Growing up playing soccer, baseball and football in The Wayzata Youth Sports Programs, Marion was educated in the Wayzata School District, beginning at Greenwood Elementary. He would say, “Ms. (Ann) Crowningshield had the biggest impact on his desire to learn.” Ms. Crowningshield also had his brother Dom in the classroom. She is family, and one of our dearest friends.
Graduating from Wayzata High School June 2001, Marion lettered in football, baseball and track. He went to state in track and with The Trojan Football Team his senior year. A highlight from high school was picking off Cretin-Durham Hall’s Joe Mauer two times in a Trojan win at Wayzata High.
Marion would go on to the University of Minnesota earning a scholarship to play football.
A business and marketing education alum, Marion was well known for his legacy as a member of the Gopher football team and standout NFL career. He was equally devoted to his faith, family, friends, and philanthropy for inner-city youth. As a lifelong learner, he often applied his curious spirit to new ventures.
Marion has always supported children, and The Barber Foundation was developed to support and empower urban youth by achieving their highest level of independence through mentorship, community involvement, academics, tutoring, as well as health, and fitness, as the Foundation Supported Schools in the Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dallas Fort Worth Texas areas.
Dick Beardsley is a 1975 Wayzata High School graduate who competed in Cross Country and Track & Field. Although maybe considered an average high school runner, Dick went on to become one of the most acclaimed and successful marathon runners in US history.
Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota-Waseca, Dick kept putting in hard 120-140 miles a week, scheduling workouts around chores and his jobs. After entering marathon races, his best times began to drop consistently. In a span of 46 months, he dropped his best marathon time 13 times in a row going from 2:47 down to 2:09. The streak included a win at the first ever London Marathon, which qualified him for the 1984 US Trials, and landed him a shoe sponsorship with New Balance. In 1981, his 2:09:37 at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth set a course record that stood for 33 years.
In in the early 1980’s, Dick Beardsley became one of the most famous runners/athletes in the United States following the 1982 Boston Marathon. In what has been called one of the most memorable marathons in US history, Dick Beardsley and Alberto Salazar both broke the US marathon record in their famous “Duel in the Sun” as the raced back and forth to the finish line with Beardsley finishing second by 2 seconds.
After retiring from running, Dick had a series of near fatal accidents that left him addicted to pain killers. Since his chemical-free sobriety starting in 1997, his story now is of overcoming extreme obstacles which speaks to anyone who loves competition, who has survived catastrophe, or who has pursued a seemingly impossible goal.
Beardsley started the Dick Beardsley Foundation in October 2007 to provide assistance to individuals suffering from chemical dependency who are unable to pay for a 12-step treatment program. The foundation's goals are to educate the general public about chemical dependency. It allows Beardsley to speak about his own experience in overcoming addiction
Dick has been the keynote speaker at Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, conferences, conventions, corporate events, fundraisers, galas, sporting events, prisons, schools and drug treatment centers, to name a few. Anywhere motivation, inspiration and hope are needed. Dick has spoken to countless number of groups all over the world, ranging in size from 5 people to 15,000 people.
The story of Dick's running career alone is the stuff of legends, but it is the story that comes after that draws people in and keeps them listening. Dick is a true survivor. Having looked death in the eye numerous times, Dick's life is a story of hope and redemption.
From the time my family moved to Wayzata 69 years ago, I have been involved in Wayzata sports. I grew up playing baseball at Klapprich field in Wayzata where I soon started coaching younger players. My first contact with HS sports I carried blocks for new WHS Baseball dugouts when I was in 6th grade and was given a WHS football pass. I played high school baseball, basketball, and football from 1962 to 1965 when Wayzata was the smallest school in the Lake Conference. In the fall of 1965 I started playing football at Gustavus as a walkon 6'1 190 pound tackle. I started in my sophomore year and played on 2 MIAC championship teams growing to 6’4 250 lb my senior year. During my college summers I coached the Wayzata Legion HS baseball team and started dating Nancy, my amazing wife and scorekeeper. We were married in 1972 and Nicole was first to join our family in 1974, then Keri 1977, Christine 1980, Beth 1983, Kathryne 1986, and Michael 1990.
