Graduate of Northland Pines High School, class of 1988, was a three-sport athlete lettering in volleyball, basketball & track all four years. In volleyball, Kim was first team all-conference in the Lumberjack Conference her junior year. In basketball, she was second team all-conference as a sophomore, honorable mention as a junior and first team as a senior, when she was co-captain and co-MVP. During her varsity basketball career, the Eagles won two Lumberjack co-championships in 1985-'86 and 1986-'87. In track, Kim was part of the 1985 State Championships 1,600-meter relay team and was part of the 400-, 800- and 1,600-meter State qualifying relay teams in 1988. The 1988 400-meter relay team that she was part of still holds the current outdoor school record at 51.2 seconds. After high school, Kim attended community college and then returned back to the North Woods to raise a family and continue to support her three children, Emily, Riley and Roen, who also attended Northland Pines and were part of the athletic program though multiple sports.

Graduate of Northland Pines High School, class of 1987, earned eight varsity letters in hockey and track. In football, he served as the starting quarterback his sophomore to senior years and captain his senior year. Under his leadership, the Eagles were undefeated Lumberjack Conference champions and the State runner-up in 1986. He was second team all-conference in 1984, honorable mention in 1985 and first team in 1986. He held NPHS records for touchdown passes in a single game (3) and season (11) for many years. In hockey, Mike earned four letters and was co-captain his junior and senior years. He earned North Central Hockey Conference honorable mention all conference in 1985., second team in 1986 and first team in 1987. He contributed to the team's Sectional and State championships in 1986 and a conference championship in 1987. He is tied for sixth all-time scoring with his brother John (70 goals/65 assists/135 points). Mike also lettered in track in 1984 and 1985, competing in the 100-, and 400-meter dashes, 4x400-meter relay and long jump. After high school, Mike continued his athletic career with Team Wisconsin hockey in 1987, USHL Junior A Hockey with the Madison Capitols (1987-88) and Waterloo Blackhawks (1988-89), and Division 3 college hockey at UW-Eau Claire (1989-92). Mike is married to Patty Thomas (NPHS 1986) and they have two sons, Aiden and Brody. Currently residing in Cottage Grove, MN., Mike enjoys giving back to the community by coaching youth hockey.

Graduate of Northland Pines High School, class of 1987, earned seven varsity letters, including four in hockey and three in golf. During his senior golf season, Mark's team went 65-0, including a Sectional title and the Fall Golf State Championship. He was All-Conference his junior and senior years and was medalist at one conference meet. In hockey, Mark was a four-year letter winner, member of two State Championship teams and first team All-Conference his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was captain his junior and senior years. Mark was among the NPHS all-time leaders in number of games played and penalty minutes. He also is the all-time leader in goals, assists and points. Mark went on to play two years in the USHL and four years at UW-Eau Claire. After graduating with a teaching/coaching degree, Mark coached four years of high school hockey in Wisconsin and then moved to Colorado with his wife, Julie, to embark on a sales career, working with Bill Sparks, Dennis Snedden and Mike Mule', all NPHS Athletic HOF inductees. In Colorado, Mark coached 12 years of hockey, winning seven State Championships. He also coached five years of soccer and softball. Mark and Julie have two daughters, Ally and Jenny, who played together on the 2016 Colorado 5A State Championship softball team. The Richters reside in Brighton, Co., but travel to Eagle River often to visit family and friends.

Brian Eliason, a 1995 graduate, is among a limited number of Northland Pines athletes who have participated in NCAA Division I athletics. A varsity letterwinner on the UW-Madison men's golf team from 1996-99, Brian was named 1997 Most Improved Player with the fifth lowest average for the Badgers and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. After graduating from UW in 1999, he graduated from UW Law School in 2002. Prior to his success at UW, Brian had a dominating high school golf career. Coached by Rollie Christensen (2014 inductee). Brian was a four-time varsity letterwinner, three-time MVP and the individual medalist in more than 20 events. Brian was a three-time Lumberjack Conference (LJC) All-Conference selection, a two-time LJC individual champion, and the leader of the Eagles' 1995 Regional championship team. In addition to being a four-time Academic All-State selection, Brian qualified individually for two WIAA Division 2 State Golf Championships, earning 3rd-place finishes and All-State selections his junior and senior years. Brian's golf accolades continued outside of high school and college, with six 2nd-place finishes in the WSAW Channel 7 Golf Classic, high finishes in numerous WPGA State Opens and WSGA Junior, Amateur,and Match Play championships, and winner of the 1996 Golf Foundation of Wisconsin Junior Invitational. Most notably, Brian was the sole Wisconsin qualifier for the 1995 United States Golf Association U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Perhaps his proudest golf moment, however, was his daughters' golf team (Ava and Anna) winning the 2023 South Dakota High School Girls' Class AA Championship.

Greg Gremban, a 1987 Northland Pines graduate, earned 11 varsity letters, including four in golf. Three in basketball and four in track and field. In golf, Greg was on teams that won four Lumberjack Conference (LJC) titles. He was named All-Conference his sophomore, junior and senor years; voted MVP as a junior and senior, and was LJC medalist as a senior. During his senior season, the Eagles won a Sectional title and the Fall State Championship with a 65-0 season record. In basketball, Greg was a three-year starter at point guard. He was MVP as a junior and senior, and was second team All-Conference as a senior, and was second team All-Conference as a senior. During Greg's tenure in track and field, the Eagles won the LJC meet all four years and won the LJC dual meet championship his junior and senior years. The team won the Regional in 1986 and 1987, and Sectional in 1987. He was the LJC champion in the 800-meter run in a conference record 2:00 and was a member of the LJC champion 1600-meter relay in a conference record 3-31. He was a Sectional qualifier in the 800-meter run and 1600-meter relay, and was a State qualifier in 1600-meter relay, anchoring the relay to an 8th place finish at State in 1987. Greg was named team MVP and captain his senior year and received the Coaches Captain Award for all sports his senior year. He finished his track career with two school recordsthat stood for years (800-meter run at 1:58 and 1600-meter run at 4:39). Greg and his wife Amy, have three children: Jack; sam, who holds the 1600-meter run Northland Pines school record at 4:26; and Nora, who has six State track and cross-country titles.

Graduate of Northland Pines, class of 1988, earned 10 varsity letters in football, track and basketball. In football, he was a two-way starter on the 1986 State finalist team. He earned Lumberjack Conference (LJC) first team All-Conference in 1986 and second team in 1987. Mark was a Wisconsin High School Coaches Association all-district defensive back his junior year. In track, Mark was a member of the 1987 and 1988 conference champion and State qualifier in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles his junior and senior years. He also was a member of the State-qualifying 1,600-meter relay team his junior year. In basketball, Mark was a varsity starter his junior and senior years. He was voted the coaches Outstanding Male Athlete as a senior. Following high school, Mark attended Ripon College where he continued with athletics starting all four years as a defensive back and earning All-Conference honors his junior and senior years. With a little persuasion by his father, Mark also tried out for Ripon's baseball team and became a four-year starter in centerfield, earning All-Conference his junior and senior years. After graduating from Ripon, Mark returned to the North Woods raising his family, staying involved in his children's activities and volunteering his time as a board member and coach for the Northland pines Youth Football and Cheer Program.

Mike Dillahunt, a 1986 graduate of Northland pines High School, was a nine-time letterwinner in football, track and basketball. In football, he was team captain and MVP; All-Conference first team offense and defense; Offensive Player of the Year in the Lumberjack Conference; Shriners All-Star Football Team; and All-State honorable mention on defense. Mike was the team leading rusher in 1984 and 1985, conference leading rusher in 1985 and held the school single-game rushing record at 287 yards. In track, he was captain and MVP of the 1986 Conference and Regional champion track team; Conference and Regional champion in the long jump and 4x400-meter relay; and Conference, Regional and Sectional champion and State finalist in the 4x100-meter relay. Mike set school records in the 200 and 400, and the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays. In basketball, Mike states, "A lack of skill was a consistent source of frustration to a good coach and better man, Paul Nemec." Mike was a 1990 graduate of UW-Madison and 1993 graduate of the UW Law School. He is the son of Ray Dillahunt (2013) NPHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductee) and Connie Dilahunt; and brother of Tom Dillahunt (2023 Hall of Fame inductee) and Chelle Dillahunt (2019 Hall of Fame inductee).

Tom Dillahunt, a 1985 graduate of Northland Pines High School, played three sports each year  for the Eagles, earning seven varsity letters in wrestling, track, football and basketball. He was named captain in football and track his senior year. He was fortunate to be coached by father, Ray Dillahunt, in football and track. Tom held the school record for the 110-meter high hurdles for 19 years and set records in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and as a member of the 1985 4x100-meter relay team. He was Lumberjack Conference Champion in the 110 hurdles in 1984 and 1985. He participated in the State Track and Field Tournament in 1984 and 1985, placing fifth in the 110 hurdles in 1984 and second in 1985. He also ran in the 300 hurdles and the 4x100-meter relay at State in 1985. Tom went on to compete in track his freshman year at St. Norbert College (1986), placing second in the 110 hurdles in the conference meet. He lettered in 1986 and ended his collegiate athletic career that same year. Tom continued to be involved in college athletics with the St. Norbert Cheerleading Team, eventually becoming captain his senior year. Tom and his wife, Jodi, moved back to Eagle River in 2017 so that their children, Dylan and Bryce, would be able to experience Northland Pines as they did growing up.

A 1979 graduate of New London Senior High School, Ken Kluever earned four varsity letters. As a senior, he was a unanimous All East Conference selection in baseball as a second baseman. In 1984, he graduated from UW-Whitewater with a bachelor of science degree in business education with a minor in coaching. He began hhis teaching career at Northland Pines High School in the fall of 1984 and was a business education teacher for 34 years. He also served as the School-to-Work coordinator for several years. At Northland Pines, Ken coached junior varsity basketball for two years, varsity boys basketball for six years and served as the District Activities Director for 12 years. Duting this time, he also was a WIAA official for basketball, football and softball. Ken also coached youth basketball for six years and is a volunteer/coach for Northern Access Special Olympics. In 2020, Ken received a Great Northern Conference Lifetime Pass in recognition for his outstanding service to the conference and high school athletics. Following his retirement as a teacher, Ken and his family continue to support the Eagles as fans at many Northland Pines athletic events.

