Dick Blasy - Speedskating/Coach- Class of 1999

Dick Blasy had an outstanding career as a speedskater. He won eleven State Championships, four Midwest U.S. Championships, and the North American Olympic Style Championship for the 500 meter in which he set a North American record. In 1968, he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Squad in speedskating and was a three-time National Team member.

Blasy has also excelled in the field of coaching. He served as Dow High’s hockey coach for over twenty years and is one of very few Michigan high school coaches to amass over 300 victories. His teams have won several Saginaw Valley League Championships, two Regional Championships, and he once took his team as far as the State semi finals. He also coached Little League Baseball, winning State Championships in 1985 and 1987, and served as Dow High School’s Varsity Softball coach.

Blasy has been active as an administrator, chairing the American Legion Baseball Committee at the local, district, and zone levels. He was also a Department Committee Member for the American Legion Baseball. He served on several M.H.S.A.A. advisory committees and was the first chairman of the MichiTario Friendship Games.

Bill "Hunky" McGuff - Athlete/Coach/Officials - Class of 1999

Bill “Hunky” McGuff was known throughout Midland County as an outstanding athlete, coach, official, and sports enthusiast from 1951 to 1979. He left the heralded Cincinnati (OH) Coca-Cola Fastpitch softball team to join the 1951 World ASA Fastpitch Champion Dow AS’s where he played multiple positions both offensively and defensively. He was a top handball player in Midland from the mid sixties through the late seventies, winning several consecutive City Championships in both singles and doubles competitions. McGuff coached and served as President of Fraternal Little League for several years and in late 1974, was named the Berryhill American Legion Post 165 coach where he remained until 1978. He also served as a territorial scout for the Detroit Tigers organization for many years. He was a very respected and accomplished baseball and softball umpire who worked High School, College, and Fastpitch Softball at all levels. He was regarded as one of the best trainers of umpires, introducing many of Midland’s finest to the art of officiating. Over the 28 years he lived in Midland, McGuff had significant positive influence on many of Midland’s premiere athletes and will be missed by all that he touched with his tremendous gifts of sportsmanship and competiveness.

McGuff was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 5, 1922, and died at his home in Midland on October 30, 1979.

Marty McGuire - Administrator - Class of 1999

Marty McGuire has been a key member of the Midland Parks and Recreation Department since 1977. He has served as Recreation Supervisor, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, and Director of Public Services. In these roles, he has been instrumental in expanding the city’s recreation offerings. He launched the first city-wide youth soccer registration, established the adult soccer league, was c-founder of the MichiTario games, introduced disc golf, and assisted in the building of the Trilogy Skatepark.

McGuire’s true mark, however, has been in the area of softball. He served as tournament director for over fifteen national and international events, he served as president of the Michigan Amateur Softball Association, and since 1981, has been a National Council Member of the Amateur Softball Association. He has chaired nearly every major committee in the ASA and from 1996 to 1999, chaired the Committee to select the Olympic 2000 Softball Team. McGuire is also a co-founder of the Midland County Sports Hall of Fame.

Herb Scogg - Swimming - Class of 1999

Herb Scogg has long been a leader in promoting swimming in the Midland community. He developed intramural competitive swimming for both boys and girls in Midland’s three intermediate schools and also established the Midland Dolphins. He kept swimming in the forefront of Midland’s recreation programming as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and he helped establish Midland’s first competitive swim team by serving as its first head coach.

Scogg also served as coordinator of Health Physical Education and Athletics for the Midland Public Schools. In this role, he developed and implemented a girl’s athletic program for the school system. The program went from no girl’s varsity sports in 1969 to eight in 1976.

In 1982, Scogg received the Lloyd Osborn Memorial Award for “best combining the ideals of sports activity and community service.”

Ann Swayze - Coach - Class of 1999

Ann Swayze was a pioneer of girls track at Midland High School. She was the school’s first girl’s track coach, serving from 1975 to 1991 and developing an outstanding program. Midland High School girls qualified for the State Meet in every year of Swayze’s tenure, with three girls winning individual state championships.

Swayze compiled a record of 113-30-2 which included six consecutive seasons in which the Chemics were undefeated in dual meets. Her teams won the Saginaw Valley League Championship in 1976, the Regional Championship in 1976, and placed sixth in the state in 1980, 1981, and 1982.

Swayze was also active at the state level, leading a drive to maintain participation in the State Meet. Her leadership allowed over 1800 athletes who otherwise would have been eliminated to participate in the State Meet.

Don Winger - Sports Editor - Class of 1999

Don Winger has been sports editor at the Midland Daily News since 1967. He has been a loyal and devoted friend to athletics on all levels in Midland County. He has set new standards for coverage when events such as national softball tournaments and American Legion Baseball regionals have come to Midland. He has been an ambassador for Midland athletics and has served the Michigan American Legion as official scorer and public address announcer for its state baseball championship for more than 30 years.

Winger’s dedication has earned him inclusion in the Baseball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Honor and the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Lefty Bartos - Softball - Class of 1998

Lefty Bartos has been a driving force behind the success of the Midland Explorers, raising roughly $750,000 for the organization in the past 12 seasons.

Lefty is known by many as the “fastpitch softball ambassador” for the way he promotes the sport.

He was also active in obtaining managers and players for the Explorers since they were formed in 1986.

Behind the scenes he helped create the board of directors, establish the group’s by-laws and raise funds to support the team. He also helped raise money to erect scoreboards at diamonds in Emerson Park.

Ann Hanson - Bowling - Class of 1998

Ann has bowled in Midland for fifty two years. She has been a member of the Midland Women’s Bowling Association All Star Team for thirty four years.

In 1995 she was the first Bowler of the Year for the Women’s Association.

She was elected into the Midland Bowling Hall of Fame in 1984. Her individual accomplishments include rolling a 276 in 1965, a high series of 679 in 1964 and a high average of 180 in 1964. She won first place in the local 600 Club Tournament in 1980.

Ann, who has served in several capacities with the association’s board, was named to the All Star Team for 28 consecutive years starting in 1949.

In 1996 Ann’s Texan Team won the city championship tournament and she was the first person to receive an award for secretary of the year. In 1994 her team placed 8th in the State Bowling Tournament.

Ann has been going to Michigan State Bowling Tournaments for over 40 years and has been a delegate to go to the National Convention for 15 years.

Dave MacDonald - Coach - Class of 1998

Dave was the first player from Midland to earn 1st Team All-State Honors in basketball, receiving this recognition as a senior at Midland High School in 1968. He was also unanimous choice for the Saginaw Valley All-Conference Team.