I was blessed to coach each of them in multiple sports until they reached HS- we were a busy family. After college, I started coaching MAA youth football and was the Wayzata area director for 19 years, helping WHS football coach’s Roger Lipelt and Jack Osberg rebuild the HS program with the MAA. When Craig Johnson became Wayzata boy’s basketball coach, Craig, Dick Williams, and I started the Wayzata Youth Basketball Association which we directed for over 25 years. Dick, Earl Johnson, and I were the first WYBA boys travel coaches. When the Wayzata Girls Basketball Association started shortly after the WYBA, I served on the board and coached all my girls on house and travel teams. I even coached hockey one year.
For the past 10 years I’ve had the privilege of being a volunteer coach on the Wayzata Varsity Football staff with Brad Anderson and Lambert Brown, who I highly respect. And, now I am coaching some of my 18 grandchildren. As I look back, my most meaningful memories are the loving support and time I received from Nancy, my children, and parents who shared their time for so many years. I’m thankful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to have an impact on youth, for the lifelong relationships with parents, coaches, and even referee’s.
I had the opportunity to work with Jamie Sherwood to start the Wayzata Athletic Boosters in 1991 to financially save junior high sports and non-revenue WHS sports when they were going to be eliminated. I’m especially grateful for Dick Hanley, a JH and HS coach, and Jocko Nelson, my Gustavus football coach, who never gave up on me and gave me a chance. My most memorable WHS connection was the WHS coaches Bible Study led by Dave Stavros who the Lord used to lead me to faith in Jesus soon after Nancy and I were married.
I am humbled, grateful, and thankful to be selected.
My memories of swimming on the Wayzata HS varsity swim team are some of the fondest memories I have from growing up. My experience truly shaped me as a person and helped prepare me for so many things I would endure in the years ahead. I learned so much about self-discipline, motivation, perseverance, teamwork and team spirit. My high school swimming years helped foster my love of the sport even more! The friendships I made with my teammates will last a lifetime, and the coaches I had left a lasting impression as they played an integral role in the accomplishments I achieved in my swimming career and beyond. I would never have started in the sport at the age of 9, without my dad, who was my very first coach!
5- time MN HS State Champion (3 x 100y breaststroke, 1 x 200 IM, 1 x 400 medley relay) Minnesota Swimmer of the Year - 1993
Athena Award Winner
10-time NCAA All-American at LSU
SEC Champion - 200y breaststroke
National GTE Student-Athlete Award Recipient
NCAA Woman of the Year for Louisiana
After swimming competitively for over 13 years, attending LSU on a full scholarship, and graduating summa cum laude with a BS in Kinesiology, I knew I still wanted to compete. That’s when my brother Randy introduced me to the sport of Triathlon. It was a perfect transition from swimming as I could continue to swim, but I was also able to add biking and running to the mix. Little did I know that I would make a living competing in a sport I grew to love! I turned Pro after graduating college, made the US National Team the same year and started competing all over the world for the next 15 years. My proudest achievements were being a US National Champion (Olympic Distance & Half Ironman), Pan Am Games bronze medalist, Lifetime Fitness Series Champion, 2000/2004/2008 Triathlon Olympic Trials qualifier & 2008 US Triathlon Olympic Team Alternate.
I was most proud of my racing in 2008, as I had the best season of my career and qualified to be part of the US Olympic Team only 4 months after losing my twin sister Jenny, who suffered from Postpartum Depression/Psychosis. My family & I started a non-profit in her honor and memory, Jenny’s Light. Our mission was to improve & save lives by increasing awareness of all perinatal mood disorders, including postpartum depression. For 15 years, I put on the Jenny’s Light 5k & Kids Run in Los Gatos, CA, which raised thousands of dollars to help mothers and families worldwide.
