More than 450 people registered and attended Great Lake State Weekend 2018 on a chilly November weekend. Most were alumni, but we also welcomed parents and families of current students and many Laker fans. A group of Laker wrestlers returned to campus for the weekend, and we had an especially strong turnout of female alumni athletes, who returned to honor four of their own: Jean Carbeno Kreidler ’84 (volleyball) and Margaret “Mugs” Olson Pollard ’81 (softball, basketball, volleyball) were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame; Julie Vincent (basketball) received the Kenneth J. Shouldice Achievement Award and Erin Strang (volleyball) received the Paul Ripley Award for Young alumni. They gathered downtown Friday night after the Awards banquet and had brunch together Saturday prior to the Hall of Fame ceremony. The ladies had a blast, and it was a wonderful show of support for their Laker sisters. About 100 people attended the Alumni Awards banquet, and 150 turned out for the Hall of Fame induction.
The Laker hockey team split with their old CCHA rival, University of Michigan, in two exciting games that featured record attendance in Abel Arena.
Kids Kollege was popular once again, featuring hands-on science experiments including making elephant toothpaste, strawberry DNA and slime. From there the kids and their families headed over to the Norris Center to try out the bounce house and Human Hamster Ball. The Women’s Walk fund raiser for women’s varsity sports at LSSU was moved to GLSW this year, kicking off with a reception at the Cisler Center and continuing with a stroll through campus led by HOF inductees Jean Kreidler and Margaret Pollard. The Walk ended at the GLSW Tailgate, held in the tennis courts outside Norris for the second year. Laker Radio provided music while attendees played cornhole, kids got their faces painted and everyone gathered around fire pits and propane heaters. Hardy Laker fans enjoyed food and beverages that they brought themselves or purchased from LSSU food service. We’ll be back outside in 2019, and with GLSW moving back to mid-October, temperatures should be at LEAST ten degrees warmer!
Great Lake State Weekend 2019 has been tentatively scheduled for October 11-12. Mark your calendars, and check https://alumni.lssu.edu/ or the Alumni Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LSSUAlumni/ for updates!
