Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award
WILLIAM R. O'TOOLE, SP '79
Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
By Bill’s senior year at Marquette, he had been awarded one of its first soccer scholarships — not bad, considering he didn’t even know there was a soccer team when he arrived on campus from St. Louis. Today, Bill is president and CEO of Catholic Financial Life, the largest and oldest-serving Catholic fraternal organization in the U.S.
Lifetime Achievement Award
GEORGE R. THOMPSON, III, SP '69
Glendale, Wis.
One of the best players in Marquette basketball history, George played for the men’s basketball team from 1966–69, was its leading scorer in two seasons and a captain for one season. His jersey has been retired, and he was inducted into the Marquette Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. After a successful pro career, George joined Briggs & Stratton and became the company’s vice president of corporate communications before recently retiring.
Friend of Marquette Athletics Award
STEVEN R. MICHELS, SP '87
Seattle
A managing partner in his family’s utility construction firm, Steven also leads a startup company developing technology to monitor temperatures of perishable goods in real time during transportation. A Marquette basketball season ticket holder since 2001, Steven has been a strong supporter of the Department of Athletics and played a critical role in construction of the Al McGuire Center.
Young Alumnus of the Year Award
TIMOTHY M. KUMMER, NURS '07
Minneapolis
A stint as the Golden Eagle mascot was just one highlight of Timothy’s time at Marquette, which included winning a national award for humanitarianism recognizing his work on HIV/AIDS in Kenya. After volunteering in Tanzania, he now works at the Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Center and Hennepin County Adult Detention Center.
M Club Hy Popuch Memorial Service Award
TERENCE P. CAHILL, ARTS '68, LAW '72
Oconomowoc, Wis.
A former Marquette tennis player, Terry was president of the M Club for two terms and today serves on its board of directors. He played an instrumental role in leading the alumni group through strategic planning and rewriting its bylaws. An attorney with Schober Schober & Mitchell, S.C. in Oconomowoc, Wis., Terry also helps coach the Oconomowoc High School girls’ and boys’ tennis teams.