I coached for several years after retiring from triathlon in 2012. It was so rewarding to help swimmers, runners, and triathletes improve their skills and reach their goals. Staying fit has always been a part of my life and always will be as I continue to bike and run for pleasure. I met my husband Brian through triathlon, and we reside in Aptos, CA, with our 14-year-old daughter Caitlin and 10-year-old son Evan.
At a young age, Laura Halldorson’s father, Jerry, introduced her to the sport of softball at the family’s hobby farm in Plymouth – playing catch, fielding ground balls, and taking swings in the yard. In fourth grade, she joined Hamel Girls Softball. It would be her first team of many. She loved to compete, but more than anything, she loved being part of a team.
After attending a Minnesota North Stars game with her dad, she fell in love with hockey. At Greenwood Elementary, she skated at the school’s outdoor rink in her mother, Beryl’s, old figure skates and loved it! When it was announced that there would be a girls’ youth hockey team offered in Wayzata, Laura and her sister, Rachel, signed up. The year was 1974 and very few girls were playing sports, let alone hockey. In fact, members of this Wayzata Checkers team, with their coach, Dr. Bob May, were teased for playing a game dominated by males. That was the start of Laura’s hockey playing career, one that would go from national titles with the Checkers to conference championships with Princeton University to a spot on the first U.S. Women’s National Team in the 1987 Women’s World Tournament.
While playing hockey through high school, Laura also found time to play volleyball, basketball, and softball. Those years in Trojan athletics were instrumental in her development as a student, as an athlete, and as a person. There were all-conference honors, a state tournament appearance, and an Athena Award; but the most important things Laura took from her time at WHS were the relationships she gained as a member of those teams. Wonderful friendships with teammates and coaches, along with special memories of times together are what endured long after her graduation in 1981.
After college, Laura hoped to make a living by combining two of her favorite things – sports and people. She was offered part-time assistant coaching roles in volleyball, basketball, and softball at Wayzata High School, and through those opportunities she knew that coaching was her passion. Her alma mater, Princeton University, also hired her to be an assistant coach for the women’s hockey and softball teams for two years before Laura headed to Colby College in Maine as the head women’s hockey coach. Seven years later, in 1996, Laura was hired as the inaugural head coach of the new women’s hockey program at the University of Minnesota.
In the third season of Gopher Women’s Hockey, Laura led the team to the first-ever national championship of any women’s team sport in University history. That 2000 AWHCA championship was followed by NCAA championships in 2004 and 2005, and Laura finished with an overall record of 278-67-22 in ten seasons. The on-ice success was impressive, but Laura’s primary purpose as a coach was to make a positive impact on the lives of the young women she coached. That was how she defined true success.
As she looked back, she is thankful for all of the experiences and life lessons she learned from her time at Wayzata High School. The amazing men and women who coached her and the teachers who guided her academically all played important roles in preparing her for her coaching career and for life. The friendships she made with the many teammates along the way left indelible marks on her heart. She thanks God for the blessings of being a Wayzata Trojan
When I look back on my athletic career at Wayzata High School, I feel the strongest sense of pride and appreciation. The inspiring coaches who saw my potential and drove me to be my best…the opportunities that came with competing for a top high school in the state… and my wonderful family, friends, teammates, and classmates who supported my entire journey along the way.
Competing on the Varsity Track & Field and Gymnastics teams at Wayzata High School taught me how to work hard, be a team player, and lead with positivity and good energy. Individual sports teach you how to handle pressure, sharpen your focus, and perform at your best, not just for yourself but for the better of your team. Something my high school coaches helped me master and propelled me to excel as a D1 student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin. And while many of my accolades were individual, contributing to our Track & Field team's state title in 2007 is one of my top accomplishments. Raising a trophy with a team of girls who gave it their all, alongside a group of the proudest coaches, is a memory I will forever hold in my heart.
Wayzata Athletics will always be an important part of my identity, and I am unbelievably honored to be recognized in such a way as this.
Thank you for everything you gave me and more, Wayzata High School! Go Trojans!
