Back to the Future Kyle’S Return to Wildcat Bench Ties Past to Present

SPORTS Back to the future Kyle’s return to Wildcat bench ties past to present n about a month, new NMU everything about the program and hockey coach Walt Kyle ’81 BS college athletics in general,” he said. Iwill face off against none other He has also been working with assis- than Rick Comley ’73 MA—his tants Dave Shyiak ’93 BS and Brian mentor, friend, coach, former boss, Renfrew to finalize details for the and the only other person to hold upcoming season, and to familiarize the same title in the program’s 26- himself with both his team as well as year history. the others on this year’s schedule. In June, Kyle was selected to fill “It’s been hectic, but I’m having the position vacated by Comley, who fun,” he said. left to become the coach at Michigan Kyle added that while Wildcat State University. The ’Cats and Spar- hockey has entered a new coaching tans will open their respective Central era, the goals are familiar: win games Collegiate Hockey Association slates and educate players. against each other Oct. 18-19 at the “My goals today are the same as Berry Events Center. when I was here 10 years ago: give “It’ll be strange to see Rick across our student-athletes an outstanding the rink from me, but hey that’s collegiate experience on the ice, in hockey,” laughed Kyle, who served as Then and now—Top left: Walt Kyle from his the classroom, and at the university Comley’s assistant coach from 1982- NMU hockey days. Top right: Kyle today. in general; and compete for and win Bottom (r-l): Kyle with Rick Comley and 92. “We’re great friends right up until Morey Gare. league and national titles. The hockey the puck drops and then again when program is in a partnership with the the final buzzer sounds.” the assistant’s position. university to build good men. We’ll For the past two years, Kyle Over the past summer Kyle has impact futures and that’s exciting to was the assistant coach of the been busy “learning and relearning me,” he said. National Hockey League’s New York Rangers. His other NHL stint was as assistant, then associate coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from New Wildcat club roars into action 1996-98. Since leaving NMU, Kyle In April, two NMU athletic affinity clubs, the Golden Wildcat Club and has held head coaching jobs in the the Gridiron Club, merged to form the Wildcat Club. The Golden Wildcat American, International, and Club had supported all Northern men’s and women’s athletic teams while Western Hockey Leagues. the Gridiron Club had been the football team booster group. Kyle transferred from Boston According to NMU Athletic Director Dan Spielmann, membership College in 1978, joining his brother gifts can still be designated to any of the university’s five men’s or Jon Kyle ’82 BS at Northern for the seven women’s programs. 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons. He Information about various levels of Wildcat Club membership, mem- served as a team captain both years, ber benefits, and membership forms are available on-line at including for the 1980 squad that www.nmu.edu/devfund/affinityclubs.htm, by calling the Development finished as the runner-up to North Fund at 906-227-2627, or by e-mailing [email protected]. Dakota at the NCAA Championship. Spielmann said the Blue Line Club wasn’t included in the club After Kyle graduated, he became merger because at the time the hockey coach search had not yet been an NMU graduate assistant in 1981- completed, but that he and Coach Walt Kyle will meet with Blue Line 82 for a year before being elevated to Club governing board members to discuss the matter. 16 HORIZONS Six inducted into NMU Sports Hall of Fame n September 20, five for- out that being a team captain meant a back as the team bus was coming mer Wildcat athletes and a lot more than just going out on the down the hill from the airport Olong-time NMU sports field for the coin toss. And working as returning to campus and there was a radio broadcaster were inducted as a GA taught me a lot about what I train of cars that went on for miles. It the 26th class of the Northern did and didn’t want to do as a coach.” was an incredible site.” Michigan University Sports Hall of Ann Van Dyke ’79 Dallas Drake ‘92, Fame. Recently, Horizons talked to BS, Women’s Ice Hockey each of the new Hall members and Basketball and Then: 1992 First- asked them about their best memory Volleyball Team All-American; in NMU college athletics: Then: First NMU 1992 WCHA James Donnelly ’71 female athlete to Defensive Player of BS: Men’s earn eight letters; the Year. Swimming team captain in both sports. Now: Forward for the National Then: NMU’s first Now: Physical education and read- Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues. NCAA Division II ing teacher for the Harrison County “There are too many great national runner-up Schools in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. NMU memories, both on and off (breaststroke); “I had three basketball and four the ice, to pick just one, but obvi- NMU’s first NCAA two-time All- volleyball coaches during my time at ously the highlight of my hockey American swimmer. Northern. I learned a lot from all of career there was winning the 1991 Now: President of Donnelly them, but I learned so much from NCAA Championship. We had a Printing in Sarasota, Florida. Barb Patrick. I can’t even begin to great team and we’re really a close “My greatest NMU athletic tell you how my NMU experience bunch of guys. That was the best, highlight was finishing second at the impacted my life. It was the greatest. simply the best, athletic moment.” NCAA Division II championships I just love Northern.” in the 200 breast. I was and still am Joe Blake, Brad Werenka ’90 Broadcaster very proud of being NMU’s first BS, Ice Hockey swimming All-American.” Then: Play-by-play Then: 1991 Hobey announcer for more Mike Berry ’78 BS, Baker finalist; 1991 than 750 games over Football First-Team All- 19 seasons; broad- Then: 1976 Second- America Defense- caster of three NMU national cham- Team All-America man; 1991 NCAA All-Tournament pionship titles and three NCAA Defensive Tackle; Team. runner-up crowns. member of 1975 Now: Defenseman for the National Now: Owner of Marquette radio National Championship team. Hockey League’s Calgary Flames. station Q107-WMQT. Now: Teacher, athletic director, golf “My first and last NMU hockey “The most awesome game I coach, and former football coach weekends are the ones that stand out. ever covered was the 1991 NCAA (23 years) at Kettering High School My introduction to college hockey title game for hockey, just because in Waterford, Michigan. was against Wisconsin in Madison. the game was so dramatic and the “The highlight of my athletic The moment I stepped on the ice level of talent on those teams—it’s career at NMU was winning the and felt that excitement and energy, I just mind-boggling when you think national championship. I think being knew I had made the right decision about it. The 1980 national title a team captain and serving a year as a when I chose the college route. The game was also pretty amazing, con- graduate assistant coach were both other is after winning the national sidering the program was just four very interesting experiences. I found championship: I remember looking years old at the time.” FALL 2002 17.

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