Catherine Bousson Hill, ’84
Championships were numerous during Catherine Bousson Hill’s swimming career at Albion.
After achieving All-MIAA status as a sophomore, Cathy was the league’s MVP the next year, winning league titles in the 100-yard butterfly, the 200-yard butterfly, the 400-yard individual medley, and the 500-yard freestyle, as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay. Her times in the 200 butterfly (2:17.2) and 400 IM (5:01.69) were MIAA records.
As a senior in 1984, Cathy continued her success at the conference level and advanced to the NCAA Division III national championship meet. During the regular season, she led the Britons with four individual first-place finishes in the league meet (100- and 200-yard butterfly and the 200- and 400-yard individual medley). At the NCAA championships, she placed 19th in the 200-yard butterfly with a school-record time of 2:15.67.
Cathy currently works as a staff nurse at the birthing center at St. John Hospital in the metro Detroit area. She and her husband, William, have two children, Ryan and Amanda.
Carol L. Hulett, ’74
Carol Hulett is a pioneer for women in the field of sports medicine. While Carol played field hockey (four years), basketball (four years), and volleyball (two years) at Albion, she is best known as the College’s first female athletic trainer.
After graduating magna cum laude from Albion in 1974, Carol received her M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1978. She began a private practice of orthopedic surgery in Clinton Township in 1983, and has been self-employed since 1990. She serves as the team physician for Mount Clemens High School.
In addition to her work in the medical field, Carol is a board member of the Girl Scouts in Macomb County and the founder of the Feral Cat Rescue Organization.
Steven G. John, ’86
A member of the Britons’ 1983 MIAA championship golf team, Steve John achieved All-MIAA status in 1983 and 1984 and was named the league’s MVP in 1984. The three-time letter winner was golf team captain in 1984 and qualified for the NCAA national championship that year. The honors have continued since college: in 1994, Steve was the MVP for the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am tournament.
After graduating from Albion, Steve moved to Santa Cruz, Calif. In August 1990, he became the youngest Chevrolet dealer ever appointed and then in November that same year became the youngest Honda dealer ever appointed.
Since then, Steve and his Ocean Honda Chevrolet dealership have contributed many hours and dollars to benefit civic, charitable, scholastic, and sports organizations in Santa Cruz County.
He currently serves on numerous boards for business and educational organizations. A member of the California State University at Monterey Bay golf committee, Steve also serves as a course ranking panelist for Golf Digest.
Steve and his wife, Lesa, are the parents of two children, Alexa and Kyle.
Martha Proctor Kreucher, ’87
After spending her freshman year at Florida State University, Martha Proctor Kreucher transferred to Albion and discovered the advantages of Division III academics and athletics.
During her Briton swimming career, Missy was named the MIAA’s MVP in 1985, the same season she set Albion College and conference records and claimed MIAA individual championships in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and the 100- and 200-yard backstroke. Her 100-yard freestyle record still stands.
Missy won MIAA individual titles in the same four events again in 1987 and was named league MVP a second time. She was an NCAA Division III national qualifier in 1985 (five events) and 1987 (three events).
In addition to her education at Albion, Missy received her J.D. from the Detroit College of Law in 1991. She was an attorney with Keller, Thoma, Schwarze, Schwarze, Dubay, and Katz until 1999.
Missy and her husband, Brian, have two children, Jordyn and Kylie.
Kirk W. Leighton, ’67
Kirk Leighton was a four-year letter winner in men’s tennis at Albion. He was named the Britons’ most improved player in 1965 and served as captain in 1967.
After graduating from Albion with a degree in economics and history, Kirk continued his education with a master’s degree from the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business. He has been employed by National Bank of Detroit, Vlasic Foods, and Campbell Soup Co. For the past 10 years, Kirk has run his own consulting firm, Kirk Leighton & Associates.
Kirk has enjoyed success on the tennis court since graduation, as well. He has won various tournaments and advanced to the finals of the U.S. senior men’s nationals three times. He played a key role in the Briton Athletic Drive, which raised funds for the building of the Ungrodt Tennis Center and the installation of six new outdoor tennis courts.