Leaving his hometown after graduation, Richard 'Rick' Caudill pursued the music business traveling around the state in bands. He began driving school bus in Waukesha, then returned home years later and began driving bus for Northland Pines School District students and athletes. He drove a daily bus route and drove to various sporting events from 1986-2020, while building life-long relationships with hundrreds of students, coaches, parents, and teachers. Ryan Clark (boys basketball coach at the time) coaxed Rick to take over the job of public address announcer for the boys basketball team, which led to the "Voice of the Eagles" for girls basketball, then volleyball and finally baseball. Currently, he still announces these sports for the Eagles after 19 years. Rick says, "I love my Eagles and am grateful to serve while hopefully encourage people. Most importantly, I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and became a born-again Christian in 1991. God has given me a love for people which I hope to convey to others the rest of my life, and I am thankful to have the formidable privilege to be the 'Voice of the Eagles' as students have called me for years. I am humbly honored to be part of the Northland Pines Athletic Hall of Fame. And now, it's gametime!"

Darlene 'Dar' Kadulski graduated from Niagara High School in 1969 and attended UW-Oshkosh, graduating in 1973. She began her educationcareer in the Crandon School District. After two years, she moved to the Northland Pines School District where she continued teaching in the middle school for 40 years. In those early years, Dar was instrumental in developing the middle school intramural girls volleyball program for Northland Pines students in grades 6, 7 and 8, with enrollment reaching 130 girls. She also was the high school girls volleyball coach for two years. She also coached in the middle school girls intramural basketball program for four years. Dar's involvement in sports began in junior high school as she followed her younger brothers' various sporting activities. While teaching at Crandon, she became involved in keeping scorebook at boys basketball games. She continued her interest in both boys basketball games. She continued her interest in both boys and girls basketball at Northland Pines by doing the scorebook for freshman boys basketball games held in the former Kracht Gymnasium of the middle school. Dar eventually advanced to doing boys and girls basketball games at the high school, here she continued working the book and score/time clock for almost 40 years.

Jack Stoskopf Jr. is a 1978 graduate of Northland Pines High School. Hecoached hockey for 34 years, starting as head coach at Paceilli High School at age 20. He became an assistant coach at UW-Stevens Point where he coached his brothers, Mike and Jeff. He became the head hockey coach at Stevens Point Area Senior High School at age 25, where his record was 319-94-12. His high school teams won 12 Sectional championships and advanced to the State championship four rimes with three second-place finishes and one title in 2002. Jack was named the Wisconsin Valley Conference Coach of the Year numerous times and received the Bob Johnson Coach of the Year award in 1994. Jack received his bachelors and masters degrees in education from UW_Stevens Point. In 2013, he earned a doctorate degree in education leadership from Edgewood College in Madison. His 37 years in education included 21 years teaching, five years as technology director and 11 years as assistant superintendent for business services. Outside of education, Jack was an eight-year member of the Chain Skimmer Water Ski Team and was integral in the team's purchase of Lake Pleasant for the show site. For 20 years, Jack owned and operated the Center for Excellence, which promoted excellence in athletics and academics.

  Mike Stoskopf graduated from Northland Pines High School in 1980, participating in football and hockey. He played center for the varsity football team as a senior. Mike played varsity hockey for four years, helping the Eagles win the conference championship and advancing to the State Hockey Tournament all four years. As a senior, serving as assistant captain, he was the conference's leading scorer and was named first team all-conference, conference Player of the Year and team MVP. He went on to play at UW-Stevens Point from 1981-84, serving as captain his senior year. He also obtained his teaching degree in 1986. Mike taught physical education in Hudson for 30 years, coached at the Eagle River Summer Hockey School for eight years and taught fifth grade Sunday school for 20 years. Mike's high school coaching career started in Antigo in the 1987-88 season. He then moved to Hudson where he coached for 24 years from 1988-2012. His career record was 360-185-18. During that time, Hudson won eight conference championships, seven Sectional championships and State Championships in 2001 and 2004. He was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015. Mike was a member of the Chain Skimmers Water Ski Team from 1976-1982.

A 1987 graduate of Northland Pines High School, Jean Kaczkowski Mirwald was a three-sport athlete earning eight varsity letters. In track and field, she lettered all four years, participated in the State Track Meet three times, earned over 600 points and was voted captain her senior year. She helped the Eagles win the Lumberjack Conference title in 1985 and the WIAA Sectional in 1986. She was a member of the 1985 State Champion 800- and 1600-meter relay teams, holding school records in the 800 (1:46.44) and 1600 (4:01.8) relays. A versatile athlete, Jean held the school record in the triple jump at one point with a personal best of 32 feet, 11 1/4 inches. Jean played basketball all four years, her junior and senior years on varsity. She helped lead her team to the Lumberjack co-championship her junior year, scoring a team-high 136 points in conference play. She was named the team's Most Valuable Player and first team All-Conference her junior year and was second team All-Conference as a senior. Jean was a two-year letterwinner in volleyball, named Most Valuable Player and second team All-Conference as a junior, and co-captain and first team All-Conference as a senior. Jean was also the proud recipient of the U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award her junior year, and the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award and Coaches Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award her senior year. She has continued to enjoy athletics as an adult and loves watching her children play sports. Jean and her husband Scott, have two children, Ryan Rachel.

Graduate of Northland Pines, class of 1982, was a proud member of the football, basketball and track teams during his high school years. In 1981, the Eagles football team compiled a 10-0 record in the Lumberjack Conference and went on to win a quarterfinal playoff game against Little Chute, but fell to Baldwin-Woodville in the semifinal round. Mohn played wingback on offense and safety on defense. Mohn was named the Lumberjack all-conference first team and the All-District team as well as the Channel 7 special mention team. During the winter, Mohn was the captain of the Eagles basketball team. Mohn also enjoyed running track in the spring of 1981, going to the WIAA State Track and Field Meet as part of the 1600-meter relay team and finishing in the sixth place. Mohn was named Northland Pines Male Athlete of the Year in 1982. Mohn now lives in the Upper Peninsula with his wife, Carrie, and fully appreciates the years spent at Northland Pines.

Cathy (Cox) Newton graduated from Northland Pines High School (NPHS) in 1978. While at Pines, Newton was a hockey cheerleader, track manager and yearbook editor. She graduated from Northern Michigan University (NMU) in 1982 with a business education degree. At NMU, Newton was a hockey cheerleader for four years, captain for three years and cheered in two NCAA Frozen Fours (1980 and 1981). After college, Newton began her first teaching and coaching position at Ripon High School. She moved to Wausau in 1985 to teach, and coach volleyball and softball at Wausau West. True to her NPHS roots, she also advised the West award-winning yearbook and magazine. Newton discovered her coaching passion withing the sport of volleyball. During more than 35 years as the West varsity coach, Newton's teams qualified for State seven times and earned multiple Sectional, Regional and conference titles. She coached more than 75 all-conference players, 12 All-State players and many athletes who continued playing careers at the collegiate level. Newton earned her 700th varsity volleyball match win in August of 2019. Newton also coached softball for 33 years at the varsity and junior varsity levels, qualifying for three State tournament appearances, Newton served on Wisconsin Valley, WIAA and Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association committees throughout her career. She is most proud of her athletes continuing to give back to the game as coaches and officials. She attributes her successful career to the support of her husband, Pete, their two boys, Matt and Marcus, outstanding assistant coaches, players and families, coaching mentors and peers, and school administrators.

Graduate of Northland Pines High school, class of 1982, earned three letters in football, four in hockey and one in track. He was a member of the 1981 Hall of Fame football team and the undefeated Lumberjack Conference champions. In his senior year, he achieved first team all-conference honors as an offensive guard and defensive end. He was the Eagles' team captain, and named most valuable lineman. He tied for the honor of Lumberjack Conference Lineman of the year. He also was named a Channel 7 All-Star and earned All-District recognition. In hockey, McCormick played in two State Tournaments and in a third season, a Sectional championship game. He was named to the first team all-conference his sophomore and senior seasons, and second team all-conference as a junior. In his senior year, he was the Eagles' team captain and conference most valuable player, and was elected All-State team. Participating in track his senior, McCormick competed in the discus and shot put. In his final year at Northland Pines, he was honored with the Principal's Captain Award. McCormick played college hockey at UW-Stevens Point for two years, lettering as a freshman and sophomore. Following graduation, he was employed for nearly 20 years by a national engineering company, primarily as a district/associate principal. In 2009, McCormick relocated to Alaska to work for a major oil company managing capital and infrastructure projects, residing in Soldotna, Alaska.

David Cox, a 1984 graduate of Northland Pines High School, has been an athlete, coach and loyal fan of Eagles athletics. He lettered in golf and hockey, earning several all-conference and All-State honors during his career. Cox played for legendary coaches Ken Check, Orrin Mangseth and Tom Obrodovich. He and his teammates advanced to the State Tournament in golf in 1982 and 1984, and hockey in 1983 and 1984, winning the 1984 State Hockey Championship. Cox went on to play Junior hockey in the U.S. Hockey League for the North Iowa Huskies before accepting an academic/athletic scholarship to play at Augsburg University where he was an Academic All-American, earned all-conference honors, and was named captain and most valuable player his senior year. He majored in business administration with a minor in economics. Cox has coached nine seasons at Pines, from 1992-96 and 2016 to present, leading five teams to the State tournament while compiling a record of 162-53-7. His 2019-20 team finished as State runner-up after a 16-year tournament absence. Cox was voted conference Coach of the Year seven times. In 2019, he received the Wisconsin State Coaches Association's Bob Johnson Coach of the Year Award. At the center of Cox's support system is his wife Jennifer, and children, Carson, Connor, Cooper and Camryn. "It is a great honor to coach at my alma mater an represent the Pines hockey community. I would not be here today if it were not for the support of our community, past and present administration, my coaching staffs, teammates, players and family. I am deeply humbled to receive this honor and thank my parents, family and friends who all share in this day."

