Marquette MI, – August 18th, 2025 – Last week, we covered Burt Angeli and Andy Crouch, two members of the 2026 U.P. Sports Hall of Fame inductee class. Today, we’ll preview Stephanie Lovell, David Miller, and Mark Simon.
Stephanie (Boyer) Lovell, a prominent athlete from Rapid River, made a name for herself during the 1990s. She claimed the title in the 200-meter dash at the 2000 MSHAA Upper Peninsula Finals with a time of 27.21 seconds. In addition, she finished second in the long jump that same year. The following year, Lovell etched her name in history by setting the 200-meter dash record with a finish of 26.65 seconds and achieving a long jump of 16 feet, also a record at the time. Beyond track, Lovell was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in volleyball and basketball.
David Miller coached the Detour girls’ basketball team, which became a Class D powerhouse during the 1980s. Under Miller’s leadership, the team made multiple appearances in quarterfinal and semifinal games. The highlight of his career came in 1983 when he led the Detour girls to the Class D State Finals, where they defeated Mendon, ending Mendon’s 25-game winning streak. The team was recognized in 2013 during a celebration of their successful 30-year history.
Mark Simon, a former Wildcat basketball player and a member of the NMU Sports Hall of Fame, had the opportunity to play for a state title in 1983. He led his Stephenson Eagles to a victory over Three Oaks River Valley, with a final score of 64-48. The Eagles achieved an impressive 25-game winning streak during that season. During his time at NMU, Simon scored 1,078 points, was the free-throw leader in 1983, and served as a co-captain on the 1986 team.