Kirk is the father of three children, Mark, Amanda, and Corey.
James C. Papenfus, ’63
A two-sport athlete at Albion, James Papenfus earned seven varsity letters in all (four in baseball and three in basketball) and served as co-captain of both teams. Jim achieved All-MIAA status in baseball in 1962 and 1963.
After graduating from Albion, Jim entered the work force as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator. He started his career in the Burton Atherton Schools in 1963, and he moved on to the Tawas Schools in 1968.
In 1995, Jim left the education field to pursue ownership in Jim Papenfus Builders.
When he’s not working, Jim is involved with the Tawas Area Elks and the Tawas Bay Yacht Club.
Robert L. Porritt, ’64
Robert Porritt was a two-sport athlete at Albion, winning four letters in baseball and three in football. Bob, who was a member of the 1961 football team that won the MIAA championship, earned all-league honors at free safety for three years. He served as co-captain of the baseball team in 1964.
In addition to his education at Albion, Bob received a master’s degree from Michigan State University in 1969.
Bob completed 30 years as a high school coach. He was the head football coach at Okemos High School for 10 years, and also coached track, junior varsity basketball, and freshman baseball at various times during his career at Okemos.
Bob and his wife, Ruthann, are the parents of two daughters, Amy Rackley and Sarah Wilson, and one son, Rob. They have nine grandchildren.
William J. Smith, ’35
As the 1934 Pleiad proclaimed, “There is little rest for such all-around athletes as Bill Smith. No sooner is his football uniform in the mothballs than he dons his basketball suit and starts practice. The basketball season just ends in time for him to get his track suit out of cold storage.”
Bill led the Briton basketball team in scoring during his three varsity seasons and gained All-MIAA honors as a senior. He was a versatile three-time letter winner in track while competing in the shot put, discus, high jump, pole vault, and long jump. Unable to compete in organized football until his senior year of college, Bill made the most of his only season by earning All-MIAA honors as a triple threat halfback.
For several years following graduation, Bill taught and coached in the Hanover, Ionia, and Ann Arbor schools. In 1941 he opted for a YMCA career that spanned 36 years of service with the Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Lafayette, Ind., chapters.
Bill remained connected to Albion College by becoming his class representative and serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He received the Albion College Distinguished Alumni Award in 1978. Bill passed away in 1985.
He was married to Mary Elizabeth Smith, and they had three sons, Richard, ’60, Phillip, and Bill, ’67.
Dale V. Springer, ’62
Dale Springer was a co-captain for the 1961 Briton football team that claimed the MIAA championship. He played at both offensive guard and defensive linebacker. The four-year letter winner achieved second-team All-MIAA status during his Briton career.
After graduating from Albion, Dale went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Chicago School of Law in 1965, and an LL.M. from the New York University School of Law in 1972.
Dale began his legal career with a private practice on Wall Street in New York City in 1965 and then served as an attorney for the city’s Human Resources Administration and the Abuse and Neglect Unit of the New York City Department of Social Services. Since 1975, Dale has served as an administrative law judge with the Michigan Family Independence Agency.
Dale has remained involved with Albion College as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Morley Fraser Scholarship Committee, and the Class of 1962 Reunion Committee.
Dale and his wife, Dawn Springer, ’61, have a daughter, Merrill.
Teams
1939 Football Team
Albion College won the 1928 MIAA football crown with the first of six undefeated football teams in school history, but that title was followed by an 11-year drought, the longest period without a football championship for the Britons.
Albion began dominating the MIAA again in 1939. Under the leadership of Dale Sprankle, the Britons would go unbeaten in league play in 1939 and again in 1940.
Albion opened with a loss to Mount Union (Ohio) College, but then proceeded to hold all opponents scoreless until a season-ending 6-3 win over Hillsdale.
Walter Ptak achieved first-team All-MIAA status.
