Facelift, New Sod, Lights Enhance Joint City-College Football, Track Facility

took time from its preseason practice schedule this fall to help out.

“We took an afternoon off and went down to help assemble the bleachers,” Ernst says. “It was a positive experience. When you live in a community [like Ripon], it’s important to contribute and be a part of the community.”

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A NCAA Division II school competing in the 13-member Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), the NMU women’s swimming and diving team finished third in the 200203 GLIAC championships. Previously, NMU had captured five consecutive conference championships from 1998-2002.

The pride they may take with them when they finish at Ripon College could be even more important, Ernst thinks. “Forty years from now, they can come back to a football game and say, ‘I put up those bleachers over there,’” he says.

Athletes weren’t the only ones to contribute, however. Sherman looked to both college and high school art students for artwork to be placed in the press boxes to be built. “I think they’re great,” Sherman said of the paintings at the time.

What’s the result? The creation of a facility in which everyone has pride.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Sherman says.

Neill also is excited by the developments. “The wonderful new entrance, press box, lights and sign help our guests see the pride we all take in our student athletics.” r

Ian Stepleton ’98 Stepleton is managing editor of the Ripon Commonwealth Press and a frequent contributor to Ripon Magazine

Elizabeth Tierney

NMU boasted two all-American swimmers in 200203. In 2001-02, NMU had four allAmericans and nine swimmers with honorable mention. In its 25-year existence, the program has created 22 national champions and nearly 200 all-Americans.

Tierney swam competitively in each of her four years at Oshkosh. For the 2002-03 season she was both team captain and most valuable performer for the women’s swim team. She was a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) finalist 12 times and nominated conference swimmer of the week four times. She has a variety of experience in water sports including time as a lifeguard, swim instructor and logrolling instructor at the La Crosse (Wis.) Family YMCA. She also served as the head coach at the Holmen (Wis.) Area Aquatic Center for three years.

“This position provides a great opportunity for me to stay involved in the sport that I love and hopefully pass that passion on to others,” says Tierney

Francis, an All-American and Academic All-American tennis player and four-year letter winner at Ripon, took over the women’s tennis program from Kristin Dodds ’98. Dodds coached one year, leading the Red Hawks to a 9-5 season and a second place finish in the conference championships.

At Ripon, Francis set records for most career wins in singles and doubles and qualified for the NCAA national tournament twice. He has coached men’s tennis at Alma College and Michigan State University and was an assistant boys’ coach at Oshkosh North High School.

“Kevin was an outstanding tennis player in college and his coaching background will help guide our women’s team,” says Athletic Director Bob Gillespie. r

It’s DU in Browns Lake

This group of 1967-71 Ripon alumni who are all members of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, gathered at Browns Lake, Wis., in late June of this year. From left are Joan Knutson Wolfgram ’69 of Barrington, Ill.; Randy Jefferson ’70 of Wausau, Wis.; Dan Wolfgram ’69; Ken Warren ’70 of Milwaukee; Dave Roahen ’70 of Ft. Atkinson, Wis; Mark Tannenbaum ’71 of Western Springs, Ill.; Bruce Gray ’71 (obscured) of Columbia, Mo.; Curt Powell ’69 of Northbrook, Ill.; Jim Beisner ’71 of Stockbridge, Ga.; Don Nunemaker ’69 of Novato, Calif.; Bob Uehling ’70 of Capitola, Calif.; Paul Atkins ’69 of Avon, Conn.; Bob Zimmerman ’70 of River Forest, Ill.; Jean Grieb of Chicago; Dan Dykstra ’69 of Rohnert Park, Calif.; Otto Wachholtz ’69 of Papillion, Neb.; Mike Lemmenes ’71 of Plainfield, Ill.; Rick Schroeder ’67 of Greendale, Wis.; and Bill Grieb ’70.