial issue includes some awesome photography that will give you a great look at some of the recent changes on campus including the new Art & Design studios, Magers Hall, Whitman Hall and the Music Department.

You'll also get a chance to meet the new head coaches in Wildcat Athletics.

Check your mailbox for your issue.

If you don't receive it, please let us know.

Like the magazine? Show your support by joining the NMU Alumni Association.

Wildcat Night Across the Country gaining momentum
















This group in Idaho Falls cheered on the Wildcats last season.

If they can put together a Wildcat party in Idaho Falls, certainly you can, too-no matter where you are!

NMU vs. Western Michigan Hockey
Live on Fox Sports
Saturday, January 28
4:30 p.m. eastern

The hockey Wildcats will make an appearance on Fox Sports Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 28 as part of Fox Sports' "Hockey Day in Michigan" double-header. Northern and Western Michigan hook up at 4:30 p.m. in Kalamazoo, followed by Michigan and Michigan State in their annual regular-season tilt at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Wildcat fans in Asheville, North Carolina already have their party in the works!
More details as they become available. Interested in the N.C. party?
Contact Lilly Bonetti '84.

Also in the works:
St. Petersburg, Fla/Jay Pritchard
Chicago/Jennifer Giangrasse
Fenton-Flint/Greg Feamster

Several other sites are still working out details.

Now is the time to start planning your Wildcat get-together. Last year, parties took place in 14 different locations across the country. We'd like to see even more this year. It's very easy to do. E-mail us and we'll tell you how.

Wildcat sports update

The Northern Michigan University volleyball team concluded its regular season on Sunday at Saginaw Valley State. NMU won the match in three straight to finish the regular season with a 15-11 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the conference. The ‘Cats are now seeded third out of the GLIAC North for the GLIAC Volleyball Tournament and will travel to Northwood for the opening round match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.  The Timberwolves defeated the ‘Cats last Saturday in four games.
The NMU cross country team qualified, for the sixth straight year, for the NCAA II Championships slated to be held Saturday, Nov. 19, in Pomona, Calif.  NMU placed fourth with 123 points at the NCAA II Great Lakes Region Championships at Ferris State Saturday.
In what was being billed a double-header at the Superior Dome, the first half of the football (soccer) doubleheader saw the NMU women’s soccer team defeat Finlandia University 10-0.  The ‘Cats conclude the 2005 season with a 10-7-0 overall record.  The 10 wins ties the NMU season record. 
The NMU football team played the second half of the football doubleheader at the Dome.  For the ‘Cats it was the season finale.  The Northwood Timberwolves took it to the home team as they left with a 70-20 victory.  NMU ends the 2005 campaign with an overall and GLIAC record of 2-8. 
The weekend match-up in Lansing between the NMU hockey 'Cats and MSU Spartans went into overtime in the first game, Friday, with the Spartans edging the 'Cats, 5-4, and then the Spartans skated right by the 'Cats on Saturday, winning 5-0. With the losses the ‘Cats are now 5-3-0 overall and 2-2-0 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

NMU joins in Governor's "Return To Learn" Month

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has proclaimed November “Return to Learn” month in the state of Michigan, saying a college degree can be the ticket to increased personal income and a stronger economy. Northern Michigan University is one of several state campuses participating in the initiative.         
“The governor recognizes that increasing the number of college graduates in Michigan is a key to attracting the kind of businesses that can turn the economy around, and we stand ready to do whatever it takes to help citizens finish their degrees,” said NMU President Les Wong.
Michigan is above the national average for the percentage of adults having some college credit, but no degree. According to a news release issued by the governor’s office, states with the highest number of college graduates are also the states with the strongest economies and the lowest unemployment rates. NMU invites working adults to learn more about career opportunities available to those with post secondary credentials. 
“We’re always looking to help students return to the classroom, whether they are former Northern students who didn’t finish and need to come back, or whether they attended elsewhere but want to complete their degrees here,” said Kevin Stulz, assistant director of admissions at NMU. “We have admissions policies in place to help both the re-entry student and the new transfer student.”    
Stulz said “Return to Learn” could also apply to individuals who graduated from college, but might be interested in additional training within their profession or an advanced degree that will enable them to shift careers.
For more information on the opportunities available at NMU, call 800-682-9797 or visit www.nmu.edu/returntolearn.

"Murderball" movie and star coming to Marquette

"Murderball" actor Mark Zupan will be on the campus of Northern Michigan University for a screening of the award-winning documentary.
The film chronicles the team's journey to the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece. It exposes the sport of Murderball (a.k.a. Quad Rugby) as the players grapple, defend, and attack each other on the court. The film also shows the challenges and accomplishments of living with disabilities.
It received the 2005 Sundance Festival's documentary award.
The film will be shown at 7 p.m. Monday, November 14 in Jamrich Hall 102. Mark Zupan will speak immediately following the film.
Admission is free. This event is being sponsored by Platform Personalities and the Student Activity Fee.

Thanks for stopping by.....

.......Keith Belonga '84 of Williamston, MI. Keith was in town for business and stopped by to say hello and check out the view from the 6th floor.

From the E-mail bag

"Hi Deanna. Loved the photo last week since it's from my era (77-80). I am pretty sure the gentleman in the middle of the back row (striped trunks with a white waistband) is Zach Fowler who played football for NMU. It has been 25 years since I've seen him but I'm fairly certain it's him. It is possible the guy sitting down on the far left played football, too. Thanks for the memories and smiles."
Gayle Sullivan '80
Salem, MA
cahills4@aol.com

"Deanna, if folks send you names of the people in last week's photo, I would love to find out who they are. I remember faces but not names. I was on the inaugural women's team in 77-78 with Joan Peto and worked from 77-81 as a lifeguard. The pool in the then new facility was phenomenal as most of us had never seen such a large pool before, nor had we seen a separate diving tank. (That continued to be the case at many of the schools we competed against; in some places the diving boards were place in locations that were actually very dangerous.) I also have many memories of the old pool in the field house from years of swimming lessons as a grade schooler and girl scout up to my WSI training at NMU. I was also a swim instructor there for many years. A funny aside--I still remember the hair dryers in the locker room mounted too high fro most people (and I am tall) and the picture of Tom Izzo as a ball player in the hall of the old field house with his 'afro' hairstyle! Just can't remember the names from the picture."
Diane White Husic '81
Bethlehem, PA
dhusic@moravian.edu

Note from the editor: Here is what we've been able to come up with as far as identities on the folks in last week's photo. We're still short about half the names.
And contrary to what several folks wrote in...the young man on the end in front is not Peter Brady.

Click on photo for larger version.

Back row: unidentified female, Zach Hicks '79, unidentified female, Sandy Lothrop '81, Zach Fowler '82, unidentified, Mike Moore '83 or Dan Leveille '83?.
Front row: unidentified, Dave Bucklin '79, Don Paulosky '79, unidentified female, unidentified but NOT Peter Brady.

Can you help with the unidentified?

Have something you'd like to share? Feedback should be directed to dhemmila@nmu.edu

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