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ESCANABA -- Seven athletes from the past and a group of individuals were inducted into the Escanaba Football Wall of Fame during halftime of the Petoskey-Esky game here Friday night.
The late Bruce Craig had dedication, commitment and love for football and inspired those around him on and off the field. His passion for the game never ended on the field, but continued at home where his siblings knew first hand what football meant to their older brother.
Number 71 played offense and defense and embraced his teammates while living the dream of playing football and setting an example for future players and teams.
Craig joined the United States Marine Corp in 1967 and continued his grind in fighting for our freedom. He was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam and is memorialized on the Vietnam Memorial.
In his honor a Bruce K. Craig Trophy is presented to the best Class C football team in the Upper Peninsula, an award recognized by the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
The late John Eugate played interior defensive linemen during the 1971 and '72 seasons. With his 5-foot-10, 245-pound stature and his strength and love for football, he helped the 1971 team finish 7-2 and the '72 team capture the Great Northern Conference at 4-0. In the same year (1972) he was selected co-captain and selected for the GNC Defensive Team and earned Class A all-state honorable mention.
After high school, Eugate worked at Mead Paper Company and passed away in 2002, leaving behind his wife Cindy and son Justin. After his passing, he was blessed with six grandchildren and his oldest grandson wore number 76 and gained honorable mention in the Big North Conference.
Craig Kamin's love for football started at an early age and continued through the U.P. All-Star game in 2019.
Kamin earned many accolades and was GNC Player of the Year and named to the All-U.P. Dream Team in his senior year. He passed for 2,000 yards and ran for 1,000 as a senior. He also lettered in baseball and basketball and earned the Pfotenhauer/Gessner trophy as a graduating senior. He is very proud of the Class of 2019 for the accomplishments which included two Division 4 district champions and a regional title.
During his four years, the Eskymos never lost a home game and were undefeated in their jayvee year and credits coach Dave Howes for mentoring him and contributing to his success.
Kamin works at Billerud and enjoys spending time with his wife Lexi and daughter Brea.
David Nault was born and raised in Escanaba and always dreamed of playing for and representing Esky football. In his words, 'there is no better feeling than running out on the field in front of the Eskymo fans.'
Although he wasn't the biggest on the field, he used his speed and smarts and became a two-year starter on varsity as a safety. With the help of incredible teammates and coaches, he set the school season and career interception records.
In 1995, he was selected to the U.P. All-Class Football Team. Nault said his greatest honor was the players and coaches he played with during his time as an Eskymo.
After high school, Nault attended Central Michigan University, then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served in South Korea, Germany and Qtar. He married his wife Su Young and they have raised their children Brandon and Ashley.
Dan Schueren lived in Cornell which didn't allow him to participate in athletics until his junior year once he had a driver's license. He earned a starting position on varsity and started in every game. During his time at Escanaba, he earned all-conference and All-U.P. while playing on offense and defense.
He received a football scholarship at Northern Michigan University and was part of its undefeated team in 1967 and earned a place on NMU's Hall of Fame. The Wildcats played in the NAIA national championship quarterfinals where they lost to Fairmont State.
Scheuren and his wife Mary live in Oshkosh, Wis. where they are blessed with two children, Holly and Brent, and four grandchildren.
Cody Vandermissen began his love for football at an early age, playing in his yard with his dad and brothers, then was playing for Esky with his old-fashioned, hard-hitting style which made him the bulldozer fullback the fans enjoyed to watch as he carried 3-4 opposing tacklers along with him as he moved upfield. His talent found him playing fullback and linebacker. His specialty on offense was the 'Moose package,' developed by coach Hughes where he would lead several backs in a play that would leave their opponents all over the field.
During his senior year, Vandermissen injured his shoulder but continued to play where he averaged nine solo tackles and seven yards per carry on varsity. Vandermissen and his teammates earned back-to-back district titles and a regional championship.
As a senior, he earned GNC first team and All-U.P. Dream Team as a linebacker. His coach (Dave Howes) says, "Cody was one of the toughest kids he had coached in Escanaba football.
Jeff Young was on the undefeated 1973 team at Esky, on which a special bunch of guys crowded into the Igloo. The starters and reserves were all very close friends and have remained the same even today.
One of his fondest moments took place in the team's first game against Marquette which was tied at 14 at halftime. Coach Jerry Cvengros called for a sweep left and with the help of Jack Hirn's blocking, Young ran for a 64-yard touchdown. One of the team's highlights of the 1973 season took place in a scrimmage with Schofield D.C. Everest which ended in a scoreless tie. That team went on to take the Wisconsin Class A championship.
The Escanaba Quarterback Club created a special award as part of the Wall of Fame, an honor which will be awarded to individuals or groups not directly related to the football program.
This year's award was presented to the Rogers family which includes Pat, Carrol, Mike, Tim, Dan, Jim, Don and Sue. They are a community-minded family which not only gave many years of its time and dedication, but also brought up the next generation of Rogers to do the same.