One of the most dominant defensive players in Wayzata football history, James Laurinaitis led the Wayzata Trojans to its first State Championship game with a 28-24 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall. As a captain of that team, James was also named Minnesota Defensive Mr. Football in 2004. His senior season included 193 tackles including 28 for loss and 5 sacks. James was also a hockey captain 2004-05 where he was projected as a 1st/2nd hockey draft pick if not for pursuing football after high school.
As a true freshman in 2005 at Ohio State, he played in all 12 games. At the end of the 2006 regular season, Laurinaitis led the team in tackles (115) and interceptions (5), and also had 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
In 2006 Laurinaitis won the Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player, and was also named a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award for most outstanding college linebacker in 2007. He was also recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American in 2007. He was honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2008, he was named one of four finalists for the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award and the winner of the Lott Trophy for The Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year and the recipient of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive year. He was also a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defender and one of five defensive players among fifteen finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. He started all thirteen games, becoming the fourth player in school history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career, as he ranked second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with an average of 10.0 tackles per game. He recorded a career-high 130 tackles (52 solos) that included four sacks, seven stops for losses and one quarterback pressure, caused a fumble, deflected four passes and picked off two others. Laurinaitis is the only player to ever win two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards (in both coaches and media). Was the 35th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft taken by the St Louis Rams where he played 2009-2015. James is the all time Rams career tackling leader with 655 tackles. James finished his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2016.
When it came to the sport of wrestling, a young sixth grader named Ken Leuer probably didn't have much of a choice but to be a part of it. He followed the example of his older brother and cousins in Wayzata, Minnesota. And by the time he himself was a senior in high school, he had established himself as one of the all-time great wrestlers in the state winning back-to-back state titles in 1951 and 1952. In the fall of 1952, he went on to the University of Iowa for a successful career as a two-time All-American with an NCAA championship title in 1956.
While at Iowa, he enrolled in the ROTC program earning a Commissioned Officer position. He started his active duty upon graduation, launching a meritorious 32 year military career. Leuer was hand-picked by the Army Chief of Staff and given the charter for the formation of the modern Ranger Battalions. Training was the Rangers top focus and Leuer instilled two values into the elite force; standards and discipline. Leuer started, selected and trained 680 men that are considered the pinnacle of highly trained and specialized troops in the world.
His many awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with two Oak-Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and a Silver Star. He was a charter inductee into the Ranger Hall of Fame and has been awarded the prestigious Order of Saint Maurice, Primicerius Level. He retired from the military in 1988, and assumed the position of President and CEO of Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit organization that specializes in rehabilitation for the disabled and disadvantaged.
A former Commander of the Rangers Commander of Fort Benning, Georgia Ranger Hall of Fame Charter Inductee Order of Saint Maurice, Primicerius Level 32-Year Military Career;
Major General Leuer credits his successful career not only to the support of his family, but also to the great lessons of discipline and physical/mental preparation that were learned during his many years on the wrestling mat that started in Wayzata.
Jaime (Sanger) Cupit discovered her passion for springboard diving in 7th grade when she joined the Wayzata High School Swimming and Diving Team. Initially a swimmer and a dedicated gymnast, she ultimately found her true calling in springboard and platform diving. Her transition from gymnastics was marked by overcoming a mental block. With the unwavering support of her parents, she embraced year-round training and competed at both national and international levels through the U.S. club diving circuit and gained National Team status.
In 1999, Jaime earned a Division I scholarship to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she became a standout member of the Lady Vols diving team. Her collegiate career was distinguished by her being a 4-time All-American, winning three consecutive SEC Titles on the 1-meter springboard, and securing a 2nd place team finish at the 2003 World University Games in Daegu, South Korea. She concluded her diving career after making finals on the 3-meter springboard at the 2004 Olympic Diving Trials in St Louis, Missouri.
During high school years, Jaime's exceptional talent and dedication were nurtured by her committed coach, Mike Zarns. Her achievements included being a 4-time State Diving Champion, holding the All-State Record in 1997, and maintaining the AA State Diving Record for an impressive 21 years until 2018. She earned her varsity letter for six consecutive years and was honored with the 1999 Athena Award for outstanding athletic performance. Academically, Jaime excelled, maintaining an 'A' honor roll status from 7th grade on and being selected for the National Honor Society.