Collegiately, Dave played basketball at the University of Detroit and then transferred to Central Michigan University where he played his final two seasons. While playing at CMU, he was selected to the Mid-American Conference All-Academic Team in basketball.

Dave has coached basketball at Dow High School since 1973. He was the boys’ Junior Varsity Coach for four years prior to becoming the boys’ Varsity Coach in 1977, a position he has held for over twenty-one years. He has also been the girls’ Varsity Coach for the past eleven years. He has coached over 800 high school basketball games in his career.

Bill Mick - Administrator/Coach - Class of 1998

Bill Mick began his involvement with recreation and athletics in the Midland community in 1963. During his twelve-year tenure at Bullock Creek High School, he coached Basketball, Football, Cross Country and Track. Mick concluded his coaching career at Midland High School where he coached the Girls’ Cross Country Team for three years. Before assuming the position of Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Athletics in 1985 for the Midland Public Schools, he spent five years at Herbert Henry Dow High School as Counseling Department Head. During his eleven years as Coordinator, Mick served on the MHSAA Representative Council, the International Games/Michitario Committee and the Midland County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Amateur Sports Capital Committee. He also held the position of Regional and State Track Meet Manager for several years. Mick has been the recipient of the Lloyd Osborn Award, the 1997 MIAAA Region 8 Athletic Director of the Year Award and the 1998 MHSAA Al Bush Award.

John Shaffer - Softball - Class of 1998

John was a member of the Dow AC’s during the team’s hey-day in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.

He was a second baseman on the Dow A.C. team that won the World ASA Championship in 1951. The team also won the world title in 1948 with Shaffer hitting .333 in the world series play.

For the years 1947, 1948 and 1949 he was voted on the National Fastball All-Star Team.

He retired from the A.C.’s in 1953 but went on to officiate high school football and basketball for more than twenty years. He earned a twenty year award for officiating from the MHSAA.

John also helped coach baseball in the community.

Dan Smick - Baseball/Coach - Class of 1998

Dan won nine letters as an athlete at the University of Michigan but in Midland he’s best known for helping to found Little League baseball in the early 1950’s. He managed Miller Furniture, one of the charter Little League teams for twenty two seasons.

Dan touched hundreds of lives as coach in the community. Aside from baseball he also started a Junior Dow AC Basketball Team and had a hand in developing Pee Wee football in Midland.

He played for seven seasons on the Dow AC basketball team, also officiated basketball, baseball and football.

Dan also worked as a scout for the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians.

Nels Cronkright - Softball/Baseball - Class of 1997

Nels Cronkright distinguished himself as an athlete, a coach and a sports promoter. His involvement in the Midland recreation scene has spanned over twenty-five years and includes 14 years as a major class softball player, 11 years as manager of Midland’s American Legion Baseball team and six years as general manager of the Legion baseball program. Cronkright was named All-American as catcher on the McArdle Pontiac Cadillac team and he played on both a national and world championship team. His record with the Legion has been equally impressive.

As manager, he led teams to nine district championships, nine zone championships, five state championships and four other top three finishes. The Legion program continues to flourish since he took over as general manager. Cronkright was instrumental in securing the 1996 Great Lakes Regional for Midland and he annually coordinates the Gabby Mills Fourth of July Tournament.

Oscar Hahn - Football - Class of 1997

Oscar Hahn was an outstanding athlete at Midland High School and Michigan State University, coached high school football and golf and earned great respect as a builder of men. Hahn was an all-state running back his senior year at Midland High School and also won the state championship in the shot put that year. He went on to earn three varsity letters at Michigan State University as a linebacker. He also earned the right to play in the Copper Bowl then an all-star game for college standouts. Oscar served as a grad assistant coach at MSU. He coached two Michigan High Schools before returning to Midland as the line coach. He assisted Bob Stoppert on several league championship teams as well as the 1968 Mythical State Champions, but truly made his mark by introducing his players to the work world, giving then summer jobs in his construction business.

Craig Kressler- Speedskating - Class of 1997

Craig kressler enjoyed and outstanding career in the sport of speed skating and became the first Midlander to compete in the Olympic Games when he did so in 1980. Kressler won his first national championship as a nine year old and went on to win nine more along with four North American Championships. Craig also held the world record in the 100 meters at age 15. He was named to three national teams and finished second overall in the 1979 Junior World Championships.

Craig’s Olympic appearance in 1980 included racing in the 1000, 15000, 5000 and 10,000 meters with his best finish being 11th in the 1000. Perhaps the most amazing thing about Kressler’s feats is that they all occurred before hi nineteenth birthday.

James "Pete" Marsh - Softball - Class of 1997

James D. “Pete” Marsh has been involved in softball for parts of seven decades as a player, manager, coach and umpire and has excelled in each area. He was twice named as a player to the Dow Field Day All-Star Team to participate against the out of town All-Stars. He played on two state championship teams before being invited to play with the famed Dow AC’s. Following his career as a player, Pete became one of the top umpires in the country. He worked numerous district, regional and state tournaments and served as local and district umpire-in-chief before being named to the world national tournaments in 1975, 1977, and 1979. He was named in 1980 to the Amateur Softball Association’s National Indicator Fraternity for excellence as an umpire and in 1983 was named to the Michigan Amateur Softball Associations Hall of Fame. Marsh then turned from umpiring to coaching both at Midland High School and in the local youth program. He coached some of the most successful teams in Midland High history and assisted on summer teams that qualified for the national regional level.

Tom Roberts - Coach - Class of 1997

Tom Roberts has won more high school baseball games than any other high school coach in the state of Michigan. Born and raised in Midland, Roberts became the varsity baseball coach at the H. H. Dow High School when the school opened in 1969. He has compiled a record of 737 wins and 197 losses. (.789 winning percentage), while coaching teams to 11 league championships, seven district championships, three regional championships, and two state finals.

Roberts was elected to the Michigan Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995. He was State A Coach-of-the-Year in 1987 and went on to become the National Regional Coach-of-the-Year that year. He has earned district, regional and league coach-of-the-year honors 17 times. Roberts is a charter member and the past president of the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Roberts coaches football at Dow High for 20 years and was the defensive coordinator for the 1976 State Championship team. He was the school’s first soccer coach, compiling a record of 34-6 over two years. He has coached golf for eight years, winning three Saginaw Valley League titles and qualifying for state play once. He has been Saginaw Valley coach-of-the-year three times, and regional coach once. Robert’s current golf record is 86-20.