Joe Bucher - husband, father, youth football coach and fan of local youth sports - created an annual music and barbecue festival as a single fundraiser for Northland Pines youth football and cheerleading. Joe Bucher's Blues Fest has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Northland Pines youth sports. Bucher's own band, The Top Raiders, along with a host of other talented blues bands, perform at the outdoor concert the last Saturday of July. Bucher also orchestrates some of the best southern-smoked barbecue festgoers will find in the North Woods. Bucher has been involved in Northland Pines youth football and cheerleading since its inception in 1994. The organization also hosted fundraising banquets where Bucher was always a major contributor of raffle prizes through his company, Joe Bucher Outdoors. "I can say without hesitation, any time we needed something for the program, Joe was there to help, coach, give donations or utilize his connections to the business world," said a youth football representative. Bucher's son, Joe Jr., and grandson, Brett, have gone through the Northland Pines football program. For his outstanding support of Northland Pines athletics, Bucher was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Citation category.

Woody Ahlborn graduated from Northland Pines High School in 1983, earning 10 letters in football, basketball and track. He played on the 1982 Hall of Fame football team after earning all-conference honors at defensive end. His senior year, Ahlborn earned all-conference honors at offensive and defensive positions, and was named the Eagles' most valuable lineman. Ahlborn was a co-captain, All-District player, a Channel-7 All-Star and received All-State recognition. Ahlborn also started three years on the basketball team, earning all-conference honors his junior and senior years, as well as most valuable player and captain awards. He lettered four years in track, running mostly long-distance races. After high school, Ahlborn attended UW-River Falls and played four years. He was part of a team that won Wisconsin State University Conference championships in 1984-86, and received recognition honors as a tight end his senior year. Following college, Ahlborn returned to the North Woods and was an assistant football coach at Northland Pines High School, as well as a youth football, hockey and basketball coach. Today, he continues to support a variety of community organizations. He resides in the North Woods with his wife, Molly, and two daughters, Abby and Maddy. He owns and operates Ahlborn Equipment Inc. in Sayner with his brother Tracey.

Jonathan P. Maines, a 1983 graduate of Northland Pines High School, lettered in football, basketball and track his freshman, junior and senior years. He was a first team all-conference quarterback his junior and senior years, and was team captain, most valuable player, honorable mention Channel 7 All-Star and had four school passing records his senior year. Maines was known for his fake handoffs. He led the Eagles to a 10-0 record and Lumberjack Conference championship his junior year along with a playoff win against Little Chute. After he broke his collarbone early in the first quarter, Northland Pines then lost to Baldwin in the Sectional. In college, Maines played football at UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire, where he lettered three seasons as a defensive back. Maines also played basketball at Northland Pines and received all conference honorable mention his senior year. In track, he set the school record in the 800-meter run his freshman and junior years. He competed in Sectionals in the discus and was selected as the Coaches Most Outstanding Male Athlete his senior year. Maines married Kathy Johnson, Northland Pines Class of 1984, and they have two children. They reside in Naples, FL, where he was a police officer for 21 years.

Kent William Gray played football at Northland Pines High School his freshman through junior years before transferring to Ashwaubenon High School. At Northland Pines, he was the starting varsity fullback his sophomore year and was moved to defensive nose guard and tight end as a junior. He received honorable mention in the Lumberjack Conference in 1980 and was first team all-conference in 1981 as a junior, when the Eagles won the conference championship with a 6-0 record and finished the regular season 10-0, making the WIAA playoffs for the first time. Gray set a team record for most sacks in a season at 24, leading a defense that allowed just 67 points on the season. Gray also garnered Channel 7 All-Star honors as a junior, receiving excellent mention on defense. Following his senior year on the Ashwaubenon football team, Gray was named All-Metro (Green Bay area) Defensive Player of the Year and was selected for the Wisconsin All-Star Shrine Bowl. During his senior year, Gray also went out for wrestling for the first time and advanced to the State Wrestling Tournament. Gray went on to play football at UW-River Falls and was a four-year starter at defensive nose tackle. He was a Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC) first team all-conference nose guard in 1984 and 1986, and the Falcons won WSUC titles in 1984-86. In 1986, Gray was the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Gray went on to play semi-pro football with the Brooklyn Kings (New York) in 1990, and was a starting linebacker on a team that won the American Football Association 1990 national championship.

Veryl Krosschell, a 1970 graduate of Eagle River Union High School, was a three-sport athlete in high school. While he excelled in basketball, Krosschell also played football and baseball for the Eagles. On the basketball court, the 6-foot-five Krosschell led the Eagles in scoring his senior year with 525 points in 16 Northern Lakes Conference games - averaging 32 points a game - as the Eagles finished in second place behind a talented Crandon team. He also hauled in 399 reboundson the season, averaging nearly 25 boards a game. In three WIAA tournament games his senior year, Krosschell scored 43, 47 and 40 points. The 47 points is still a school record. As a senior, Krosschell was named first-team all donference, first-team Channel 7 All-Star for small school and fourth team All-State. During his junior year, Krosschell averaged 19.5 points per game and was named second-team all conference. He also was named second-team all conference in basketball as a sophomore. In one game his sophomore season the Eagles rolled up a school-record 120 points. In baseball, Krosschell led the Eagles to a 5-0 record in the Northern Lakes Conference as a senior, pitching all five games for the champion Eagles. In addition, he was an honorable mention all-conference receiver on the football team that finished with an undefeated 7-0 record and a conference title his senior year.

Jerry Adamovich, along with Larry Stecker, were instrumental in getting baseball reintroduced as a high school sport at Northland Pines High school in 1988. Adamovich went on to coach the Eagles baseball team from 1988 through 1998. During that period, the Eagles won Lumberjack Conference championships in 1993, 1994 and 1997. Northland Pines also won WIAA Regional playoffs in 1994 and 1995, and was the runner up in Sectional finals in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, the Eagles won the Merrill Legion Tournament, which Coach Adamovich felt was a great accomplishment for the Eagles because the tournament included older American Legion Baseball players from larger communities across the state. Adamovich was a three-time Coach of the Year in the Lumberjack Conference, receiving the honor in 1993, 1994 and 1997. Adamovich's personal contributions to the community include coaching youth baseball for 13 years, high school baseball for 11 years, youth hockey for four years, volunteer at Klondike Days for five years and for the past six years a mentor for the United Special Sportsman Alliance in which he took a Wounded Warrior or youth with disabilities turkey hunting each spring. Adamovich and his wife, Katie, reside in Eagle River. Their four children, Tim, Eric, Adam and Tara were athletes at Northland Pines.

The Zyhowski family has established itself as a long-time supporter of hockey at the former Eagle River Union High School and current Northland Pines High School. Eight members of the Zyhowski family were managers for Eagle River Union High School and Northland Pines High School hockey teams dating back to 1972. For that dedication and their love of hockey, the eight Zyhowski managers were inducted into the Eagle River/Northland Pines Athletic Hall of Fame as a group in the citation category. One of the Zyhowskis commented, "We would like to thank all those who have promoted and supported hockey in Eagle River and have helped generations of students and adults enjoy this incredible sport played in a remarkable part of the great state of Wisconsin. Drop the puck! It's a great day for hockey!"

Tom Druschke graduated from Glidden High School in 1971 where he lettered four years in basketball, baseball and cross-country. He earned his bachelor's degree from UW-River Falls in 1975 and his master's degree from Marian College in 1991. He began his basketball coaching career in 1973 at St. Bridget Catholic School in River Falls, coaching fifth-eighth-grade boys. In 1975, he coached the junior varsity boys at Lincoln High School in Alma Center. Druschke became head girls basketball coach at Northland Pines High School in 1976 and coached through the 1988 season. He returned on an interim basis for the 1990-91 season. During his coaching career, his teams compiled a 199-77 record which included five conference championships, three Regional and two Sectional titles, and two second-place finishes at the State Tournament in 1980 and '81. Five times he was selected Coach of the Year in the Lumberjack Conference. Many of his players attained all-conference honors and three players were selected as conference Player of the Year. One player was selected to the All-State second team and two others were chosen All-State special mention. In 2009, Druschke retired from teaching after 34 years. Although he retired from coaching in 1991, he continues to be active in basketball as a WIAA official. He also continues to be an avid Eagles fan and can be seen at many contests. Tom would like to thank all of the many athletes who were responsible for the success of the program during his coaching career: "Without their hard work and dedication, it would not have been possible."

Barry Mess grew up in St. Germain and attended Northland Pines High School from 1976-79, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. His true passion has always been football, in which he garnered all-conference honors at defensive back his junior and senior years. In addition, he received the MVP award and honorable mention as a Channel 7 All-Star as a senior. Mess lettered three years in basketball and received the Defensive Player of the Year award three consecutive years. As a junior, he competed in baseball and earned the MVP award. Mess graduated from Northland Pines in 1979, ranked third in his class and received the Academic Athlete Award. He went on to attend UW-Whitewater, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in biology and chemistry. In 1983, Mess was hired at Badger High school in Lake Geneva, where he continues to teach and coach. During his 35 years at Badger, Mess has coached baseball, track, and has been the varsity football coach for the past 32 years. Over that span, he has been part of 169 wins, nine conference championships and 17 playoff appearances. In 2013, he was named District 17 and South Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year. After the 2015 season, Mess received his 30-year coaching plaque from Wisconsin Badgers head coach Pail Chryst. For 35 years, athletes have repeatedly heard four simple words of encouragement that embody the philosophy of Coach Mess - "Play hard, have fun."

A 1982 graduate of Northland Pines High School, Dennis DeLoye played instrumental roles on the Eagles football and track teams, with starting varsity roles beginning his sophomore year. As a sophomore, DeLoye earned a starting defensive end position and as a senior helped lead the 1981 team to a 10-0 regular season record and entrance into the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament, advancing to within one win of the championship game. DeLoye earned MIP as a sophomore and was named team captain his junior and senior years. He also held team records with most touchdowns and interceptions in a single game. He was honored with all-conference recognition at multiple positions with first-team honors his senior year at defensive back. DeLoye's track career was equally successful with conference, Regional and Sectional championships and records, beginning his sophomore year, in the 110-meter high hurdles, 300-meter low hurdles and 800- and 1600-meter relays. He advanced to the State Track Meet his junior and senior years in five events with his highest place of fourth in the 300-meter hurdles. The track team named DeLoye MIP his sophomore year and MVP and captain both his junior and senior years. He went on to a successful football and track career at Carroll University in Waukesha where he achieved starting defensive back position on the football team and all-conference honors in the 400-meter hurdles and was named team captain track.

