Date: January 26, 2022
Time: 3:30 am  to  4:30 am

Duluth Public Library Downton
520 W Superior St
Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 730-4200

The port city of Duluth has a storied athletic history in hockey, ski jumping, speedskating, nordic skiing, rowing, and running at the national and Olympic level.  Patrick Mader’s two volumes on Minnesota athletes who competed at the Olympics include speedskater Anna Ringsred, rower Dave Krmpotich, biathlete Carolyn Treacy, runner Kara Wheeler, and nordic skier George Hovland.  Curlers Courtney and Tyler George, hockey players such as Phil Verchota, and a wealth of ski jumpers and nordic skiers from Duluth have represented the city at the Olympics.  Join us as we discuss not only Duluth’s amazing athletes but also those from the neighboring Iron Range.

The Iron Range has supplied many outstanding hockey players and curlers to the U. S. Olympic team: John Mayasich, Willard Ikola, Andre Gambucci, and Mark Pavelich of Eveleth; John Harrington, Matt Cullen, and Steve Sertich of Virginia; Jared Zezal and Jack Petroske of Hibbing; Bill Baker of Grand Rapids; John Shuster of Chisholm; Shawn Rojeski from Biwabik; and Jeff Isaacson of Gilbert.

William “Buzz” Schneider was an instrumental player on the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” gold medal-winning hockey team. A respected teammate and alternate captain, Buzz was a prolific scorer on the team. The victory over the Soviet Union is still referred to as America’s greatest sports memory.

Come learn about these remarkable Rangers and other Minnesota athletes who have proudly been part of our state’s rich heritage in the Olympic Games. A multi-media event with a question-and-answer period after the presentation have engaged and entertained library patrons across the state.

Chisholm native Joel Maturi, former University of Minnesota Athletic Director, wrote the foreword of one of Patrick’s 400-page, full color, coffee-table sized books.

       
2014 Olympian speedskater Anna Ringsred       World Champion medalist Kara Wheeler   1952 Olympian George Hovland