Kristin Heydanek - Swimming - Class of 1996

Kristin Heydanek started her competitive swimming career with the Midland Dolphin Swim Team as an 8 year old. By the time she was 12, she was recognized as one of the top swimmers in her age group in the Midwest United States. She was the state and central zone high point champion and held state records as a backstroker throughout her teen-age years.

Heydanek competed with Dow High School from 1987 to 1990. In 1989, she was the individual state champion in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard freestyle, and Heydanek also swam on the state record setting 400-yard freestyle relay. Her leadership led the team to an overall third place team finish. In 1990 she established a Michigan high school state record in the 100-yard backstroke.

Heydanek attended UCLA on a full scholarship and distinguished herself as one of the top backstrokers at the NCAA championships, reaching the finals in all four years. She was selected All American from 1991 to 1994. UCLA’s top freshman athlete in 1991, the team’s most valuable swimmer in 1993, and was recognized by UCLA as its top female scholar athlete in 1993-94. She holds the team record in both the 100-yard and 200 yard backstroke, relay team records in the 200-yard and 400-yard medley relay and 400 yard freestyle relay. She graduated cum laude in 1995.

Kristin competed in the Pan American Games in 1991 and 1995. In 1995, she finished second in the 100 meter backstroke at the Pan American Games. In 1995, Kristin was a gold medalist at the World University Games in Japan in the 100 meter backstroke and the 400 meter medley relay, which sets a new World University Games record. She competed in the 1996 US Olympic Team Trials and advanced to the final qualifying heats in both the 100 meter and the 200-meter backstroke events. She finished fifth place in the 100, and eighth place in the 200.

Tom Kanary - Golf/Administration - Class of 1996

Tom Kanary was the head golf professional at Midland Country Club from 1930 to 1945. While at the Midland Country Club, Kanary ran six PGA Championships and one Michigan Open. He played in each of these events.

Kanary earned a reputation as an outstanding golfer and competes with many of the top pros of the day. In the early ‘40s he played in an exhibition with Walter Hagen at the Mt. Pleasant Country Club. In addition, he served on the board of the Michigan PGA and was vice president.

In 1946 Kanary joined The Dow Chemical Co. as its first company recreation director. Under Kanary’s direction, Dow fielded a representative team in the Nation Industrial Basketball League, a world championship softball team and several employee golf and bowling leagues. Kanary also supervised programs for Dow retirees.

Andy Maschino - Athlete/Administrator - Class of 1996

Andy Maschino was an early and major contributor to the development of some 300 to 400 Midland area youth annually from 1944 to 1955.

Nearly every youth of that era will quickly recall the Dow Junior Athletic Club program, which Maschino organized, developed and supervised under the sponsorship of The Dow Chemical Co. It was one of Midland’s highly regarded and top rated programs for the youth of the area, at a time when no competitive athletic activity was offered by elementary or intermediate schools.

Maschino came to Midland in 1941 as a member of the Dow basketball team. He organized the Junior AC program in conjunction with the public schools to conduct the sports activities within the local school gymnasium facilities under the supervision of the Dow Athletic Club. Maschino called on the athletes of the Dow AC softball and basketball teams to serve as coaches in this developmental program.

In addition to developing and administering the highly successful program, Maschino also distinguished himself as a player and a coach. He was the leading scorer on the Midland American Legion basketball team which won the USA Championship in 1947. He also coached and managed the Midland American Legion baseball team from 1947 to 1955, finishing as high as runner-up in State competition. Maschino also was recognized as one of the top football and basketball officials in the state. He officiated many high school state finals and collegiate games in both sports.

Jackie Goulet McGee - Athlete- Class of 1996

Jackie Goulet McGee started her athletic career as an 8 year old gymnast. McGee was the youngest gymnast to compete in organized meets at the time and advanced quickly. She was a two-time state champion in floor exercise (’80 & ’81) and in 1982 won the state championship on the balance beam.

As a ninth grader at Jefferson Intermediate, McGee turned her attention to team sports. She earned varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and softball. She again played all three sports as a sophomore at Dow High, earning the Most Valuable Player award in volleyball, the Coaches Award in basketball and was elevated to the varsity for the tournaments in all three sports.

At the varsity level, McGee was awarded Saginaw News All-Area first team honors twice in both basketball and volleyball, All Saginaw Valley League First Team twice in volleyball and once in basketball, All State second team in volleyball and was Dow High’s first and only women’s basketball player to make the Class A All-State First Team. She also was a 1986 finalist for Michigan’s prestigious Ms. Basketball award and was an honorable mention All-American.

McGee continued her career at the University of Minnesota where she earned four varsity letters in basketball. She twice was named team captain (’89 & ’90), received the Coaches Award in 1988, was voted inspirational player in 1989 and three times won the Patty Berg Award for academic and athletic excellence.

Jim Simpson - Coach - Class of 1996

James Simpson has coached at Coleman High School for more than 30 years. He has coached virtually every sport: football, baseball, golf, softball and basketball, acquiring a winning percentage of better than 60 percent for both boys and girls varsity basketball teams. Simpson’s teams have won conference, district and regional championships. In 1996 his girl’s softball team finished among the top four in the state.

Though successful by any standard, Simpson’s true mark is found in the quality of the people he has mentored. Engineers, doctors, lawyers and professional athletes all have learned from Simpson and have considered him a role model. Simpson has helped thousands of Cleman High School students become great people and good athletes.

Murl Bond - Bowling - Class of 1995

Murl Bobd served as Sectretary-Treasurer of the Midland Bowling Association for seventeen years. He is a past president and life member of the board. He has also been active on the State Level serving as Zone 9 Director, State President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the State Senior Bowling Association.

Bond was the Midland Bowling Association Bowler of the year in 1968, won the Michigan State Bowling Association Meritorious Service Award in 1978 and became a charter member of the Midland Bowling Hall of Fame in 1984.

Steve Marsh - Class of 1995

Steve Marsh served as a coach and athletic director in the Midland area for nearly thirty years. He coached at Bullock Creek, Jefferson and for twenty years at Midland High School.

During Marsh’s tenure at M.H.S he developed quality in the total athletic program leading the Chemics to the Saginaw Valley League All –Sports Trophy several times. He also distinguished himself and his school by hosting several district, regional and state competitions. He earned a reputation for unquestioned integrity and in 1990 was named MIAAA Regional Athletic Director of the year. In 1992 Marsh received the Lloyd Osborn award and in 1994 he was awarded the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Al Bush Award.