John Dunow of Land O' Lakes, graduated from Eagle River High School in 1961. Dunow was a three-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball. In football, he was an all-conference lineman his junior and senior years. The Eagles football team was conference co-champions his sophomore year, conference champions his junior year and lost one game during his senior season. In basketball, Dunow was named the team's most valuable player his senior year. In baseball his junior year, the 1959 Eagles advanced for the first time to the Regional and won, reaching the Sectional. Dunow also was senior class president and the recipient of the Senior Athlete Merit Award. Dunow went on to play college football and semi-pro football for the Manitowoc Chiefs. In 1964, Dunow enlisted in the Army. After his honorable discharge, Dunow signed a football contract to play with an affiliate of the San Diego Chargers in Joliet, Il. Dunow married his wife, Jean, in 1967 and returned to college in 1968 in Colorado. He graduated in 1971 and began a 36-year career in law enforcement with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in Colorado. He was involved for more than 20 years with the Colorado Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. Dunow and his family live in Colorado.

Bob Ritzer graduated from Northland Pines High School in 1979. He played hockey, football and participated in track. He was captain of the Northland Pines High School hockey team for two years and was first team all-conference. After high school, he went on to play for the Green Bay Bobcats Junior A team in the U.S. Hockey League (USHL), was captain of that team and played in the USHL all-star game in 1981-82. While attending UW-Superior, he played college hockey and made Wisconsin State University Conference all-conference in 1983-85. In 1985 while at UW-Superior, he was male athlete of the year, NCAA All-Conference and District 14 NAIA All-American. After college, he coached at St. Mary's Springs High School and Superior Senior High School, and was assistant hockey coach at College of St. Scholastica. Ritzer worked hockey schools in Eagle River, University of Anchorage-Alaska and UW-River Falls. He was coaching coordinator for Wisconsin Selects AAA Hockey, coordinator of the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association Bantam Elite Camps and was assistant coach for Team Wisconsin. He also was a USA Hockey coaching director assistant. Since 1996 he has taught in the health and human performances department at UW-River Falls, along with being the assistant hockey coach to a successful hockey program.

Bill Sparks is a 1971 graduate of Eagle River High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and hockey. In football, he was a three year letterwinner and was a starting halfback and defensive back on the 1969 conference championship team. He was named captain of the 1970 team. Bill also lettered three years in baseball and played an integral part in his team winning the Northern Lakes Conference co-championship in 1969 and the conference championship in 1970. Bill was the starting goalie for the first Eagle River High School hockey team in 1969-70. As a junior, he was named team captain. As a senior, he was named team captain, was the team MVP and received second-team all-conference honors. Bill went on to play hockey at St. Mary's College in Minnesota, where he was named the team MVP his junior year. He was elected team co-captain his senior year and received all-conference recognition. Bill and his wife, Ann, married in 1974. They were foster parents for more than 25 years while also raising their own six children who were active in sports and often coached by Bill. He coached baseball for 25 years from T-ball through high school. In addition, he coached youth hocket for over 30 years, taking his teams to State and Regional championships at the Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget levels. He led his youth teams to four USA Hockey National Tournaments. Bill and his family reside in Colorado.

Gary Ridderbusch, a 1983 graduate of the UW-Madison, moved to Eagle River in the spring of 1985 as a sports editor for the Vilas County News-Review and has covered Northland Pines High School boys and girls sports for the past 30 years, both as a photographer and reporter. Gary covered two of the three Eagles' State Boys Hockey Championships in the 1980s, witnessed the growth of soccer at Northland Pines in the 1990s and proudly observed the construction of the new high school fieldhouse and sports complex east of the high school in the 200s. Gary attended hundreds of games over the past three decades, capturing prep action on the field, court, hockey rink and track. During a seven-year stint, Gary and his wife, Sue, had the honor of being sports parents as their son, Tylor, and daughter, Carly, were both three-sport athletes for the Eagles. During his career at the newspaper, Gary won several state awards for his sports photographs, stories and sports pages. A three-sport athlete from Abbotsford High School, Gary also coached youth baseball and basketball in Eagle River for many years. In December 2010, Gary was named editor of the Vilas County News-Review but continues to proudly promote Northland Pines Eagles sports.

Dennis Snedden is a 1985 graduate of Northland Pines High School, where he lettered in hockey and football. Dennis excelled in hockey from a very young age, contributing to State championships at the Squirt through Bantam levels. While at Northland Pines, he was a member of the 1984 State Championship team. After high school, he spent two years playing Junior A hockey for the Madison Capitols where he was an All-Star both seasons. Snedden's efforts with the Capitols earned him a scholarship at the University of Wisconsin. While at Wisconsin, he was a significant contributor to the 1990 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey National Championship team and earned his bachelor of arts degree. He played three years with the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League. Snedden went on to work in the medical sales industry, initially residing in Seattle and then in Denver for the past 10 years. With the support for more than 20 years of his wife, Traci, Snedden gives back to youth sports through his dedication to coaching to and board membership surrounding the sports of their three children: Austin, Ian and Alaina. As a coach of their high school hockey teams, Snedden mentored them to two consecutive Colorado State High School Championships. Dennis and his family currently reside in Golden, CO., where he is president/managing partner of a successful national medical outsourced sales company.

Rollie Christensen graduated from Rhinelander Union High School and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from UW-Stevens Point. He started his teaching and coaching career in 1970 at Darlington, where he was an assistant coach and junior varsity golf coach. Christensen went on to coach golf for 33 years, including 27 years as head coach at Northland Pines High School. He coached basketball for 41 years, including 10 years as head coach at Northland Pines and Phelps. Christensen's golf teams had an overall career record of 1527-673-16, winning seven conference championships, four Regional Titles and two Sectional championships in 1986 and 1990. His 1986 team won the Fall State Golf Championship and finished with an undefeated season. Seven individual golfers from his teams advanced to the State Tournament between 1989 and 1995, with four individuals finishing in the top six. Seven times Christensen received Lumberjack Conference Coach of the Year honors. He also started and maintained a middle school golf program for both boys and girls, and helped organizes traveling summer junior golf program. Christensen coached seven individual players who later pursued golf-related careers. He was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin Hall of Fame in 2013. Christensen was inducted into the Eagle River/Northland Pines High School Athletic Hall of Fame in the coach's category.

Jerry 'Bucky' Burkett is a lifelong resident of Eagle River. He played goalie for Eagle River Union High School from 1969-1972, and four years with the Eagle River Falcons men's hockey team. Burkett's real passion came to light when hockey radio sportscaster Chris Oatman asked him in 1994 to assist and "fill in the blanks" on the air for a Northland Pines High School hockey game. A bond was formed and to this day Chris and Jerry are the voice of Pines Hockey, doing regular season games for the boys and girls, plus playoff games and trips to State. For Jerry, this is a volunteer position. "What a great way to see a hockey game," said Burkett. "There is a bond, a true friendship with Chris, and there is nothing more exciting, relaxing and fulfilling than calling a Pines hockey game. The phone starts ringing the day after Labor Day wondering if we are going to do this for another year. This is such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. And if you live in Eagle River, hockey is king. This is one way for me to give back." Burkett was named the Eagle River Man of the Year in 2013. Due to his support of Northland Pines hockey and the community, Burkett was inducted in the citation category.

Ray Dillahunt graduated from Springfield High School in Ohio in 1958 where he lettered in football and track and was a member of two State Championship track teams. He attended and graduated from Wittenberg University with a bachelor's degree. While at Wittenberg, he was a member of two football conference championship teams and ran track. He then attended Bowling Green State University as a graduate assistant. He taught in the physical education department and coached on the football staff while receiving his master's degree. Ray began his high school coaching and teaching career in Ohio in 1963. He taught physical education and served as an assistant and head coach in both football and track. In 1971, he moved to Eagle River, where he taught special education. In 1977 he began teaching elementary physical education and became assistant football coach. His responsibilities were defensive coordinator and offensive-line coach. In 1982, he began as an assistant track coach in charge of sprints, hurdles, middle distances, relays, long and triple jumps. Ray would like to thank his wife, Connie, and children, Tom, Mike and Chelle, for their support and many sacrifices. Lastly he would like to thank the many athletes who were responsible for any success they had as a coaching staff. Ray retired in 2001 after 39 years of teaching and coaching.

Shawn Gremban Sullivan is a 1986 graduate of Northland Pines High School, where she was a three-sport athlete earning seven varsity letters. In track and field, she lettered all four years. As a freshman, she was co-MVP earning 96 points and as a sophomore she was MVP with 144 points. Shawn was co-MVP her junior year earning 176 points and was team captain her senior year with 177 points. She holds the school record in 400-meter dash in 59.2 seconds in 1986, the 800-meter run in 1:46 in 1986 and was a member of the 1600-meter relay with a time of 4:01.4 in 1985. She was a member of the 1985 State Champion relay team for the 800- and 1600-meter races. As a team, the Eagles won the Lumberjack Conference meet in 1985 and won the WIAA Sectional in 1986. Shawn attended UW-La Crosse and ran track and field from 1987-90. She was a member of the 1989 1600-meter relay team that won indoor and outdoor National Championships. In 1990, she qualified for indoor and outdoor Nationals in the 1600- and 400-meter relays. She ran her personal best 400 meters with a time of 58.64 during the WWIAC Outdoor Championship, placing fourth. She continues to competed in triathlons, 5Ks, 10Ks, half and full marathons. Shawn and her husband, Pat, have three boys, Jake, Justin and Joey.

