Franti inducted into U.P. Sports Hall of Fame

HARRIS — The induction class of the 44th annual U.P. Sports Hall of Fame banquet were as strong as any in recent history. From outstanding coaches, to state champions and pro athletes from across generations, the 10 inductees were stars of their respective eras.

Yet, if there was a theme for the evening, it would be humility.

The graciousness of the inductees and the humble speeches they gave made a statement in and of itself, Saturday evening at the Island Resort and Casino.

Dick Franti of Ontonagon has over 500 victories on the basketball court, a career record of 514-232. When considering his record coaching girls and boys basketball combined, that number elevates to 759 victories, among the highest in state history.

Of his 33 girls basketball teams at Bergland and Ontonagon, only two did not post winning seasons. Yet, for all of Franti's accomplishments, he took credit for none of it.

In a humble speech, Franti said "It's not my accomplishment. It's the kids who did their best, and that's the only reason why I'm here today.

"My athletic talent, being 5-foot-7 and way too heavy, that wasn't going to get it done."

Carly (Benson) Harrington is the leading all time scorer at Carney-Nadeau and was part of the Wolves' 2001 Class D state title winning team. At Michigan, she was a 1,000 point scorer, and set a school record with 192 three point field goals in 2008-09. During her speech, Benson noted that if not for her mother, and friend (fellow inductee) Krista Clement, she may never have ended up at Michigan.

"When we first got there, I said to my mom, 'I don't like it here and I'm not going to school here'" she said to laughs from the large gathering of her supporters. The rest is history.

Krista Clement was the first person in Upper Peninsula history to be named Miss Basketball.

She is the all-time leading scorer at St. Ignace with 2,060 points, and was part of the Saints' Class C state title winning team in 2000. Her career record at St. Ignace is 99-5. At Michigan, she was a four-year captain for the Wolverines, and is one of only two U-M athletes with that distinction.

Clement played a big role in getting Benson to attend Michigan.

"I first saw Carly play as an eighth grader. She made a reverse layup and I said 'that's going to be my teammate one day," said Clement. "I had to convince Carly that Ann Arbor was exactly the same as Carney," she said to laughs.

Iron Mountain's Paul Feldhausen was a two-time captain of the football team at Northland College, and was drafted in the 11th round by the NFL's Boston Patriots in 1968 in the first common AFL-NFL draft. He played three seasons before a back injury derailed his career.

Jack Hooper of Iron Mountain had a career that spanned over 60 years. An accomplished ski jumper, Hooper won the Class B national ski jump championship in 1955. After a back injury ended his Olympic hopes, Hooper switched to golf and won the UPGA title in 1988. He also won 17 club title at Iron Mountain Pine Grove Country Club, and won the Dickinson County championship 23 times.

Becky Iverson of Gladstone was a 14-year member of the LPGA, where has earned $1,556,622 over her career. She finished second at the British Open, and sixth in the LPGA Championship. Also among her long list of golf achievements, Iverson played for the U.S. team in the Solheim Cup in 2000.

Perhaps the most decorated inductee of the group is the late Hugh "Muzz" Murray of Sault Ste. Marie, who was represented by his friend Roger Godin. Murray is largely regarded as one of the top four American hockey players pre-1925.

He was only the second American hockey player to participate in the Stanley Cup Finals, having played for the Seattle Metropolitans in 1919. The Final was cancelled that year after a 2-2-1 tied series, due to the world-wide influenza epidemic.

"He is a towering figure in American hockey," Godin said, twice for emphasis. Godin, who worked for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League where he operates the State of Minnesota Hockey Tribute, mentioned a graphic that is on display there indicating the four American hockey players pre-1925. Murray is among them.

The late Don "Mitt" Miller of Houghton was represented by his wife Marge. Miller had a record of 378-260-23 while coaching the Houghton Gremlins, where he won the state championship in 1982.

Wayne Sickler of Calumet was an outstanding athlete and coach. While playing football at NMU, he made the Associated Press NAIA All-Star football team in 1960 and 1961.

He was the state's top scorer with 70 points in 1961, and set two school records. He coached for 12 seasons at Munising and Calumet, and was named U.P. Coach of the Year in 1966. He also twice won U.P. Athletic Director of the year awards while he was the AD at Calumet.

Steve Swanson of National Mine is the only alum from his hometown to play an NCAA Division I sport. He pitched for Central Michigan University for three seasons before getting sidelined by a rotator cuff injury as a senior. He was 3-3-1 during an injury-riddled CMU career.

Prior to that, Swanson was as dominant a pitcher as the Upper Peninsula has ever seen. He threw seven no-hitters and two perfect games, one of which he struck out all 27 batters, with only three foul balls.

"A funny story," Swanson said looking at Carly Benson, "Those three foul balls were all hit by your dad, Ed."