Forrest 'Gabby' Mills - Baseball - Class of 1995

Forrest “Gabby” Mills has been Mr. American Legion Baseball for over thirty-five years. Over that period of time the Berryhill Post 165 team has wond eight state championships, has been runners up four times and won one national regional.

Mills has served as manager, coach, organizer and in any other capacity necessary to ensure the success of the program. As a manager, he won, the state championship in 1967, as a coach he was a part of eight other state champions and he has traveled as Legion Representative to two national regionals and one world series. Mills has developed a remarkable rapport with the American Legion athletics and in 1993 was honored when the annual fourth of July Tournament was named in his honor.

Gerald 'Bud' Townsend - Athlete/Administrator - Class of 1995

Gerald “Bud” Townsend has made outstanding contributions to the Midland Community as an athlete and administrator. Townsend was a three year starter on the Midland High School Varsity basketball team in the late 1940’s. He was honored his senior year, by being named to the 1050 Michigan Class A all state team. Townsend played four years of basketball at Central Michigan University before returning to Midland to begin what would be a nearly forty year career at the Midland Community Center. Townsend lent his expertise to many programs at the Center, but made his mark as a fari and organized administrator of athletics. He was instrumental in the growth of leagues in basketball and volleyball and actually implemented the leagues for women an girls.

Townsend has become recognized on the state level as a recreational sports leader and was a member of the inaugural MichiTario Games Committee.

In 1994, Bud was the recipient of the Midland Community Center Director’s Appreciation Award and the Midland Sunrise Optimist Club’s Michael “Mike” McPeak Friends of Youth Award.

Richie Waite - Athlete - Class of 1995

Richie Waite was an outstanding athlete at Midland High School who went on to play professional baseball before returning to a career of top level softball and later as a coach.

Waite earned nine varsity letters at M.H.S in football, basketball and baseball, earning a State of Michigan Dream Team status in football and all conference in basketball and baseball where he finished with a three year batting average of .420. He played in the Boston Red Sox Organization from 1961-1065 advancing to Double A in Winston Salem, NC.

Waite played on several top fastpitch softball teams including the McArdle and VMC Teams of the 70’s and 80’s.

He has also managed softball teams to national tournaments and coached several high school and intermediate school teams as well as a state championship Connie Mack Baseball team.

Charlie Berry - Sponsor of Youth Softball - Class of 1994

Charlie Berry was a part of Midland Softball for over twenty years as a player, sponsor and manager. His most significant contribution was a sponsor and manager of the legendary Berry’s Kids.

He organized a group of local youngsters into a team which was competitive on the adult level. He annually took his teams on barnstorming tours across the Midwest and ultimately to the National Tournament finishing third in 1947 and second in 1948. Over 300 youngsters played and learned under the “Berry System” between 1945 and 1952.

Charlie Berry a member of the Michigan Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame, died in 1960.

Harry Demski - Powerboat Racer - Class of 1994

Harry Demski has a racing career spanning over 20 years. He started racing in the mid 1940’s with a 7 horsepower motor and aluminum boat.

In the 1950’s he moved up to a 10 horsepower alcohol burning racing Johnson engine. He took second place both in 1952 and 1953 in the Mid-Eastern State Championships. In the late 1950’s he moved up to a 24 horsepower motor. Traveling the U.S and Canada in 1958, he won the Canadian Championship. In McAlester, Oklahoma he won the C-1 Runabout World Outboard Championships.

This feat of winning the Canadian and World Championships at the same time has been done by only a few drivers. In 1958 the American Power Boat Association gave him the #1 number to use on his boat for the 1959 racing season.

In the early 1060’s he moved up in engine and boat size again. In 1961 he took 3rd place in the Michigan Outboard Racing Association State Championships. In 1964 he won the Michigan Outboard Racing Association/North Professional Championships.

These are only the main title trophies he has won, there are many individual races in the rivers and lakes of the U.S. that he won trophies on.

After retiring from racing boats he continued to be active in the racing association. He started refereeing boat races. In August 1996 he was Head Referee at the World Championship Races at Sanford Lake, the last one to be held there.

Jerry Hoffman - Fastpitch Softball - Class of 1994

Jerry Hoffman began playing fastpitch softball in the seventh grade and played for thirty five years. As a youngster he won three Michigan 4-H softball championships with the Homer Lee Softball Club. He also played for the famed Berry’s Kids in the early 1950’s.

A pitcher-infielder, Hoffman led Nick’s Bar of Midland to Michigan Amateur Softball Association Class “A” State Titles in 1962, 1963, and 1964. In 1064 he was named most valuable player in the tournament. During the eight years he played with Nick’s Hoffman compiled a batting average of over 340.

Hoffman joined the Midland McArdle’s team in 1969 and played through 1977 the year in which the team finished sixth in the ASA Men’s Major Fastpitch National Tournament. In all Hoffman competed in twenty one state tournaments, four I.S.C World Tournaments and three ASA National Tournaments.

Hoffman is a charter member of the Michigan Amateur Softball Hall of Fame.

Larry Piper - Coach/Court Sports Athlete - Class of 1994

Larry Piper has been a significant contributor on the Midland Area sports scene for over twenty five years as a volunteer coach and athlete.

Larry has made invaluable contributions to local girls track by serving as a volunteer coach for the Fleet Feet Track Club since 1974. During this time Larry was able to inspire numerous young ladies to reach their personal and athletic potential. Over the years many Fleet Feet girls became national age group champions, but the real measure of Larry’s influence is the number of girls who continued their interest in running into high school and beyond.

As an athlete, Piper has been a force in the four wall sports at the local and state levels. He has won numerous City Championships in Paddleball, Squash Racquets, Racquetball and Handball. In 1973, he won the Community Center individual championships in all four court sports. In 1992, following replacement of both hips and right shoulder, Piper and his partner Don Traxler, won the State Doubles “C” Paddleball Championship, a feat they repeated in 1994.

His most outstanding achievement came in 1994 when he was an official finsher in the Double Iron Triathlon at Huntsville, Alabama, which consisted of a 4.8 mile swim, a 224 mile bike ride and a 52.4 mile run.

R. Gary Stauffer - Supporter of College Athletics - Class of 1994

R. Gary Stauffer is perhaps best known as the co-founder of Northwood University but was also an athlete and athletic promoter in his own right.

Stauffer excelled in Football, Basketball and Baseball and Central Michigan University and has coached at the high school and college levels. He was the first basketball coach at Northwood University.

Stauffer’s greatest contribution to Midland athletics has been through his vision for Northwood. He was the driving force behind the introduction of an athletic program at Northwood and still today is active in promoting an athletic complex on the campus. Stauffer has made his contributions in a quiet “behind the scenes” way that has allowed thousands of Northwood athletics to take the spotlight.