Like many boys and girls growing up in Eagle River, Joe Sparks had the good fortune that the ERRA and its many dedicated volunteers provided baseball and hockey programs for youths. Joe's freshman year was the inaugural year for high school hockey in Eagle River. Lettering all four years, he was chosen All-Conference his junior and senior years, as well as All-State his senior year in 1973. Sparks also pitched his high school team to a conference baseball championship his senior year in 1973 and he played varsity football three years, earning All-Conference honors. He accepted a four-year scholarship to Michigan Technological University, where he lettered four years in hockey. He helped Michigan Tech win two WCHA titles and Tech was NCAA Champions in 1975, when Joe was chosen for the 1975 World Junior Tournament. He graduated from Michigan Tech in 1978 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and marketing. He has not forgotten the volunteer spirit that allowed him opportunities to follow his dreams. Joe has been a youth hockey volunteer coach in Wisconsin, Texas and Arizona for 30 years. He still enjoys the great game of hockey as he was one of the Over 50 National Champions in 2009. Joe retired with his wife, Marlene, to Scottsdale, AZ. They have two children, Joe and Megan.

Allan Geiger and his wife moved to Eagle River in 1990 with their 14-year-old son. His only knowledge of Eagle River was his son attending the ERRA summer hockey camps. Geiger became owner of a local sporting goods store and through his association became involved in the community, serving on the chamber of commerce, library and hospital boards. Through the store, Geiger met David Cox, his son's Northland Pines High School (NPHS) hockey coach and their relationship grew. At the same time, Geiger met Sam Mule through hockey and that friendship also grew. In 2000, Geiger, Cox, and Tom Obrodovich started the NPHS alumni tournament. In the first two years, the even raised $12,000, which was donated to the ERRA to build a new NPHS locker room. Herman Smith's son, a NPHS goalie alumnus gave the group $15,000 worth of building materials and Glenn Schiffmann, another alumnus, donated $25,000 worth of materials  and labor. The group also raised $84,000 cash by selling individual lockers with donor's names for $2,800 each. Soon they had built a $300,000 addition of which only $20,000 was borrowed. It was paid off in the next four alumni tournaments. Meanwhile, Coach Albert Moustakis asked Geiger and Dennis Carter to start a junior hockey program for NPHS. Geiger coached the next 11 years, three with Moustakis, six with Jacques du Vair and two with Leo Horant. Geiger, who was inducted in the citation category, said: "Eleven great years with great kids and pretty good hockey players. Eagle River - a little town with the greatest kids in the world."

Tom Martens' athletic career began with softball games at the Red Brick Schoolhouse in St. Germain. The closest thing there was to a gym was an old wooden backboard with a hoop on a post that was in a snowbank all winter. Martens barely touched a basketball before high school. Tom had no intention of playing basketball in high school, but Coach Ernie Johnson, who was the driver's education instructor, had a machine for checking peripheral vision. The coach asked Tom how his peripheral vision was and if he was going out for basketball. When the 6-foot4 Martens said "No," coach said :Oh yes, you are." Tom did! The 1965-66 Eagle River basketball season started out in high gear. The Eagles defeated the Elcho Hornets 112-71 and Tom had 44 points. Tom became a three-time letterwinner in basketball. The Eagles went on  to finish the season with an 18-1 record and ranked third in the state in small schools. Tom was named to the Northern Lakes All-Conference teams in both 1964-65 and 1965-66, and was chosen for the Channel 7 All Star team for small schools in 1965-66. Martens finished the 1964-65 season with a 17.3 ppg average and the 1965-66 season with a 24.9 ppg average. Tom was chosen MVP in basketball for both the 1964-65 and 1965-66 season and he was chosen MVP in the 1965-66 season. Additionally, he was a four-year letter winner in the high school band, playing the trombone. Martens graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1966.

Chris Hartwig graduated from Northland Pines High School (NPHS) in 1987, earning three letters in football and hockey along with four letters in track. Chris was an All-Conference and All-State athlete who competed in State championships in all three sports. In track, he placed third in State shot put after holding the school records in both the shot put and discus. These records still stand as of 2012. His ambition in sports was goaltending. Chris has 1.68 goals against average and helped his team win the 1986 State Hockey Championship by only allowing three goals for the tournament. The team named him MVP in 1986 and '87. In football, he was a co-captain and helped the team become the Lumberjack Conference champions and reach the State championship game at Camp Randall against Milton, the defending State champions. He was a Channel 7 All-Star and Shrine Game participant. In 1987, he was named Northland Pines co-athlete of the year. Chris signed a full athletic scholarship to play football at North Dakota State University in Fargo. He was named second team All-Conference and started 39 consecutive games as an inside linebacker. He helped the team win five North Central Conference Championships. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in speech communications and business administration. Chris has traveled the country for the past 17 years, helping storm victims as a catastrophic insurance adjuster. Each year he donates his time for youth hockey at the local pond hockey tournament.

Kelly (O'Brien) Lacko is a 1984 graduate of Northland Pines High School. She was a three-sport athlete, earning eight varsity letters. In golf, she earned varsity letters playing on the boys golf team her junior and senior years. She participated in girls Sectionals those years, finishing sixth out of more than 50 girls her junior year, and was a medalist as a senior but missed qualifying for State by one stroke. In basketball, Kelly was a three-year starter at point guard, and was voted as the team captain and MVP in both her junior and senior years. She earned second team All-Conference honors her sophomore year, and was named first team All-Conference her junior and senior years. During her senior year, she was the leading scorer in the Lumberjack Conference, averaging 17.1 points per game. Kelly was named the Lumberjack Conference Player of the Year as a senior and received special mention All-State honors. In track, she was named team MVP two of her three years. She won Lumberjack Conference titles as an individual in the long jump and as a member of the 4x400 relay team, and qualified for Sectionals all three years. In her senior year, Kelly received the U.S. Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete Award andthe Coaches Outstanding Female Athlete award. Kelly and her husband Scott, live in Eagle River with their two sons, Sam and Josh, who are actively involved in Northland Pines sports. She has been a volunteer coach for the Headwaters Youth Soccer Association and for the Northland Pines Basketball Association.

When Dave Koller walked onto the track at Northland Pines High School in the spring of 1977 as a volunteer coach, he knew the statistics would not be important. The wins and losses or how the athletes played the game would, in the long run, be of no consequence. What mattered to him was that the students participated. A few years later, Koller went on to start the first Northland Pines cross-country team, first as a club sport and later as a WIAA-sanctioned sport. Koller's greatest reward has been to inspire and coach athletes beyond the limits they set for themselves. He knew that reaching new heights would bring confidence, self-esteem and leadership - the tools any young adult needs to mature. As a result, many of the thousands of athletes he has coached in track and field and cross-country still run today. Many of his former athletes also have brought their children to learn from "Coach Dave." He has been a coach, a mentor and a friend to athletes at Northland Pines High School for more than 30 years, placing Koller in the Hall of Fame in the coaching category.

Gene Staffen graduated from Eagle River High School (ERHS) in 1947, earning three letters in football. He was voted Northern Lakes all-conference halfback on an undefeated Eagles team. The three-sport athlete also earned two letters in basketball and three letters in baseball. In 1945, the late Ben Werner and he had a meeting with principal E.W. Kracht to discuss the possibility of starting baseball at ERHS. The team was approved with Ernie Johnson as the first coach. Straffen graduated with a bachelor's degree in science in 1951 and a master's degree in physical education in 1960, both from UW-La Crosse. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 through 1953 during the Korean War. In 1953, Staffen was hired to teach general science at Neillsville High School, where he also was the assistant football coach and head baseball coach. He moved to Edgerton High School in 1963, where he taught boys physical education and was the athletic director. He also was head football coach and head golf coach at Edgerton, where he was Steve Striker's golf coach. He retired in 1989 from Edgerton High School. Staffen was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, as well as the Edgerton Area Sports Hall of Fame. His family includes his wife, Sally; his daughter, Jane; his sons, Ted and Mike; and six grandchildren. At present, he and his wife reside on Lac Vieux Desert near Land O' Lakes.

Thomas Patrick Gaffney was born and raised in Eagle River, attended St. Peter's Catholic School and graduated from Eagle River Union Free High School in 1956. In high school, he played three sports - football, baseball and basketball. He lettered all four years in football, playing in every game as a freshman. His sophomore year, he was on a championship team. He and Colyn Carter were high scorers for the team and conference. During his junior and senior years, Gaffney played on co-championship teams. In his senior year, he scored five touchdowns in one game, was named MVP and all conference. Gaffney lettered three times in baseball and also played basketball his junior year and senior years. To compliment his athletic abilities, Gaffney made honor roll all four years of high school. After high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Notre Dame. In 1961, he joined his father's business at Gaffney's Funeral Home in Eagle River. He eventually purchased the business and operated it until 1995, when he sold it and entered into a well-deserved retirement. Tom married Barb Morken in 1970 and they had four children. Barb passed away in 1996. Tom has eight grandchildren. He also served on the board of directors of M&I Bank for many years, was a member of the Lions Club and helped coach Little League baseball.

A 1979 graduate of Northland pines High School, Mike Steiner was fortunate enough to participate in football, track, hockey and golf during high school. Steiner was a four-year letterwinner on the hockey team, earning second team all-conference honors his junior and senior seasons. During his four seasons on the hockey team, the team won the conference and Sectional championships all four years and advanced to the State championship in Madison. Steiner also was a four-year letterwinner on the golf team. He was named conference medalist three out of four years. He was the team captain and most valuable player for three seasons from 1977-79. After high school, Steiner went on to play golf at UW-La Crosse. He turned professional in 1984 and played for several years on golf winter tours in Florida and Arizona. His last professional event was the ATTP Pebble Beach National Pro Am in 1995. Steiner is a 25-year member of the PGA of America. He served 5 years on the Colorado PGA board of directors. "I would like to thank all of the teachers, coaches and teammates I was fortunate enough to learn from and compete with during my high school career. We played for each other and our community. It is a part of my life I will never forget." Steiner is currently the director of operations at Eagle Springs Golf Club near Vail, CO. He and Judith, his wife of 21 years, also enjoy spending time at their home in Land O' Lakes.

