Your Alumni Association follows Laker hockey and basketball teams around Michigan and beyond, planning socials where alumni from far and wide can come and show their support for our teams. Closer to home, we host events on campus and around town, and fortify our students with sugary snacks during Exam Week!
In December we celebrated Senior Sendoff, honoring students who completed their graduation requirements in August or December. We gathered at Soo Brewing Company for great food from the Wicked Sister and Laker swag, all sponsored by the Alumni Association.
Alumni Campus Employees (ACE) bake, buy and host tables with cookies and donuts for students during exam week each semester.
There are more than 100 LSSU alumni who work for their alma mater, and they all pitch in to give our students a little sugar buzz to get them through that last week before the holiday break. Thank you to ACE!
Laker hockey competed in the Great Lakes Invitational for the first time in 19 years in December, and won the event for the first time in school history! The Lakers defeated Michigan State University in a nail-biting overtime victory on December 30 to claim a spot in the championship game, and then took down Michigan Tech 6-3 on New Year’s Eve. It was the first time two Upper Peninsula teams made simultaneous appearances at the tourney, which has been going on since 1964. Tom Coates ’86 of the LSSU Foundation hosted more than 100 happy Laker fans after the MSU game at Kid Rock’s Made in Michigan Restaurant in Little Caesars Arena. Pictured in the photo on the right are Paul MacDonald ’81, retired judge Michael MacDonald ’73 and Paul Boyer ’93. Paul MacDonald and Paul Boyer both work for Red Wings administration. Who are those lovely ladies? Let us know!
Alumni Board member Anna (Kerr) Hotz ’03 hosted Laker fans and friends at Rounders in Mankato before Laker hockey skated against Minnesota-Mankato January 19. Anna and her husband drive from Minneapolis to host a social here every season. Often the parents of current athletes join alumni at the pre-game gathering. Thank you, Anna!
Alumni Board members Carol (Andary) Boger ‘78, Brittany (Litchard) Barrett ‘17 and Katelynn (O’Boyle) Coon ‘10 helped host the January 26 Tailgate at Lukenda Alumni House. High school students participating in the Laker Gold scholarship competition were special guests at this tailgate prior to Laker hockey vs. Bemidji State. Lakers split on the weekend, winning on Friday and falling to the Beavers on Saturday.
The following weekend a group of Laker fans rooted on a different team – The Soo Greyhounds of the OHL in Sault, Ontario. Lakers gathered pre-game at Soo Blaster prior to the game at GLF Memorial Gardens – a Greyhound victory!
More than 30 Laker basketball alumni came back to campus for the annual Basketball Alumni Weekend February 16. The men’s team from 2008-09 were recognized on the 10-year anniversary of the league championship. Post game, alumni gathered at Soo Brewing Company for food, fun and camaraderie. Pictured here are members of the 2008-09 team, L to R: Brandon Lokken, Nathan Householder, Matt Romatz, Tim VanOudheusden, Ryan Kuhl, Kyle Hunt, Mark Morse, Mike Boylan, Garret Konuszewski, Jeremy Beasley, Mike Rader, Scott Perkins.
Lake State After Hours was celebrated at Soo Brewing Company, View Restaurant & Bar in Sault, Ontario and twice in the Cooper Gym in conjunction with Laker basketball. Suggest a venue for spring or summer! Email [email protected].
Coming up this spring are Career Success Week for current students, the traditional snowman burning on the spring equinox, Senior Sendoff for grads and Golden Graduate Reunion in conjunction with LSSU Commencement. Come join us!
About the Author
Susan FitzpatrickDirector of Alumni Relations
Susan started working at Lake Superior State University one year after she graduated from Lake State with a bachelor's in English Language and Literature in 1987. She has held various positions for the Foundation and Alumni offices and has been Alumni Director since 2006. In her free time Susan enjoys reading, running, biking, hiking, kayaking and gardening, and cooking as long as someone else cleans up!