Patrick “Packy” Mader is enthusiastic about presenting Minnesota’s rich sports history at the Olympics to Rochester Rotary Club members. His books, Minnesota Gold and More Minnesota Gold, highlight the stories, lives, challenges, perseverance, and achievements of more than 100 remarkable living Minnesota athletes who competed at the international level–including people from a cross section of sports from 1948 – present.

Packy will be highlighting Olympians with connections to Rochester and southeast Minnesota as he shares the positive experience throughout his research, in-person interviews, writing, and editing in an engaging and entertaining style. Rochester athletes Mark Lutz, a sprinter in the 1976 Olympics; hockey player Jim Johannson, a member of the 1988 and 1992 Olympic roster; swimmer Sean Quackenbush, a World University competitor; World Championship runners Garrett Heath of Winona and Ted Nelson of Faribault; and wrestler Gary Neist of Albert Lea are featured in the books. Also profiled are two-time Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Whalen; former Governor Wendy Anderson, a 1956 Olympian and hockey legends Henry Boucha, John Mayasich, and Tim Sheehy; speedskater and 2002 flag bearer Amy Peterson; and 1980 Miracle on Ice players Buzz Schneider and John Harrington. The Olympians were approachable, intelligent, articulate, and modest–demonstrating Olympian character and qualities who “give back” to their sport, community, and school.

Rochester athletes who competed on the world stage: Mark Lutz, Jim Johannson, and Sean Quackenbush.