Charles 'Chuck' Alward graduated from Eagle River High School in 1963 after earning letters in football, hockey an baseball. In football, he earned honorable mention all-conference as a junior center and earned all-conference honors at senior half-back. In hockey; he played on the State championship hockey team as a freshman. After hockey disbanded following his sophomore year, he played on State Champion juvenile and senior men's teams. He played all four years on the baseball team. As a senior, he captained both the football and baseball teams, served as president of the ski club and was awarded the Athlete Scholastic Award. Chuck attended the University of Wisconsin, where he played hockey for two years. He graduated with honors from the university and then went on to graduate from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in 1971. Following his pediatric residency and neonatal fellowship, he spent 11 years as a neonatologist in St. Paul, MN. He then moved back into pediatrics with a large multispecialty group in Minnesota, where the past nine years he served as chairman of pediatrics. As his three children participated in youth and high school sports, he participated as team physician and assistant coach. For the past 40 years, he has enjoyed the companionship and support of his wife, Gay, and they are blessed with four grandchildren.

Robert 'Bob' Rickard came to Northland Pines High School (NPHS) in 1976. He was no stranger to the area, having played hockey as a goaltender for the Eagle River Northemaire senior hockey team. As athletic director for NPHS, he stayed involved in all sports while refereeing football and hockey. After becoming principal at NPHS, he stayed involved in all sports and cocurricular activities. Bob served as volunteer goalie coach with multiple NPHS teams, was a youth hockey coach and served on the board of directors at the Eagle River Recreation Association's summer hockey school. Prior to coming to Eagle River, Bon served two years in the U.S. Army, graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree and UW-Superior with a master's degree in educational administration. He also coached high school hockey in Stevens Point. Bob has been active in the community, serving as president of the Eagle River Lions Club and was on the Church Council at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Bon Lives in Eagle River with his wife, Sharon. Together they raised four children, following them in sports through the years. He now enjoys hearing about his eight grandchildren's accomplishments in sports and academics. For his long-time commitment to NPHS athletics Bob was inducted in the Hall of Fame's "Citation" category.

Don Hall graduated from Eagle River High School in 1950, where he earned nine varsity letters as a starter in basketball, baseball and football. He was a three-year all-conference basketball player, team high scorer and senior captain. He started for three years in football, playing end for two years and moving to halfback and linebacker his senior year - earning second-team all-conference and honorable mention recognition. Don started on the baseball team for all four years, however, no games were played the fourth year due to poor weather. On the first hockey team after the war his freshman year, he played on the second line for the short three-game season. In 1954, Don graduated from Michigan Tech with a bachelor's degree in mining engineering. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps OCC program and served three years, primarily as a platoon leader in the First marine Division. In 1957, he began a 20-year career in the explosives industry. He then worked for a later purchased SHS of Allentown, a technical recruiting firm where he spent 20 years, retiring in 1998. Don married Patricia Trinka of Eagle River in 1953, and they had three daughters, Wendy; Kim and Ardyth. Patricia passed away in 1997. He has been married to the former Suellen Durkin since 1998. Sue and Don keep busy in retirement with some golf and travel to keep up with 17 grandchildren.

Eddie (Croker) Carter graduated from Eagle River Union High School in 1971, earning letters in football and hockey. He helped his football team win a Northern Lakes Conference championship in 1969. In 1970, he was named MVP, earned All-Conference at defensive end and honorable mention at fullback. He played all levels of youth hockey. In 1970, high school hockey came back to Eagle River and the team played an independent schedule. The following year, the team joined the Lake Superior Hockey Conference, finishing in second place and third at the State High School Hockey Tournament in Madison. Eddie was assistant captain both years, and first-team All-Conference defenseman and first-team All-Tournament team in Madison his senior year. Eddie continued to play hockey with the Eagle River Falcons. He was an assistant captain, was named the team's MVP, was a player/coach, achieved All-League honors and participated on two Wisconsin Senior State Hockey Championship teams. He served on the ERRA board and was a youth hockey coach for over 10 years. Today, he continues to volunteer at the World Championship Snowmobile Derby and pond hockey tournament. Eddie works for Wisconsin Public Services as a senior gas utility mechanic, is married to Beth and has two wonderful children, Andy and Jessica.

A 1963 graduate of Eagle River High School, Roger DeWitt lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He was awarded All-Conference in football and honorable mention in basketball as a senior. In his senior year of 1963, he was awarded team MVP awards in three sports - football, basketball and baseball. After graduation, Roger served four years in the U.S. Air Force and continued to play football, basketball and baseball during that time. He refereed Wisconsin high school football for five years and has coached many years of youth sports. Roger is very proud of having a son play baseball at the University of Minnesota on an athletic scholarship, and having another son teach and coach women's softball at Louisiana State University in Eunice. His daughter also was athletic and was a member of the pompom squad at UW-La Crosse for four years. He continues to play fastpitch softball and at one time played on the same team with his two sons. He is thankful to his wife, Jan, and a wonderful family, and now grandchildren, who have supported him. He also is thankful to his high school coaches for giving him these opportunities.

Tracy Fletcher (Munsil) transferred to Northland Pines High School following her freshman year at Marshfield High School. At Northland Pines, Tracy was a three-time unanimous first-team all-conference performer, team MVP in basketball and capped her career by being selected Honorable Mention All-State. During her three-year playing career, Northland Pines never had a losing record and went 20-3 her senior year, losing to an undefeated teaming the Sectional championship. she averaged at least 14 points per game each of her three varsity seasons. As a senior, Tracy averaged 15.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Individual highlights included a 25-point, 23-rebound performance against Tomahawk. She was a team captain in basketball and volleyball, and also all-conference in volleyball. Tracy was senior class president and a member of the National Honor Society. Following high school, Tracy graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University, where she was named Outstanding Graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She earned a master's degree from ASU in 1989, and after taking two decades to raise a family and home-educate her children, will earn her Ph.D. in political science at ASU and is an adjunct professor at Southwestern College. She is married to attorney Len Munsil. They live with their eight children - all athletes - in Scottsdale, AZ.

Chris Oatman moved to Eagle River in the fall of 1972 to work at WERL AM-FM Radio. He began doing color commentary and reading commercials during Eagle River High School football games that fall. He got pressed into duty doing play-by-play for an Eagle River High School hockey game a couple of months later and became the full-time play-by-play announcer a short time later when the former announcer asked for a raise from $10 a game to $15. It began a love affair with Eagle River-Northland Pines High School sports that continues today. Even though Chris left the radio station in the fall of 1977 to work at Channel 7 in Wausau, his ties to Northland Pines sports remained strong. He was in Madison to cover all three boys state hockey championships in the 1980s. He and his family returned to Eagle River in 1987, and though he moved back and forth between WERL-WRJO Radio and Channel 12 in Rhinelander, Pines sports was still close to his heart. He returned to the radio station several years ago and became the news and sports director. He was among the first broadcasters in the area, and possibly the state, to put girls high school sports on the air. Chris says covering Northland Pines sports is a privilege and a joy.

Wendy Lansbach Boglioli was raised in Land O' Lakes prior to her worldwide accomplishments. He parents, Eber and Mary Ellen Lansbach, coached the budding swimming sensation from an early age. At Eagle River High School, her tenacity and dedication was apparent as she lettered in multiple activities, including band and cheerleading. In 1973, Wendy earned the first college athletic scholarship for women's swimming to Monmouth University in New Jersey. Prior to earning an associate's degree and an honorary degree, Wendy helped Monmouth win eight National college titles. In 1976, the world watched as she completed in the Olympic games in Montreal. After earning a Bronze medal in the 100-meter butterfly, Wendy and her teammates stunned the East Germans and the world by winning the American women's only Gold medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay while setting a new world record. Wendy coached the Yale University swim team before serving as a spokeswoman for numerous national and international organizations. She was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, FL., and resides outside Seattle.

A 1969 graduate of Eagle River High School, Joe Danielson lettered in hockey, football and baseball. After his high school career, he went on to UW-La Crosse, where he excelled in gymnastics, lettering in 1971-73. Individual accomplishments included being judged a State Champion on the parallel bars in 1971, and a two-time National Champion in 1972 and '73. He earned All-American status in 1971-73. Joe went on to become a physical education teacher in Green Bay for 3 years, coaching gymnastics, hockey, soccer, volleyball and track.

Graduating from Eagle River High School in 1960, Jim 'J.R.' Delich earned 13 letters in four sports. He was awarded All-Conference honors in football and basketball in '59 and '60, and baseball in '60. He was selected to the Channel 7 All-Star baseball team in 1960 after pitching Eagle River to its first -ever District title and Northern Lakes Conference championship in 1960. In 1958, he quarterbacked the Eagles' football team to a conference co-championship, followed by a conference championship in 1959. He was the leading scorer and MVP his senior year in basketball, with a 17.1 average. J.R. was a career PGA of America Golf Professional and winner of numerous tournaments, including Long Island PGA Championship, 1978 and '79, and Open Heart Open, '79-'82. Delich was Philadelphia PGA Senior Player of the Year in 1995, and medalist U.S. Senior Open qualifier in New Jersey. J.R. played the European PGA Senior Golf Tour from 1994 through 2001. He was Nebraska Open co-medalist in 1999 and winner of the 2001 Budweiser Open in York, PA. "My heartfelt thanks to my wife, Carol (my life partner, inspiration and best friend), to my coaches and teammates for making this honor possible."