Mary Byers Becker - Basketball - Class of 1993

Mary Byers Becker received nine varsity letters at Midland High School: three each in basketball, Volleyball and softball. She achieved All-Saginaw Valley first team honors five times and second team honors three times during her high school career.

As a senior, Becker was voted the Saginaw Valley Leagues Most Valuable Player in both Volleyball and basketball and earned all-state honors in three sports: first team in basketball, second team in Volleyball and honorable mention in softball. At graduation Byers held twenty-five school records and received the Bob Stoppert Award as the best female athlete.

Becker went to the University of Dayton on a basketball scholarship and lettered all four years. She was a starter in her junior and senior seasons and as a senior co-captain was voted the teams most valuable player. Becker also earned two letters in softball while at Dayton, and was recognized as the top scholar-athlete in 1986.

Since graduation, Becker has been involved in coaching basketball on both the high school and collegiate level.

Ron Fillmore - Football/Basketball/Baseball - Class of 1993

Ron Fillmore earned 10 varsity letters at Meridian High School in football, basketball and baseball. In his senior year he became only the second Michigan athlete to be selected first team all state in three sports as he led the football team to the state quarter finals, the basketball team to league championship and the baseball team to the state championship.

Fillmore continued his athletic career at Central Michigan University where he played basketball as a freshman, baseball as a senior, and started at quarter for three years on the CMU football team. As a redshirt freshman he led the Chippewas to an 8-3 second place Mid-American Conference finish. In the second game of his sophomore year Fillmore completed 9 of 10 passes in the first half before suffering a season–ending knee injury. After extensive rehabilitation he returned to his starting position as a junior. Fillmore completed his three sport collage stint as a member of the MAC champion baseball team where he compiled a 4-1 pitching record in his senior season.

Gary Jozwiak - Coach - Class of 1993

Gary Jozwiak earned six letters at Midland High School, three each in football and track, the two sports he would later coach with great success at MHS. Jozwiak went on to play four years of football at the University of Wyoming.

Jozwiak coached for three years in Wyoming and California before he returned to his alma mater.

Through 1993, Jozwiak had amassed a track record of 173 wins, 27 losses and two ties, resulting in six league championships and two regional championships. Jozwiak has led the chemic track team for twenty-eight seasons.

Jozwiaks Chemic football coaching career through 1992 has included seven years as a varsity assistant, four years as the junior varsity head coach and eighteen years as the varsity head coach. He has compiled a record of 132 wins and 42 wins losses while leading MHS to nine league championships, four undefeated seasons, seven playoff appearances and a state runner-up finish in 1990.

Jozwiak has been Regional Coach of the Year six times, League Coach of the Year twice, and in 1993 was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Robert W. (Mickey) McMillen - Golf - Class of 1993

Robert W. (Mickey) Mcmillan, a life-long Midland resident, dominated the local golf scene for many years. In 1942, at age 18, Mickey won his first of four Midland County Club Championships. Mickey has won The Northern Michigan Open four times, including three in a row. He also won The Central Michigan Open and was the runner-up in The Michigan Amateur Open. In addition, Mickey was the first Club Champion at Sandy Ridge Golf Course and was the City Champion seven times; the last one being in 1973, at age 49, Mickey shot 36 straight pars.

Mickey has three holes in one to his credit and held a course record of 65 at the Midland County Club until the late 1980`s.

Al Quick - Class of 1993

Al Quick was a counselor, teacher, coach and athletic director for thirty-six years, the last twenty-five at H.H Dow High School in Midland. Quick coached football, baseball, golf and hockey as well as over seeing the entire athletic program at Dow.

Quick led his 1976 football team to an undefeated season and the state championship.

Quick was voted Regional Coach of the Year three times in football and Michigan’s football coach of the Year in 1976. He also was the first recipient of the Assistant Baseball Coach of the Year award in 1989. In addition, Quick was named Michigan Intersco-lastic Athletic Administrators Regional Athletic Director of the Year in 1989 and has been inducted into both the Michigan High School football coaches and the Michigan High School Coaches Halls of Fame. Quick was a counselor, teacher, coach and athletic director for thirty-six years, the last twenty-five at H.H Dow High School in Midland. Quick coached football, baseball, golf and hockey as well as over seeing the entire athletic program at Dow. Quick led his 1976 football team to an undefeated season and the state championship. Quick was voted Regional Coach of the Year three times in football and Michigan’s football coach of the Year in 1976. He also was the first recipient of the Assistant Baseball Coach of the Year award in 1989. In addition, Quick was named Michigan Intersco-lastic Athletic Administrators Regional Athletic Director of the Year in 1989 and has been inducted into both the Michigan High School football coaches and the Michigan High School Coaches Halls of Fame.

Vern Ruhle - Baseball - Class of 1993

Vern Ruhle was an outstanding baseball pitcher at Coleman High School. It was not uncommon for him to pitch every game of his team’s 14-16 game schedule and he once struck out 22 batters in one seven inning game.

Ruhle went on to star at Olivet Collage and was a seventeenth round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1972. Ruhle spent two years in the Minors before being promoted to the Tigers in September 1974.

Ruhle was the Tigers Rookie of the Year in 1975 and played with the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians and California Angels in his ten year major league career. Ruhle had his best year in 1980 when he compiled a record of 12-4 with a 2.38 ERA for the National League western division champion, Houston Astros. Ruhle retired in 1987 and entered the field of collage coaching.

Terry Stanton - Soccer - Class of 1993

Terrel G. (Terry) Stanton served as President of the Midland Soccer Club for twelve years (1982-1993) and established the club as one of the most respected in the Midwest.

Stanton led a group which emphasized soccer at all levels. He had been a proponent of the “Travel” program which allowed more competitive players in varies are groups to join leagues with teams throughout Michigan but has also given tireless energy to the “recreational” program which serves the needs of the average player as well.

In perhaps his greatest accomplishment, Stanton spearheaded an effort to raise $900,00,00 to build what was to become one of the finest amateur soccer complexes in the country. He was also responsible for the start of the clubs annual Mothers Day Tournament and the addition of soccer as a high school sport in the Midland Public Schools.

2900 youngsters and 600 adults annually enjoy playing soccer in an outstanding program and on national-class fields largely die to the efforts of Terry Stanton.

