Nov 22
Nov 06, 2018
ATHLETIC LAUREL LEGACIES – Lake Superior State University Alumni Director Susan Fitzpatrick (left) welcomes, from left, former athletes Margaret Olson Pollard ’81, Jean (Carbeno) Kreidler ’84, Darrin Madeley ’92, Mark Astley ’92, and Ben Dewar ’03 into the 2018 Lake Superior State Athletic Hall of Fame during Nov. 3 ceremonies in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. This year’s inductees included two members of the 1992 NCAA National Championship-winning hockey team – Darrin Madeley and Mark Astley – as well as basketball player Benjamin Dewar, volleyball player Jean Kreidler, and multi-sport athlete Margaret “Mugs” Olson Pollard, who spent time on the softball, volleyball and basketball teams. Dewar was high scorer on the basketball team during each of his seasons in a Laker jersey. (Photo by John Shibley)
Laker hockey alumnus Mark Astley ‘92 was introduced via video by his former coach – and current head hockey coach at Notre Dame – Jeff Jackson. Astley was an integral part of the 1992 National Championship team that he co-captained. He holds multiple school records as well; he’s the tops in single-season assists by a defenseman, after notching 37 in the 1991-1992 season. Astley kicked off a pro career in Switzerland with HC Lugano in the 1992-1993 season and played for HC Ambri-Piotta in the same league the following season, 1993-1994. He made his NHL debut in 1993, appearing in one game with Buffalo. He represented Team Canada in the 1994 Winter Olympics, where he took home a silver medal. Following his time on the Canadian National Team, he played in the Sabres organization where he split time between the NHL and AHL until 1996. Astley finished off his career playing in Switzerland for HC Lugano and part of two Swiss NLA Championship-winning teams.
Laker men’s basketball alumnus Ben Dewar ’03 was introduced by his brother, Pete. Dewar played professional basketball internationally, with stints in Denmark, Spain, and France. He won the French ProB Championship in 2006 and took home the Finals MVP honor. Orleans Loiret Basket was promoted to the ProA ranks the following season. Dewar continued to excel, even at the higher level of play, and earned a spot on the league’s all-star team as a result. During time with Spain’s Lucentum Alicante, the team made it to the Spanish Basketball Cup, an annual cup competition hosted by Liga ACB, Spain’s top professional league. For his final season in professional basketball, he returned to France to play for Cholet Basket. He captained the team – an honor he received three other times during his career.
Laker volleyball alumna Jean (Carbeno) Kreidler ‘84 was introduced by her former volleyball coach Debra McPherson-Doyle. Kreidler played for the LSSU volleyball team from 1980 to 1984. She was named GLIAC Player of the Week twice throughout her career – once in 1982 after leading the Lakers to five straight wins thanks to her .461 attack percentage, and once in 1983 after compiling 40 kills in two wins against Northern Michigan and Hillsdale. She also earned All-GLIAC First Team Honors for those two seasons. Kreidler holds LSSU’s record for single-match kills with 34 against Michigan Tech on October 11, 1982.
Laker hockey alumnusDarrin Madeley ‘92 chose longtime Voice of the Lakers broadcaster Bill Crawford to present him. Madeley was goalie for LSSU from 1989-1992. He led the team to two national championship tournaments during his three seasons on the squad and won the title in 1992. His play was awarded multiple honors during his final two seasons at Lake State, including NCAA All-America First Team, CCHA First Team and All-Tournament team honors in 1991 and 1992. He was named CCHA Tournament MVP in 1992 and was also a Hobey Baker finalist that season as one of the nation’s top collegiate hockey players. After leaving LSSU, Madeley signed with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent during their expansion season, and split time between the NHL and AHL over the next few seasons. His post-NHL career included stints in the Finland SM-liiga and the Deutsche Eishockey League (Germany). His final professional season was with the ECHL’s Pensacola Ice Pilots and then as a player-coach for the Saginaw Gears of the United Hockey League.
Margaret (Olson) Pollard ‘81 also chose her former coach to introduce her. Debra McPherson-Doyle was both volleyball and softball coach at that time. Fondly known as “Mugs” or “Mugzy” by her teammates, Margaret was a three-sport athlete. She was recruited by LSSU’s first women’s basketball coach Gunile Myers-Devault to play basketball and softball on a full-ride scholarship. She added volleyball to her undertaking after joining the team as a walk-on when she came to campus in 1977. During four years on the softball team, Pollard played in every game. She was primarily a pitcher, but when she wasn’t pitching, she could be found on third base. Pollard received the honor of All Conference GLIAC First Team Pitcher, as well as All State SMAIAW First Team Pitcher. During both the 1978 and 1981 seasons, she was recognized as LSSC Softball’s Most Valuable Player.
Lake Superior State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame inducts a new class every other year. The next induction will be in 2020.