Alumni

NMU Night at Red Wings Nov. 7

Northern Michigan University alumni and friends are invited to join fellow Wildcats at NMU Night at the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in Little Caesars Arena. A free pre-game gathering with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Taphouse presented by Bell's Brewery.
Photo from past NMU Night at the Detroit Red Wings event

NMU Alumni Awards Presented

Northern Michigan University honored the three recipients of its 2025 Alumni Awards at a luncheon during Homecoming. Dr. Peter LaPine ('76 MA) of East Lansing received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Retired NMU professor and alumna Barb Coleman ('77 BS, '81 MS) of Marquette was recognized for Alumni Achievement, and Ian Lewis ('18 BS, '22 MPA) of Laurium received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Award recipients (from left): Ian Lewis ('18 BS, '22 MPA) of Laurium, Outstanding Young Alumni; Dr. Peter LaPine ('76 MA) of East Lansing, Distinguished Alumni; and Barb Coleman ('77 BS, '81 MS) of Marquette, Alumni Achievement.

NMU’s 1975 Football Team Celebrates National Championship Anniversary

Many players and the lone surviving coach from the 1975 Wildcat football team, which achieved the most remarkable turnaround in sports history by following a winless season with a championship, reflected on their improbable journey to the NCAA Division II title during a 50th anniversary reunion last weekend. A production team planning to give “the greatest story never told” a feature-film treatment was also on campus for the event.
The 1975 team members hold up four fingers as a tribute to the late coach Buck Nystrom's fourth-quarter program when they were honored during halftime of the Wildcats Oct. 11 game in the Superior Dome.

Mariucci's NMU Jersey Retired

Former Wildcat quarterback Steve Mariucci approached the storied 1975 football season third on the position's depth chart. Injuries to the starter during a practice before the first game and later to the backup five minutes into his first quarter of action propelled the Iron Mountain native into the leading role.
Steve and Gayle Mariucci, with his symbolic jersey suspended from the Superior Dome rafters in the background.

Locke in Germany for Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Program

Northern Michigan University alumna Lindsey Locke is one of 65 Americans selected to study and work in Germany for a year as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. About 420 U.S. applicants representing a variety of career fields and locations vied for a spot in the prestigious program, now in its 42nd year. Locke graduated last May with a double major in international studies and Spanish.
Locke in front of Roman Ruins in Trier, Germany (the country's oldest city)

NMU to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of NCAA Football Championship

Northern Michigan University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1975 NCAA Division II champion football team with several events for alumni and campus/community members Thursday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 11. The Wildcats achieved the most remarkable turnaround in the history of NCAA or professional sports by following a winless season with a championship. They compiled a 13-1 record, including a 16-14 victory over Western Kentucky in the DII national title game.
50th Anniversary NCAA DII Championship celebration logo

NMU Grad Works at World University Games

Abby Knight, who earned a master's degree in exercise science from Northern Michigan University in 2023, was invited to join the U.S. athletic training staff at the recent FISU World University Games in Berlin, Germany. About 8,500 student-athletes and technical officials from more than 150 countries participated in 18 sports. This was her first time applying her knowledge and skills abroad.
The USA delegation of athletic trainers at the World University Games (from left): Justine Coliflores, NMU alumna Abby Knight, Michael Hoang and Paul Alvarez.