Marquette MI, – August 20th, 2025 – Gary Sparpana began ski jumping at the age of eight, earning third place at a competition in Channing, MI. He initially joined the Viking and Red Wings ski clubs before switching to the Kiwanis ski club in 1964. Sparpana excelled in the Pine Mountain junior class, finishing at the top of his group. During the 1967-68 season, he joined the U.S. National Team.
After his time with the national team, he served in Vietnam, fighting for his country from 1969 to 1971. Upon completing his military service, Sparpana became a judge for national competitions, a role he held for 29 years. Throughout his judging career, he traveled the world, officiating at events in eight different countries, including sixty-nine continental cups, seven world championships, seven ski flying competitions, and ten national championships.
Lori Juntila Rupert became a standout basketball player at Westwood High School, which led to an opportunity to continue her playing career at Northern Michigan University. She played four years of college basketball, making history as the first female scorer to reach 1,000 points in the program. In 2008, Rupert was also inducted into the Northern Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
After her time at Northern Michigan University, Rupert moved to Oklahoma, where she established a league for women over the age of fifty. The average age of the players is 60, with the oldest participant being 80 years old. This league, known as “Granny Ball,” is designed for women to engage in a gentle game of basketball and reignite their passion for the sport. The league has specific rules, including a limit of two dribbles per possession before a player must decide to shoot or pass. Additionally, running and jumping are considered turnovers. If a player falls, it is referred to as “Granny Down,” and that player must temporarily leave the game.
