Marquette, Mi – July 10th, 2025 – Northern Michigan University announced its newest inductees into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame. This year’s class includes former athletes, coaches, and contributors who made a lasting impact on NMU athletics.
Jennie Barlage, who was a member of the NMU volleyball team. In her time at NMU, Barlage never missed a match or set as she played in 149 matches and 495 sets throughout her four years at NMU. In addition, Barlage is a two-time Division II National Champion (1993 and 1994). Barlage is one of only seven NMU players to achieve 1000-plus career kills and digs.
Dean Ellis, NMU’s most winning men’s basketball coach in his time, with a record of 369 – 303 over 24 seasons (1986 – 2010). As a result, he led NMU to a GLIAC regular season title in 1993 (22-8), earning GLIAC coach of the year. In addition, in 2000, he was able to win a GLIAC tournament title with a record of 24-6, the school’s second-best winning total. He directed NMU to three NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing twice.
Renee LeBlanc, will become the first-ever women’s soccer player inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame. In her time at NMU, LeBlanc was able to set many records: Career goals (44), points (99), game-winning goals (15), single season goals (16). and points with (37). With those records, LeBlanc was selected for the All GLIAC Second Team in 2006 and 2007.
Troy Mattson has spent most of his life involved in NMU athletics. Most will recognize him as the men’s and women’s basketball coach, some may recognize him as the 1,000 point scorer, while others may know him as a tennis coach. He first started with NMU back in 1982 as a player. In his three years (1982- 1985) at NMU, he joined a very exclusive list of players to score 1,000 points.
After his playing career, Mattson couldn’t give up basketball, so he started his coaching career in 1988 with the men’s basketball team, where he would coach for 17 years before switching to women’s basketball in 2005. While he was coaching men’s basketball, he also decided to start coaching tennis in 1994. Mattson won GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2002, and Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2002. Mattson would coach tennis for nine years. He finished his 17-year women’s basketball coaching career with a 240 – 231 record.
Berndt Rognstad is an outstanding dual athlete in Nordic Skiing and Football. He made the NCAA D-II Championship three times, placing 3rd in 1973, 2nd in 1974, and 5th in 1975. On the field, he was a kicking specialist, going perfect on point after attempts 18 – 18, and was also a member of the 1975 national championship team. Signed to play with the Atlanta Falcons but tragically passed away in a car accident in 1976.
Lastly, getting inducted is the 1990 – 91 and 1991 – 92 women’s swim and dive team. Head coach Anne Goodman James, who was the CSCAA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year and GLIAC Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992. The 1990 – 91 team finished third at the NCAA Division II National Championships. The following year, the 1991 – 92 team finished one spot ahead, taking second. Both teams combined for 16 NCAA titles, nine in 1991 and seven in 1992. Kirsten Silvester, who in her time at NMU became a four-time National Champion, became the first Division II swimmer to win four titles in a single season.
You can catch the induction ceremony on Friday, September 19, 2025, following the homecoming parade in Marquette, MI. There will also be recognition during halftime of the football game against Davenport on Saturday, September 20, at 1 p.m.