A 1942 graduate of Eagle River High School, Joseph 'Bud' Trinka distinguished himself as an outstanding football player. He earned All-Conference honors for three years and was elected captain of the 1941 grid-iron squad. In his senior year, he was shifted from right guard to the fullback position and willingly made the change. He turned in a championship performance as captain and earned All-Conference honors as a fullback. Bud was never on a losing team all four years of high school. It was here he warned his title "Jolting Joe." From high school, he went to UW-Madison, where he was intending to major in engineering. In the spring of 1943, Bud enlisted in the U.S. Army. Early in September of 1944, he was sent overseas and landed in Normandy with Gen. Patton's Third Army. He was killed in action in the Metz area of France on Nov. 16, 1944, one week after his 20th birthday. "Many men live long and futile years empty of accomplishment, but it was Pfc. Trinka's privilege to live a full life in a short span and crown his going with the most glorious achievement of all - the gift of his life to his country." - Vilas County News-Review November 1944

John Wainwright graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1961 as a multiple letterwinner in football, baseball and track. He received his bachelor of science degree from UW-Platteville and his master's degree from UW-Superior. John's 36-year coaching career included stops at La Farge High School, Black Hawk High School and concluded following 26 years at Northland Pines High School. His football record includes 172 wins, four conference titles, three undefeated seasons and three playoff appearances, including a State runner-up trophy. His track record includes 441 wins, a run of 102 consecutive regular-season victories, nine conference championships, four Sectional and six Regional titles. His teams qualified to State 24 times, including three State relay team championships. During John's career, he was honored as conference Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002, joining his grandfather in the Hall. John shares this honor with Judith, his wife of 40 years, his children, Kristina, Curtis and Anthony, and the outstanding assistant coaches, administration and the many great athletes who are responsible for any successes he achieved.

Graduate of Eagle River High School, class of 1960, James Ritzer lettered three years in football, basketball and baseball. He was the captain of the baseball team his junior year and senior years, as well as the captain of the football team who won conference championships in 1958 and 1959, and the baseball team won conference title in 1960. He received all-conference honors two years in football and in baseball his senior year. Both his junior and senior years, he was honored to receive the Nelson's Ace Sportsmanship Award. Ritzer went on to play football at UW-Stevens Point. Upon returning to the Eagle River Area, God continued to bless him with a desire to participate, coach and support local teams. He participated in men's softball league, men's basketball league and old-timer's hockey league. Ritzer also enjoyed coaching Little League for 13 years and assisted in the development and organization of the Eagle River Graded School basketball program, where he coached for eight years. Serving on the board of Eagle River Recreation Association for 12 years, he was vice president for one term. For 24 years, Ritzer considered it a privilege to support and keep current on Northland Pines High School teams through volunteering on the line crew at football games, as a head recorder for track meets and as a goal judge or timekeeper for hockey for hockey games.

Marv Elliott has been deeply involved in many of Eagle River's athletic programs over the last 50 years. He played basketball, baseball and football all four years of high school, playing under coach and uncle Ernie Johnson. Elliott was all-conference in basketball during the 1940-50 season. He went on to play college basketball at UW-Stevens Point in 1951-52. After two years in the military, Elliott became part-time athletic director for the city of Eagle River. During the 1950s, he helped build a Little League park at the fairgrounds. He also built and maintained three ice rinks in the city, including the first city hockey rink by the old high school. In 1957, Elliott started the first Little League program in Eagle River and, two years later, organized the present-day Headwaters Little League, serving as its president for the first 10 years. During the late 1950s, Elliott became involved with the Eagle River Recreation Association, serving as secretary/treasurer. He officiated hockey tournaments around the Midwest for 23 years and was head referee at four high school State finals in Madison from 1975-79. Elliott was hired by the city of Eagle River Police Department in 1960, joined the Vilas County Sheriff's Department in 1963 and became the county's first detective in 1975. He retired in 1984. Elliott was elected to the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. That same year, he was named as the Eagle River Chamber's Man of the Year.

Ann Maureen Dunphy's association with high school sports dates back to the early 1970s, when she participated in most "girls" teams that were available at Eagle River Union Free High School. She was lucky enough to be on the first interscholastic girls basketball team, was president of the Girls Athletic Association and a member of the self-named Black Bananas girls varsity volleyball team. Her favorite sport was softball, but in the 1970s Eagle River didn't have a high school team. Her love of sports stems from growing up with a coaching father (Ray Dunphy) and her willingness to attend a variety of sports that her three older brothers participated in. In 1979, Dunphy returned to Eagle River from UW-Eau Claire with a BS degree in physical education and double minors in psychology and coaching, with an emphasis in athletic training. She coached and was a substitute teacher for a year and a half at Northland Pines and Three Lakes schools while obtaining her emergency medical technician basic license. For the next 26 years, she tended injured and sick hockey, soccer and football players and assisted an occasional cheerleader, softball and basketball player in the gym or on the field. "One of the most rewarding aspects of my EMS career has been my association with Northland Pines athletics," said Dunphy, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the "citation" category.

Orrin A. Mangseth was a graduate of Colerane High School in Minnesota and attended Ithaca Junior College. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and his master's degree from UW-Superior. In 1966, moved to Eagle River and worked as a business-education teacher at Eagle River High School. Mangseth was instrumental in getting the hockey program established as a school-sponsored varsity sport in 1969. He served his first tenure as a hockey coach from 1969-75. During this time, his teams made five State tournament appearances. He was voted North Central Hockey Conference Coach of the Year in 1975. The 1975 team also won the conference championship. Mangseth returned to coaching from 1981-84. During that time, his teams made two State tournament appearances, and the 1983-84 team became the first Northland pines High School team to win a WIAA State hockey championship. After his retirement from coaching, Mangseth remained an integral part of the hockey program. He served as official scorer for all home games and was the team statistician until his death in 1996. Continuing with his love of hockey, he served as the director of the Eagle River Summer Hockey School for 12-plus years. Mangseth also is a member of the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame, enshrined in 1997.

Tom Obrodovich started his athletic career in first grade as the mascot for coach Ernie Johnson's Eagle River High School football team. Just a few years later, he won his first golf match as an eight grader on coach Ken Check's high school golf team. Obrodovich went on to attend a Minnesota prep school before returning his senior year to Eagle River High School, where he lettered in football, hockey and golf. He led the 1964 Eagle River High School hockey and golf. He led the 1964 Eagle River High School hockey team to an undefeated season and the WIAA State championship. Obrodovich was named MVP in the State tournament after scoring three goals in a 4-3 championship game victory over Madison West. Undefeated as No. 1 man in singles and conference golf matches, he also led his team to the Division 1 State golf tournament. Obrodovich attended the University of Wisconsin on a hockey scholarship and led the Badgers in goals scored his sophomore and junior years. He returned to Eagle River after graduating from UW-School of Business. He helped Northland Pines High School win three State hockey championships as assistant coach to Orrin Mangseth in 1984 and as head coach in 1986 and 1989. Due to his natural athletic skills, his coaching success and strong community involvement, Obrodovich was inducted in all three Hall of Fame categories; player, coach and citation.

A 1952 Eagle River High School graduate, Dale O. Karenke played three sports for the Eagles, lettering in football and basketball three years, and baseball two years. Karenke played football from 1942-52. He was an All-Conference quarterback in 1951 and 1952, leading the Eagles to an undefeated season. He also was named team captain in 1952. He received honorable mention All State and WigWam Athletic Association Little All-American honors in 1952. A basketball player for the eagles from 1949-52, Dale was an All-Conference guard in 1951 and 1952. He was named captain in 1952 and MVP in both 1951 and 1952. A three-sport athlete, Dale played baseball during the 1951 and 1952 seasons, leading the Eagles to an undefeated conference season in 1952. A pitcher and shortstop, he was named All-Conference, MVP and captain in 1952. On his athletic success at ERHS, Dale said, "Without God and my fellow athletes and coaches, none of the above would have been possible. I thank you."

A 1937 graduate of Eagle River High School, Tom Shields excelled in football and basketball. During the 1936-37 basketball season, Tom was the alternate captain as the Eagles placed second in conference and third at the Sectional. He played on the North All-Star basketball team. In football, Tom was team captain in 1936 when the Eagles placed second in conference. In 1937, he played two football games with the Austin Bears (Chicago Athletic Club) and was recruited by the Purdue Alumni Association. He played at Purdue University from 1938-40, lettering in 1939. In 1940, he was injured and returned to the practice squad. In 1942, he graduated from Purdue with a BSCE degree. From 1942-45, Tom served as engineering officer in the U.S. Navy on two destroyers in the Pacific. He achieved the rank of full lieutenant. In August 1943, he married Lois Cook of the ERHS class of 1938. He was employed by the city of Eagle River from 1949-81 as city engineer and utilities manager of Light & Water Department. Shields coached youth softball and baseball; helped organize Cub Scouts in Eagle River, serving as awards director; served as treasurer of the Eagle River Grade School Board for 14 years prior to consolidation; and from 1949-81 served on the Eagle River Area Volunteer Fire Department.

A 1980 graduate of NPHS, Denise Bueschel Moen led her track team to four straight Lumberjack Conference dual meet championships and a four-year regular-season record of 90-2. Her 1600-meter relay team advanced to the State meet four years and she placed at State in the shot put her senior year. A four-year letter winner, Denise was named team MVP and captain in 1980, set school records in the shot put and discus and earned 745 career points. She earned 30 career individual conference, invitational, relay and WIAA State meet champion titles. In addition, Denise set 17 records throughout her career in both running and field events. In volleyball, Denise was a three-year letter winner and received All-Conference honors in 1978 and 1979. She also was named team MVP and captain in 1979. In 1980, she was named Northland Pines Female Athlete of the Year and received the Principal's Outstanding Captain's Award. After High School, Denise became assistant track coach with John Wainwright, as well as varsity volleyball coach. She chose a career in education and encourages today's youths to set high goals and achieve their dreams - just as she did throughout her career at NPHS!

Karen Siegmeier came to Eagle River in 1973 with her husband, Roger, and five children. Having been a physical education major in college, her interest in athletics was already part of her life. Karen began filming NPHS football in 1982. Over the next 14 years, she did the filming for football, boys and girls basketball, and track, both home and away. Highlights included the 1986 State football championship, where she filmed from the press box in Camp Randall, and several WIAA State track meets. When the Northland Pines Sports Booster Club was formed, she became actively involved in the club and soon became president. Under her tenure, thousands of dollars were raised to provide equipment for the school sports programs. From1989-92, Karen was the high school cheerleading coach and organized Homecoming events for many years. She also was the assistant girls track coach from 1996-98. As administrative assistant  to the athletic director, she was involved in all facets of athletics and supervised many athletic events. Karen was named honorary chairwoman for the Northwoods Relay For Life in 2003 to help raise money for the cancer-affected community. As president and board member of Angel On My Shoulder a cancer support foundation, she continues to be involved with youths from all parts of the state with Camp Angel.