On her undefeated high school career from 9th to 12th grade, Jaime reflected on her drive and excitement for competition, "Even in high school, I would thrive on the energy of the crowd and the pressure of finals and competing. It always got my adrenaline going. I was more scared about the smaller meets because I was doing it for my team and my school. In the championship meets, you're kind of just diving for yourself.”
After retiring from competitive diving, Jaime shifted her focus to coaching club and high school diving and personal training. In 2013, she achieved a new milestone by earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Jaime is deeply honored to be inducted into Wayzata's Hall of Fame, cherishing the successful and joyful high school career that laid the foundation for her Olympic dreams. She attributes her accomplishments to God, as well as the love, support, and faith instilled in her by her parents, her teammates, friends, and coaches, whose encouragement and guidance shaped her into the person she is today.
She aspires to help people prevent injuries, recover more quickly, and enhance their function and performance, all while building a strong foundation for long-term health and longevity. Though she never made the Olympics, her future goal is to integrate her passions for physical therapy, fitness, and coaching with her love for sports, potentially in an Olympic capacity.
Ward Schuster was raised in Marshall, where he played football, basketball, baseball, and track at Marshall Central Catholic High School. He credits coach Tom Warner for guiding him and teaching him the importance of being part of a group. After high school, he attended Notre Dame, where he ran track. He later transferred to Carleton College, where he ran track and played football before graduating with a major in Economics and a teaching license. He began his teaching and coaching career at Hill High School (now Hill-Murray), Carlton College and Cretin High School (now Cretin-Derham Hall) where he taught history and economics and coached football, track, cross country, and hockey.
In the fall of 1968, Ward began his 30+ years at Wayzata. In his first year there, he started the boy's cross country running program and coached junior high track. In his second year at Wayzata, he was named the head boys' track coach and became a member of the football coaching staff. In 1970, in his first season as head T & F Coach, Wayzata had its first individual champion in 28 years. In 1972, only his third season, Wayzata won the Lake Conference Championship in Track & Field for the first time ever. In 1973, the Trojans won their first Regional/Sectional title and in 1977, they won their first of three State Championships. Under his guidance, Wayzata's Track and Field Teams won five Region 6 titles and numerous Lake Conference championships. Ward retired as Track & Field Coach in 1984, but continued to teach and coach Football until his retirement in 2000.
Ward enjoyed his time in the classroom teaching History and Economics. His passion for history made his classes fun and engaging. He stresses how lucky he was to be surrounded by amazing teachers and some of the best coaches out there, and he credits them for his success both in the classroom and on the track and football field. This band of coaches stuck together to build up their athletic programs and give Wayzata the strong reputation that continues to this day. After retirement, Ward continued to support Wayzata athletics by scouting during the football season and working track meets in the spring.
When asked what his fondest moments of his time at Wayzata are, he says, “I was so lucky to be part of Wayzata’s history and have the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing coaches and athletes. Years later, I have been touched by former athletes, coworkers, students, and parents who have reached out to me and shared past memories. It is humbling to think that they credit me for some of their success, but more importantly, I need them to know how proud I am to have been able to be a part of their lives.”
Mike Siskin transferred to Wayzata high school in 1975 as a sophomore, where he met lifelong best friends and learned valuable life lessons on the football field, in the gym, and on the track.
Football was natural given Mike’s fast, strong, and a hard-hitting style. Mike lettered as a junior and senior, and during his senior year was Wayzata’s MVP, leading the Lake Conference in rushing, and receiving all-conference, and all-state accolades. Mike played both ways as a halfback and free safety.
Mike fondly remembers Wayzata’s then first year and legendary football coach Roger Lipelt spending time with him and co-captain Tim Langfitt at his home with his lovely family, stressing the importance of giving back to society, and living with honesty and dignity.