Larry Brown - Administrator - Class of 1992

Larry Brown was Midland`s first Parks and Recreation director and has been called “the farther of Midland Softball”. Mr. Brown was instrumental in the layout and building of Emerson Park. He was also active in the formation of the Chemical City AC`s which later evolved into the Dow AC`s. Brown is also a member of the Michigan Amateur Hall of Fame.

Loren Dinkle - Baseball/Softball - Class of 1992

Loren Dinkle was an outstanding baseball and softball player. He played four years of baseball as Central Michigan University and after forty years still ranks second in two batting categories. Dinkle played six years with Dow AC`s softball team and was the teams leading hitter in three of those years. He played in three national tournaments and in 1952 was named to the Amateur Softball Association All-American Team.

Jack Finn - Coach/Administration - Class of 1992

Jack Finn was a head football coach in high school and collage for 39 years with a 219-122-8 record, winning eight conference and two State Championships. In 1966 and 1968, he was named Michigan High School Football coach of the Year and in 1983, he was inducted into the Michigan Football coaches’ Hall of Fame.

For nineteen years, he was also a high school track coach winning the class A State championships in 1964, 1967, 1968 and was named Michigan High School Track coach of the Year in 1968.

In his twenty years as Athletic Director of Northwood Institute, Finn built a well-rounded program of men and women’s sport and was a co-founder of the, Great Lakes Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Bill Humphrey - Umpire - Class of 1992

Bill Humphrey is a Midland native who has umpired softball for over thirty years. Humphrey has been ac-knowledged as one of the foremost authorities on fast pitch rules and mechanics in the United States. As an umpire, Bill has worked at nearly every level of competition including four ASA Men’s Major National Fast Pitch Championships, two U.S Olympic festivals, World Games I, the 1984 I.S.F World Championship and the NCAA Division I College World Series.

As a member of the ASA National Umpire staff and co-founder of the ASA National Umpire School, Humphrey has presented umpire schools and clinics throughout the country and Europe.

Don Traxler - Paddleball - Class of 1992

Don Traxler has played competitive paddleball since the 1960`s. He has won numerous city and state championships. In the mid-80`s, Traxler won an unprecedented six national championships in the Masters Divison. In 1992, Traxler won the Golden Masters National Championship and also finished as runner-up in the Masters Division.

In addition to his accomplishments as a player, Traxler has coordinated several state and national tournaments and also served as a member of the National Paddleball Association Board of Directors.

Patrick Weiler - Runner - Class of 1992

Pat Weiler was an athlete at Meridian High school who further distinguished himself as a runner at Aquinas Collage in Grand Rapids. Weiler was a cross-country All-American and was a five –time All-American in the steeplechase including one year as national champion in the event. He continued his running career with the famed Santa Monica Track Club and in 1980 received an invitation to the Olympic Trials. The U.S boycott of the 1980 Olympics dashed his Olympic Dream.

Julius Blasy - Athlete/Coach/Ambassador - Class of 1991

Julius Blasy, a longtime Midland City Councilman and mayor, also distinguished himself as a coach, athlete and champion for sports facilities. He coached Little League baseball for several years and also founded the Midland Speedskating Club in 1956. He served as the club’s coach for thirty years and coached many State, National and North American Champions as well as several Olympians. He was the driving force and most encouraging friend of every athlete with whom he worked.

Blasy was a competitive weightlifter, winning four State Championships in the featherweight class. He was the innovator for introducing weight training to the other Midland athletes many years before it became the mainstay of athletic conditioning. An ambition and optimistic ambassador for the city, he became known as “Mr. Midland”.

Dick Dudzik - Softball - Class of 1991

Dick Dudzik played first and third base for the Dow AC’s from 1948-55 after gaining earlier softball honors in the Chicago area as well as in the military. While with the Dow AC’s Dudzik was elected to the All-World Softball Team in 1952, the All-Regional Team in 1953 and was the regional Tournament’s Most Valuable Player in ’53. Dudzik, who was Dow’s leading hitter in ’53, is featured in a softball hitting film as well as several publications.

Dick Dudzik has previously been inducted into the Fenger High School Hall of Fame, the Roseland-Pullman Hall of Fame and the Michigan Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame.

Dave Keilitz - Baseball - Class of 1991

Dave Keilitz won four letters at Midland High School, two each in baseball and basketball. He went on to play baseball at Central Michigan University and was that school’s first NAIA All-American baseball player in 1964. He established nineteen game, season and career hitting records. He served CMU as a graduate assistant baseball coach before being named Freshman Coach and in 1970 Head Baseball Coach. As Head Coach for fourteen seasons, Keilitz compiled a 456-203 record, coached for Mid-American Conference Champions, was named MAC Coach of the Year four times and twice was Regional Coach of the Year. Keilitz was appointed Athletic Director at Central in 1984 and in 1989 became the youngest person ever inducted in the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Jim Kern - Baseball - Class of 1991

Jim kern pitched baseball for the 1967 American Legion State Championship Berryhill Team and went on to pitch in professional baseball for eleven years. He pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and six other major league clubs. In 1974, Kern was named AAA American Association Pitcher of the Year and in 1979 he was named the American League Relief Pitcher of the Year. Kern was also named to the American League All-Star Team three times, in 1977, ’78 and ’79.

Jack Kett - Softball - Class of 1991

Jack Kett began his long career in softball as a Figure 8 pitcher in 1935 for Gill Lumber of Ann Arbor. He was the first player recruited by Jimmy Walsh and Larry Brown for the Chemical City Athletic Club in 1940.

In 1942 the name was changed to the Dow Athletic Club. He pitched, played first base, and the outfield for Dow. Kett had a lifetime batting average of .301, was the clean-up batter for Dow, and made nearly every All-Star Team ever drawn in the National Fastpitch League.

Known as the Babe Ruth of Softball, Kett amassed 88 homeruns from 1946-1953. He batted over .300 every year but one, and in 1947 handled 389 fielding chances with only one error. Kett was a member of the Dow AC’s two World Championship teams in 1948 and 1951, retiring in 1953.

He was inducted in the Michigan Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame in 1982.

Gene Kline - Bowling - Class of 1991

Gene Kline has been involved in bowling in Midland for twenty-eight years. He established himself in 1976 as a bowler by being the first bowler in Midland to bowl two 700 series in the same season. In 1976, he set a City high Series record of 735 and in 1983 won the City All Events Actual Title.

Kline's greatest contributions to the sport, however, have come outside the lanes. He has been a member of the Midland Bowling Association Board since 1968, serving as vice president, president, and for five years as secretary. He has also served youth bowling as a director and a coach.