  Ladd Theodore Tucek, an athlete of outstanding ability while still maintaining high academic achievements at Eagle River High School, lettered four years in basketball and baseball, and three years in football. He played on four Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) championship football teams from 1949-53 and two championship baseball teams in 1950 and 1953. In football, Ladd won the NLC scoring title with 14 touchdowns and 98 points in 1953, when he was an All-Conference running back and MVP. 1952, he also won the conference scoring title with 12 touchdowns in one game, tying a  state scoring record. as a sophomore, Ladd won the NLC football scoring title in 1951 with 14 touchdowns and 92 points. He received honorable mention for Wisconsin high school state football players in 1951-1953. Ladd was an outstanding three-sport athlete at ERHS.

A 1954 graduate of Eagle River High School, Colyn Carter was a three-year letter winner in football and basketball and high scorer in both sports his senior year. He was named Most Valuable Player in football his senior year after scoring 15 touchdowns. The football team climaxed an undefeated season in conference games and lost only its first exhibition game, the first game of the season to Milwaukee Country Day. Many compared this team with the best in Eagle River High School history. Carter went on to attend and play football at Carroll College in Waukesha in the fall of 1954 and was the only "pure" freshman to win a letter that year. His football career ended during his sophomore year when he separated his shoulder. Coach Ernie Johnson wrote in his senior high school annual, "Colyn: Since my start in 1935 here in ERHS, very few boys have performed exceptionally well in activities and classes. You are one of those few-and I hope you continue to carry on." He graduated from ERHS in the top 10% of his class academically.

An Eagle River High School and Northland pines High School teacher for 37 years, Ken Check started and coached the ERHS and NPHS golf team from 1959-84 (26 years). His golf teams won 10 Northern Lakes Conference championships and four Lumberjack Conference titles. He took five teams to State tournaments and coached two individuals in State tournament play (Murray Bradford and Craig Nixon). He had three former team members serve as PGA club professionals (Mike Steiner, Jerry Collins and Mark Hirn). He was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991. Besides teaching from 1947-84, Check started and ran the ERHS and NPHS ski club from 1957-84. He was a competitive golfer himself, winning the 1974 Eagle River Golf Club championship.

Dr. Tom Doyle arrived in Eagle River in August 1956. With his interest in sports and youths, he met Charlie Spiess. In the following years, the Eagle River Recreation Association was formed and Doyle was involved in the purchase of the Sports Arena and later the installation of artificial ice. This led to youth hockey and figure-skating programs, as well as high school hockey in Eagle River. From this high school program emerged hockey stars during his time, including Phil Petruzates, Tom Obrodovich, Chuck Alward and Tommie Chuckel, all becoming stars for the University of Wisconsin under the tutelage of Bob Johnson. He also instituted open gym nights for high school students to play basketball and volleyball. When head football coach John Wainwright arrived at ERHS, Doyle became a regular on the sidelines, tabulating defensive statistics for all home and away games. The volunteer work gave him a chance to be involved in the high school football program for 26 years and he still takes credit "for instituting the first forward pass at Northland Pines."

A 1981 graduate of Northland Pines High School, Leslie Ann (Fletcher) Elliott was a four-year letter winner in basketball, volleyball and track. In basketball, she was all-conference all four years (first team, 1979, '80 and '81; second team 1978). She was named to the all-state second team in 1982, all-state honorable mention in 1980 and to the Class B state all-tournament team in 1980 and '81. She set the high school tournament scoring record for most points in a game at 34. She also set school records for the most points in a season (418/16.7 points per game) and most points in a career (1,141/12.5 points per game). She was a four-year starter in basketball, playing in 91 consecutive games. Her basketball teams were conference and Regional champs in 1970, '80 and '81, and Sectional champs in 1980 and 1981. In track, Elliott was Sectional champion in the 400-meter dash and long jump in the State finals in 1981. She was a member of the 1600-meter relay team that placed first in the Sectional in 1980. Elliott was named the NPHS Female Athlete of the Year in 1981. She went on to play women's basketball at UW-La Crosse in 1982. She was voted one of Arizona's "Top 100 Business Women in 1995."

Charles Hanke was in the teaching/coaching profession for 38 years and began his career at Eagle River High School in 1954. He coached the Eagles to five conference championships and four runners-up in football, and six conference championships and five runners-up in baseball. His baseball teams were Regional champions and Sectional playoff participants on two occasions. He was conference Coach of the Year on three separate occasions. Hanke received a bachelor of science degree from UW-Stevens point and as master of science degree from UW-Madison. While at college, he was a four-year varsity letterman in football, where he was a member of two conference championship teams. He played semipro football with the Merrill Foxes and semipro baseball with the Merrill Rangers. He was inducted into the UW-Stevens Point Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. Hanke was awarded the 25-year pin by the Wisconsin High School Coaches Association and was a District 2 representative with the association for a five-year term. He was an official for high school and college games in football, basketball and baseball. He is a veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater.

A 1980 graduate of Northland Pines High School, Dan Kroggel received many athletic awards in football and basketball, including football MVP, basketball MVP, Channel All-Star, first team all-conference  defensive back and Lumberjack Conference total offensive champion in 1979. During his high school career, he was named the Coaches Outstanding Male Athlete. In football, Kroggel held records in yards passing, passing attempts, passes completed and total yards. He went on to play college sports at Mount Senario College, where he was all-conference in 1983-84 and co-captain and MVP in 1984 in basketball. In football, he was MVP defensive back and all-conference in 1982 and 1983. Kroggel said none of his athletic accomplishments would have been possible without his teammates and coaches. Remains active in sports, coaching basketball, football and softball.

A 1981 graduate of Northland Pines High School. Anne led her basketball team to three straight conference titles and a four-year record of 77-14. Her team advanced to the State Tournament in Class B, finishing as runners-up in 1980 and 1981. A four-year letter winner and starter, she completed her career as the fourth-leading scorer in NPHS history and received all-conference honors in 1980 and 1981, when she was team MVP and conference player of the year. She received all-state special mention in 1981. In track, she was a four-year letter winner with 732 career point. She was named MVP in 1981, and set school records in the 2-mile, 880-yard relay, and 220-yard hurdles, 110-yard hurdles, long jump and 60- and 70-yard indoor hurdles. She earned 34 career individual conference, invitational and WIAA State Meet champion titles. She was co-recipient of Northland Pines Athlete of the Year in 1981. She went on to a successful track and cross-country career at Carroll College, named All-American in both sports in 1986. She was inducted into the Carroll College Hall of Fame in 1999.

A family physician in Eagle River for many years, Dr. Lewis Jacobson's contributions to the Eagle River High School and Northland Pines High School athletic programs have been many. For several years, he provided free WIAA athletic physical examinations for players. He was team physician for the football team from 1969-94. He was team physician for Northland Pines hockey team from 1976-95. In 1981 he was honored by the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association in appreciation for his many years of, "distinguished service to high school athletics."

Hard work, very humble beginnings and perseverance provided impetus for the many achievements of Ernest Johnson. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, in 1931. From 1932-35, he taught and coached baseball at his hometown of Hiles. In the fall of 1935, he accepted a teaching/coaching position at Eagle River Union Free High School. Johnson coached football at Eagle River for 21 years (1935-56). His teams won 14 championships, with four consecutive seasons unscored upon. He also served as basketball coach for 30 years (1935-65). He was inducted into the football and basketball Wisconsin High School Coaches hall of fame. His high school teaching career spanned 42 years, instructing nine subjects, including his favorite, biology. Coach Johnson also dedicated his life to his students, stirring their minds, driving them to greater heights, and affecting their philosophies. He was a sterling example of sportsmanship. He passed away April 18, 1944.

A member of the Northland Pines High School graduating class of 1979, Craig Ludwig was a multi-sport athlete who participated in hockey, football, track and baseball. He was a four-year letter winner in hockey. Playing defense, he led the Eagles to four state tournaments and was named all-conference four straight years. Ludwig went on to play college hockey at the University of North Dakota, winning two NCAA hockey championships. At UND, he was a two-time All-American. He went on to and 18-year professional career in the National Hockey League, playing with the Montreal Canadians, the New York Rangers, the Minnesota North Stars and the Dallas Stars, and winning two Stanley Cups. Ludwig was more than a hockey player at Northland Pines. In track he was a three-year letter winner and set school records in the shot put and discus. He also was a conference champion and regional champion in shot put and discus. In football, he was a three-year letter winner, named all-conference his sophomore, junior and senior years.

A 1949 graduate of Eagle River High School, Dallas R. May was a four-year letter winner in football and a three-year letter winner in basketball and baseball. Unfortunately for the Eagles, he was unable to play winter and spring sports in his senior year due to a football injury in the fall. He was named all-conference football first team and all-state his senior year; all-conference football second team as a junior; and all-conference basketball as a junior. He attended Wisconsin State College in Milwaukee, where he became an all-conference football player and was named a Little All-American his senior year. He went on to a teaching and coaching career that spanned 36 years. Mayo coached at Oostburg High School, Eagle River High School and Big Foot High School. As a coach, he was football Coach of the Year in 1962; his team was basketball co-champion in 1961; and he was selected as an All-American coach, chosen by the athletes, in 1969. A quote written by Coach Ernie Johnson in his senior yearbook reads: "Truly, you are ranked as one of the few 'best' athletes we've had." He passed away Feb. 16, 1996.

A 1975 graduate of Eagle River High School Audrey Kleppe Perk excelled in volleyball, she was the team MVP in 1972-74, when she was named first team all-conference. In basketball, she was MVP and first team all-conference in both 1974 and 1975. In track, she was team MVP in 1973-75. After her high school career she went on to Carroll College, where she lettered in volleyball from 1975-78. In 1978, her team won the conference title and participated in the nationals. In basketball at Carroll, she lettered from 1976-78. She was team captain from 1976-78. In track she lettered from 1976-78, and was captain and MVP in 1979. She was named Carroll College Woman Athlete of the Year in 1978. She went on to become a physical education instructor and coach at Carroll College from 1979-89. She was inducted into the Carroll College Athletic Hall of Fame Oct. 12, 1990.