Mike was a two-year basketball letterman, yet Track and Field was where Mike excelled as a record setting hurdler, quarter miler, and All-American. As a sophomore Mike surprised the field earning second at the state meet in the Low Hurdles. As a junior, Mike won the High Hurdles, set an All-time state meet High Hurdle record, placed second in the Low Hurdles again, and anchored the Mile Relay team, leading Wayzata to it’s first ever State Track and Field Championship in 1977. As a senior, Mike repeated as the state High Hurdle champion, won the 300 meter Intermediate Hurdles with a state meet All-time record, and anchored the Mile Relay team to second place as Wayzata came up just short finishing runner up at the state meet.
While much of Mike’s track success may be attributed to head coach Ward Schuster, the hurdle technique, mental preparation, strength, and endurance were the result of hurdle coach Marc Terrass’ training regime, not to mention his gut-busting funny stories. Marc coached Dave Gaiter to the state hurdle championship before Mike, and John Ritter, Mike’s three-year hurdling teammate, to a second-place finish to Mike in the state meet in 1978.
As Minnesota’s top Jewish athlete, Mike received the Mercury Club Award in 1978, the longest running Jewish Scholar/ Athlete award in the country.
Mike received a Track and Field scholarship from the University of Florida and also played rugby for the Gators. He earned a BS in Business Administration, and later an MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Mike and his wife Vicki have a beautiful daughter Isabella and a dog named Rugby. Mike has excelled in business with Fortune 500 companies as well as in real estate. He has been involved with a variety of charitable organizations, most notably Big Brothers, Union Gospel Mission, Homes Within Reach, Saint Matthew's House, CUFI, and the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest.
Mike’s values and character were shaped by his family, friends, teachers, and teammates, but being a champion demanded a visualization of and a commitment to concrete goals. In sports and in life, Mike would push himself to his limit, but he had the ability to draw upon an internal, personal fire to push even farther, and achieve his purpose.
It is truly an honor to be included in this inaugural Wayzata Athletic Hall of Fame. I am humbled to be among such outstanding inductees. I served as the Wayzata Dance Team Coach for 44 years beginning in 1975 and retiring in 2019. When I began coaching the “Chorus Line” as it was called at that time, was simply a performance group primarily performing at football and basketball half times. Over the years, the group evolved, and its name changed first to Dance Line and finally to Dance Team. The evolution moved the team from a performance group to an exclusively competitive team which signified that dance was considered an athletic sport.
In the early years, there was no statewide umbrella organization. So in 1980, along with other dance team coaches, I co-founded the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams, serving on the Board of Directors for over 30 years. The goal of this Association was to standardize the judging criteria, organize a slate of competitions, implement a State Tournament and educate coaches and student athletes. In 1996, I was instrumental in facilitating the transition of Dance Team to be included in the Minnesota State High School League as an Athletic Activity. I was one of the authors of the first MSHSL Dance Team rules book and served on the MSHSL Dance Team Advisory Board for many years.
As coach of the Wayzata Dance Team, we won our first Dance Team State Tournament in 1978, and in future years, we won a total of 13 State Tournaments. The Wayzata Dance Team has consistently been ranked in the top five teams in the state of Minnesota winning the Conference Championships 21 times and Section Championships 16 times.
Reflecting on my coaching career, what I treasure most were the relationships with my athletes. I created a culture of excellence and team unity. Working together was the key to our success, and I promoted an atmosphere that encouraged every team member to support fellow teammates to be the best they could be.
I served as the Dance Team Coordinator for the NFL SuperBowls in 1991 and 2018. I was named Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams four times. I have been inducted into the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams Hall of Fame, the Just for Kix Hall of Fame and the National Dance Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In addition to my coaching career at Wayzata High School, I taught Biology for 38 years - specifically Advanced Placement Biology, Human Anatomy and Zoology.and the Science Department Chair for 20 years. In addition, I served 18 years as the Advisor for the National Honor Society.. I was awarded the Esteemed Teacher Award 8 times and was selected as the Career Teacher of the Year by the Wayzata Education Association in 2005.