Kline is currently on the Board of Directors of the American Bowling Congress serving on the prestigious Equipment and Specifications Committee. He has toured the country instructing lane inspectors and has made Midland one the first areas in the country to form a joint lane inspection committee with both the men's and women's associations.

Dick Lange - Baseball - Class of 1991

Dick Lange was a three sport star at Bullock Creek High School (football, basketball, baseball) and then went on to star in baseball at Central Michigan University and in the professional ranks. Dick had a career record of 20-4 at Central Michigan University and threw seven shutouts. He struck out 99 batters in 1970 and had a career strikeout record of 229. Dick signed with the California Angels following a 9-2 1970 season. He posted a 13-0 record in his first season of minor league ball. He played in the major leagues for three seasons and was in professional baseball for eight seasons.

Dr. Lewis Lloyd - Skating - Class of 1991

Dr. Lewis Lloyd moved to Midland in 1937 and became involved with a figure skating group in Saginaw. After building a natural ice surface in his backyard and establishing a community interest in the sport, Dr. Lewis led the effort to have an artificial ice rink constructed in Midland. Dr. Lloyd was named by the City Council to the City Advisory Skating Committee which was responsible for the rink. In 1955, Dr. Lloyd, with other interested persons, founded the Midland Figure Skating Club and set up a learn-to-skate program through which literally thousands of children and adults have learned to enjoy skating skills. Dr. Lloyd then teamed with Julius Blasy in leading the effort to have the Midland Civic Arena constructed for indoor skating. Dr. Lloyd was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Midland Figure Skating Club and continued teaching skating until shortly before his death in 1988, at age 81.

Meredith McGrath - Tennis - Class of 1991

Meredith McGrath has won scores of tennis events as an amateur. In 1989 she was the runner-up in the Wimbledon Girls Singles Championship and won the Wimbledon Girls Doubles Championships in ’88 and ’89. McGrath is the only player to have won 3 consecutive U.S. Open Junior Doubles titles in 1987 through 89 in the 63 year history of the event.

McGrath is also the only three time winner of the Michigan High School State Tennis Championships. In 1989 as a freshman at Stanford University, McGrath finished the tennis season ranked by the NCAA’s #2 singles and #1 in doubles.

She turned pro in 1990 and has achieved a ranking as #10 in the world in doubles and #25 in the world in singles. These tremendous achievements were all accomplished before Meredith McGrath reached her 20th birthday.

Eino Pulkiner - Coach - Class of 1991

Eino Pulkiner was the baseball coach at Midland High School compiling a record of 218-49 including twenty-five winning seasons. Pulkiner was the coach of Midland’s first American Legion Jr. Baseball Team. He was also the second baseman for the original Dow AC softball team which won the state title in 1942 and played in the national tournament.

Eino Pulkiner is a member of the first class inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame, is in the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame and the Central Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1991, Pulkiner received the Lloyd Osborn Award for contributions to Midland Youth.

Terry Collins - Baseball/Softball - Class of 1990

Terry Collins enjoyed an outstanding three sport career at Midland High School in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to Eastern Michigan University where he lettered four times in baseball. He played on the 1970 NAIA National Championship team and was named that tournament’s Outstanding Fielder. Collins led EMU in hitting in 1969 and was named the team’s MVP in 1971.

Collins moved on from Eastern to professional baseball where he played ten years in the minor league systems of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of the highlights of Collins’ playing career came in 1971 when he was named to the NY-Penn League All-Star Team. Collins interrupted his baseball career in 1979 to play and manage the Midland McArdle Softball Team. He led McArdle to the National Championship in front of the home fans.

Collins then returned to professional baseball where he has managed at the A, AA and AAA levels as well as in leagues in Mexico and the Dominican League in 1985 and Minor League Manager of the Year by the Sporting News in 1987.

Gilbert A. Currie - Administrator/Benefactor - Class of 1990

Gilbert A. Currie was a Midland attorney for fifty-four years and also served as a U.S. Congressman. Currie’s vision and generosity have had a major impact on recreational athletes in Midland.

Currie was president of the Midland Country Club for twenty-two years and was instrumental in the construction of the golf course there.

In 1952 Currie, concerned with the Country Club’s decision to ban non-members, offered to construct a municipal golf course and donate it to the City. The City Council accepted and Currie personally designed and oversaw the construction of the eighteen hole Currie East Course which opened in 1954. He subsequently donated the clubhouse, a lighted par 3 Course and the nine hole Currie West Course all at no cost to the City.

In 1935, it was Currie who encouraged the Emerson Drug Company to donate their property to the City for what is now known as Emerson Park. Currie then contributed $80,000.00 for construction of a 3300 seat softball stadium in that park.

Clyde Dexter - Softball - Class of 1990

Clyde Dexter came to Midland in 1940 as a pitcher for the Chemical City Athletic Club. Dexter’s first game in Midland was a nineteen strikeout, no hit, no run game and he never looked back.

Dexter’s pitching career in Midland, cut short by a back injury, spanned thirteen seasons and included one National Fastball League Championship, and one ASA World Championship, three East Central Regional Championships, five State Championships and four World Championship appearances. Clyde’s personal achievements were outstanding as well, as he was named ASA All American in ’51 and ’53, was the National Fastball League MVP in ’47 and ’50 and in 1957 was named to the All Time National All-Star Team.

Dexter’s greatest moment in softball came in the semi-final of the 1951 World Tournament in which he pitched twenty-one shutout innings and won the game with a grand slam home run. In addition to his softball exploits, Dexter ran the Jr. AC baseball program for eleven years, coached the American Legion baseball team for three years and was a member of the American Legion National Basketball Champions in 1947.

Larry Jaster - Baseball - Class of 1990

Larry Jaster earned eight varsity letters from Midland High School in football, basketball and baseball. He was an All-State first team football player in 1962 and was named to the All-Saginaw Valley League first teams in both football and baseball.

In 1962 Jaster signed a bonus contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that started him on a playing career which included three major league teams, the Cardinals, the Montreal Expos and the Atlanta Braves.

Jaster compiled a 35-33 win – loss record in the majors with a lifetime ERA of 3.65. He pitched in the World Series in ’67 and ’68 and in 1966 put his name in the baseball record book by pitching shutouts in five consecutive appearances against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Following his playing days, Jaster received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgia State and a Masters Degree from the University of New Mexico. He entered the field of coaching in 1977 at Colorado Springs High School where he coached baseball until 1981. He then moved to the University of New Mexico as baseball coach from 81-85 and then to the Atlanta Braves where he served as a minor league pitching coach for the entire Braves system.