Other team members included: Ed Alsip, Barry Beach, Steve Beban, Fred Cook, William Dodds, Al Federico, Robert Fles, Homer Frazier, Robert Frey, Robert Grimes, Robert Grossman, Robert Hart, Robert Hayhoe, Joe Hill, Fred Krueger, Ed Lindow, Willis Long, Dave Luxenberg, Don Nelson, Albert Nichols, Carl Renda, John Rybock, Maurice Trimble, Charles VanderLinde, Harvey Zens, and Emil Zvonik. The team manager was Jack Garlinghouse.
1940 Football Team
The Albion College football program continued its winning ways in 1940. Coach Dale Sprankle led the Britons through MIAA play undefeated for the second consecutive season.
The Britons held four opponents scoreless, including back-to-back shutouts of Hope College and Alma College in the sixth and seventh games of the season.
Walter Ptak received first-team All-America honors, and Maurice Trimble and Charles VanderLinde were named first-team All-MIAA.
Other team members included: Ed Alsip, Pete Barkley, Barry Beach, Bill Dodds, Ben Duguid, Robert Fles, Robert Hart, Vic Hawkins, Willis Long, William Miller, Abbie Nichols, Carl Renda, John Rybock, Bill Sanford, Jim Schloss, Robert Simpson, Clare Stanford, Bruce Stevens, Charles Surland, Howard Thomas, Charles Tobias, and Eldred Toutant.
1991 Football Team
Led by the running of first-team All-American Hank Wineman and the coaching of Pete Schmidt, the 1991 Albion College football team won the MIAA championship with a 4-0-1 league record and advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
At tailback, Wineman enjoyed a record-breaking season as he set school marks for most rushing yards in a game (250 versus Lawrence), most rushing yards in a season (1,629), and most rushing attempts in a season (307).
In addition to Wineman, James DeBardelaben, Art Gray, Mike Juchno, Mike Montico, Tom Reason, Brad Smiles, and Gregg Vander Kooi, all received first-team All-MIAA recognition. Wineman was also league MVP on offense.
DeBardelaben, Gray, Smiles, Scott Tinson, Jeff Urbanski, Vander Kooi, and Wineman served as captains for the team.
Montico would go on to become an NCAA Postgraduate Scholar in 1994.
Other team members for the Britons included: Eric Allore, Brian Barden, Eric Baxmann, Adam Baylerian, James Beke, Jamie Billo, Jeff Blaskiewicz, John Brannan, Eric Breitenbeck, Jeff Brooks, Brad Brown, Gordon Cady, Scott Casteele, Tom Cavanaugh, Adam Chittle, Dave Christiani, Brian Coon, Gabriel Cooper, Cevin Cornish, Craig Crandell, Rob Dancer, Jim Davis, Ron Dawson, Shawn DeYoung, Vern Elliott, Tony Farina, Derek Finley, Steve Gilbert, Scott Hassle, Eric Hayhurst, Jim Heaslip, Guy Hengesbach, Martin Heyboer, Paul Hill, Patrick Holser, Torrell Humphries, Dave Hunt, Ryan Irish, Mike Johnson, Leander Jones, Jason Kemler, John King, Dominic Kiomento, Kristov Knobloch, Jamie Little, Joe Loeschner, Dan Martin, Derek Mazur, Erick Mazur, Marc McDonald, Scott Merchant, Edward Merrill, Greg Michaels, Bob Moleski, Adam Morris, Todd Morris, Cameron Mueller, Joe Mullen, Paul Nagy, Don Necas, Cameron Pangborn, Greg Pellegrom, Mike Pente, Vince Perroud, Raleigh Pioch, Dan Platte, Matt Rankin, Derek Reed, Justin Rewa, Mark Roberts, Jeff Robinson, Zac Rusk, Dan Schmidt, Todd Sebold, Durand Sheperd, Jeff Shooks, Sean Sims, Ron Smith, Mike Spaccaroteela, Jeff Stacho, Scott Tinson, Paul Tippin, Robert Toole, John Volmering, Randy Walls, Martin Wilder, Adam Wilinsky, and Brian Zezula.