For the week of July 19, 2004

From the 6th floor

If this is our summer, we're getting ripped off. It's the middle of July and it seems like all we've had is rain and cold. Now, I know you are used to listening to me whine about the weather. But it isn't just me. Ask anyone you know who lives in the U.P. We have had a pretty lousy summer, so far. Does this mean that August and September will make up for it? And how about October? Homecoming is October 15-16. It sure would be nice to tailgate outside.

President Bush visits Marquette, crowd sets new dome attendance record


























President George W. Bush is introduced to a packed Superior Dome by Steve Mariucci.

President George W. Bush was greeted by approximately 11,000 people in Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome Tuesday (7/13)—a record crowd for an event in the Dome.
President Bush was originally slated to give remarks at Lakeview Arena, but overwhelming public interest caused Bush’s campaign team to upgrade the event to a full-blown campaign rally and move the event to the Superior Dome.
Bush’s visit to Marquette was the first by a sitting president since William Howard Taft in 1911.
Detroit Lions head coach and NMU alumnus, Steve Mariucci '77, introduced Bush to the record crowd.

“It was a big day in the UP, kind of a special day,” Mariucci said Wednesday. “(The White House and UP officials) simply asked me to introduce the president, and I accepted their invitation. Having grown up there, having gone to school there, I thought it was appropriate.”

Mariucci, an Iron Mountain native, is a former standout quarterback (1974-77) and offensive coach (1978-79) for Northern Michigan. As a sophomore signal-caller in 1975, he led the Wildcats to the Division II national championship.

In the waning moments prior to Bush’s speech – which initiated a two-day campaign swing through Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota – Mariucci, accompanied by his son, Adam, conducted a brief, yet enriching conversation with the President…on pro and college football.

“A lot of our conversation was about our football team, which was kind of neat,” said Mariucci, who has also met former presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, the current president’s father. “He knew about us, and he knew that there had not been a (sitting) president (in the UP) in a long time.”
For more on the president's visit, check out The Marquette Mining Journal's News Digest.

NMU Sports Hall of Fame to induct six during Homecoming

Six new members will be inducted in the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend 2004, October 15-16.
The induction dinner and ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 16th in the Great Lakes Rooms of the Don H. Bottum University Center.
Social hour begins at 6:30, dinner at 7:30 and induction program at 8:30 p.m.
 Tickets are $17.50 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by sending a check payable and addressed to the NMU Alumni Association, 1401 Presque Isle, Marquette, MI 49855, or by phone, toll free at 1-877-GRAD NMU.
For additional information, contact the NMU Alumni Association

This year's inductees are:
Dr. Thomas Knauss '54

A retired professor of mathematics at Northern Michigan University, Dr. Knauss served on the NMU Athletic Council for 27 years, serving as chair for 13 years. As a member of that council, Dr. Knauss was instrumental in helping NMU athletes continue their education by dedicating himself to promoting athletes for post graduate scholarships through the NCAA.

 

Mark Maddox

A Milwaukee native, Mark lettered in football at Northern, 1987-88-89. He was a two-time all-GLIAC First Team Linebacker. In 1990, Mark had a stand-out year and captured honors as NMU's Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Linebacker and served as co-captain, in addition to receiving a number of other honors. After leaving Northern, Mark played in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals, participating in two Super Bowls, 1992 and 1993.

Barbara Maszlewski '74, '78

A Detroit native, Barb Maszlewski was a leader for women in the field of athletic training in the Upper Peninsula. From 1977-1985, Barb was NMU's athletic trainer for women's athletics. In 1985 she was accepted into the Physician Assistant program at Mercy College in Detroit and took a leave of absence from Northern to pursue her PA certification. She returned to Northern in 1987 and later accepted a position as a PA with a cardiothoracic surgery practice in Marquette. Barb played a significant role in the health care of athletes at NMU for thirteen and a half years.

Stacy Metro '94

Stacy Metro is one of the most decorated volleyball players in NCAA Division II history. A Lakewood, CA, native, Stacy lettered at Northern Michigan University 1991-92-93. She became the first individual ever to be named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year on two occasions when she received the award for a second consecutive season in 1993. Her list of accomplishments and honors is extensive. A leader on the court, Stacy helped propel Wildcat volleyball into the national spotlight. Her volleyball jersey was retired in a special ceremony in 1994.

Mark Simon '86

A Stephenson native, Mark led his high school basketball team to the state championship title before deciding to play college ball at Northern. He lettered at NMU, 83-86, serving as captain for two seasons. Mark played in 112 games. During his career, Mark scored 1,078 points and 517 rebounds. Since his graduation, Mark has remained loyal to Northern. In addition, he has coached grade school basketball as his way of giving back to the sport.

Jennifer (Kleeman) Urick '94

Jenny Urick was a nine-time NCAA National Champion swimmer at Northern, lettering in 1990-93. She was a 28-time NCAA All-American and set three NCAA national records, one of which stood for eight years. She set five GLIAC records and currently holds seven records in NMU Swimming. Statistics aside, Jenny was an exceptional student athlete and a great recruiter for the Wildcats. She went on to become a high school swimming coach, sharing her experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport with young people.

Date set for Wildcat Club/Alumni Association Golf Outing 2005

Mark your calendar: Thursday, June 23rd has been selected for next summer's Wildcat Club/Alumni Association golf outing. This year's first combined outing drew more than 120 golfers. Next summer we hope to sell out so get your registration in early.
The second half of team pictures have now been posted.
(Names are listed when known. Do you know someone we missed? Let us know.

Thanks for stopping by....

Faye Amo '77 of Marquette. Ok. So, she's not from very far away, but she only visits once a year in the summer and I love catching up with her.

If you're in the Marquette area for a visit this summer, please stop by and say hello. We're on the 6th floor of Cohodas, room 603.

As always, feedback/suggestions/questions can be directed to yours truly.

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