Al Linde - Softball - Class of 1990

Al Linde is recognized as one of the finest softball players ever to play the game. He is in both the National and Michigan Amateur Softball Halls of Fame.

Linde played on seven ASA National Champion teams including the 1951 Dow team. In all Linde played in sixteen World Tournaments and was named All-American five times.

Linde stood out both as a pitcher and as a hitter. As a pitcher he compiled 120 no-hitters, twenty-five perfect games and over 15,000 strike-outs. Is record in national competition is 40-2. Linde was the leading hitter in the 1952 World Tournament and has a lifetime batting average of .301. Linde’s playing career included teams in Wisconsin, Arizona, Oklahoma, California and Michigan. He played on consecutive ASA championship teams in ’42, ’43 and ’44 and at one point won 109 consecutive games as a pitcher.

Charlie Moss - Swimmer - Class of 1990

Charles Moss has held nine world records in four different age groups in swimming. In the 1988 FINA/MSI World Masters Swimming Championships in Brisbane, Australia he won four events in the 60-64 age group.

His accomplishments at the national and state levels are as impressive as his world-level achievements. He has established numerous national and state records in the four major strokes and the individual medley in four different master age groups. He has been selected to the USMS All-American team for fifteen consecutive years from 1975-89. Prior to moving to Midland, Moss captured Jr. National Championships, Prep School National Championships and competed on several Big Ten and NCAA champion relay teams while at the University of Michigan. Moss was also a member of the U.S. team in the first Pan American Games in 1951 in Argentina.

Howard Mudd - Football - Class of 1990

Howard Mudd was an outstanding football player for Central Intermediate and Midland High School. He was Central’s quarterback and MVP in 1955. He won three letters at Midland High and was MVP and Captain as a senior. He was an All-Conference Player two years. Second Team All-State as a junior and First Team All-State his senior year. Mudd helped Midland to the State Football Championship in his junior year. Mudd went to Michigan State on a football scholarship in ’59 and ’60 then transferred to Hillsdale College where he was twice named to the AP all-State Small College team.

Mudd was drafted in 1964 by San Francisco 49’ers and began a pro playing career that spanned seven seasons, six with the 49’ers and one with the Chicago Bears. He was named All-Pro in ’67 and ’68 and later to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1960’s.

Mudd retired from playing in 1971 after a knee injury and began a football coaching career. He began with two years at the University of California-Berkeley and then moved to the NFL as an offensive line coach. He has served in that capacity with the SanDiego Chargers, San Francisco 49’ers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lloyd Osborn - Coach - Class of 1990

Lloyd Osborn was an outstanding coach and educator for the Midland Public Schools. He coached football, basketball and baseball at Northeast Intermediate and also served as their Athletic Director until his death.

Wins and losses were not the measure of Lloyd Osborn’s success; he was a builder of men. He taught the basic fundamentals of athletics as well as of life. Osborn’s reputation as an educator and coach made him a legend to all who came in contact with him.

Still today the Midland community recognizes the contributions of Osborn as each year the award that goes to Midland’s Outstanding Contributor to Athletics is called the Lloyd Osborn Award.

David Russell - Administrator - Class of 1990

David Russell was Director of the Midland Community Center for thirty-two years. Russell supervised the first outdoor pool in Midland and served on construction committees for such recreational facilities as Currie Stadium, the Midland Civic Arena and the swimming pools in the Midland Public Schools.

Russell, a three sport athlete at Eastern Michigan University, channeled love for sport into a career of providing recreation for others.

Russell was the driving force behind the construction of the Midland Community Center facility on George Street which still today is recognized as one of the finest in the country. Russell was truly an advocate of a total recreation program and worked diligently to see that programs were extended to all segments of Midland’s population.

Russell’s efforts made Midland a better place for three generations of Midlander’s.

Kayla Skelly - Track/Cross Country - Class of 1990

Kayla Skelly excelled as a runner, in her youth with the Midland Fleet Feet program, at Midland High and later at Western Michigan University.

Skelly won the AAU Jr. National Cross Country Championship and the USTFF 9 & under Cross Country National Championship in 1973 as well as the USTFF 10 & under Cross Country National Championship in 1974. In 1979 she won the National Jr. Olympic Cross Country Championship in the 14-15 age group.

While at Midland High School, Skelly was the Michigan High School Individual Cross Country Champion for three consecutive years and in 1982 won both the 1600m and 3200m State Championships with a state record time in 3200m. Skelly continued her running career at Western Michigan University where she won seven individual Mid-American Conference Track Championships, two Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships and was twice the runner-up to Conference Cross Country Champion.

Skelly was an NCAA Division I All-American Cross Country Runner in 1985, was first team Academic All-American in 1986, and a second team Academic All-American in 1984 and 1985. In addition, she also qualified for the 1988 Olympic Trials with a time of 2:49.08 in her first marathon.

Bob Stoppert - Coach - Class of 1990

Bob Stoppert came to Midland in 1943 as Head Basketball Coach and Assistant Football Coach. He became the Head Football Coach in 1953, serving in that capacity until he retired in 1974.

During his twenty-two years at the helm of the Chemics, he had a 128-58-6 record. His teams won ten league titles and two State Championships. His teams finished in the top ten teams in the state ten times.

Stoppert was named Michigan’s High School Football coach of the Year in 1957 and in 1968; he was named Coach of the Year for a five state region in 1977 and was also named runner-up to the National Coach of the Year in 1977.

While best known as a football coach, Stoppert also distinguished himself in other sports. He coached the Midland American Legion basketball team to the National Championship in 1947 and he led the Chemic baseball teams from 1960 until 1971. His record as a baseball coach was 168-67. Stoppert is a member of Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Walsh - Softball - Class of 1990

Jimmy Walsh came to Midland in 1940 after winning nine letters in football, basketball and baseball at Eastern Michigan University. Walsh played and coached the Chemical City Athletic Club softball team. In 1941, with Dow Chemical assuming control of the Athletic Club, Walsh played and coached the basketball team as well as the softball team. His basketball teams won the AAU State Championship in ’42 and ’43 and his softball teams won five state championships.

Walsh was appointed to the position of Dow Athletic Director and in that position was responsible for bringing many fine athletes and great people to Midland. He continued to manage the softball team and his teams won the National fast pitch League Championship in ’48 and the ASA World Championship in ’51.

Walsh re-entered the softball world in the 70’s as a coach for the McArdle teams which won the National and World Championships. He is a member of the E-Club at Eastern Michigan University, the E.M.U. Athletic Hall of Fame and then in 1982 was inducted into the Michigan Amateur Softball Hall of Fame.