Football, Wrestling, Swimming, Track, Volleyball, Boxing and Field Hockey represented
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University Department of Athletics proudly announces the newest inductees to the NMU Sports Hall of Fame. The 2026 class includes Bernie Anderson (wrestling/football/coach), Rachel Helm (swim & dive), Shayla Manitowabi-Huebner (track & field), Kirsten (Silvester) Namesnik (swim & dive), Al Mitchell (boxing/coach), Mark Rosen (volleyball/coach), and the 1979 women’s field hockey team.
A ceremony to honor the inductees will be held on Friday, September 18. The inductees will also be recognized during halftime of the Homecoming football game on Saturday, September 19.
Bernie Anderson
Wrestling | Class of 1978 | Football | Head Coach
A four-time NCAA Division II national qualifier from 1975-78, Anderson cemented himself as one of the top wrestlers in program history. He earned All-America honors in 1976 with a fifth-place finish and ranks ninth all-time at NMU with 78 career victories. A four-time letterwinner, his consistency and success helped lay the foundation for future Wildcat wrestlers.
Following his collegiate career, Anderson transitioned into coaching, including serving as head football coach at NMU from 2006-11. Prior to that, he built a historic tenure at Michigan Tech from 1987-2005, becoming the program’s all-time wins leader with 93 victories. He led them to a GLIAC Championship and their first-ever playoff appearance and was named GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2004.
Rachel Helm
Swim & Dive | Class of 2020
Helm stands among the most accomplished swimmers in recent program history, highlighted by NCAA national championships in the 100 backstroke (2017) and 200 backstroke (2018). A four-time All-American, she also dominated the conference level with 15 GLIAC titles across individual and relay events.
A two-time GLIAC Swimmer of the Year and record holder, Helm was named NMU Athlete of the Year in 2020. At the time of her induction, she holds five school records, solidifying her legacy as one of Northern’s elite swimmers.
Shayla Manitowabi-Huebner
Track & Field | Class of 2019
A three-time All-American in the 800 meters, Manitowabi-Huebner capped her career with a sixth-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships, posting a time of 2:09.73. Her versatility extended across multiple events, earning six All-Region selections and 10 All-GLIAC honors.
A two-time GLIAC Commissioner’s Award recipient, Manitowabi-Huebner also competed in cross country while at NMU. At the time of her induction, she holds seven school records.
Kirsten (Silvester) Namesnik
Swim & Dive | 1989-91
One of the most decorated swimmers in NCAA Division II history, Silvester captured eight national championships during her time at NMU and was named NCAA Division II Swimmer of the Year in both 1990 and 1991. She holds the Division II record for most individual wins at a single championship, claiming four titles in both 1991 and 1992.
Dominant in both freestyle and butterfly events, Silvester set multiple school records and claimed numerous GLIAC titles across six events. At the time of her induction, she still holds four NMU records in the 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle. In 2021, she was recognized as one of the top 100 swimmers in college swimming history by the CSCAA.
Al Mitchell
Boxing | Coach
A legendary figure in amateur boxing, Mitchell built a career defined by excellence on the national and international stage. He served as head coach of the 1996 U.S. Olympic boxing team, guiding the squad to one gold medal and six bronze medals, and was named USA Boxing Coach of the Year in 1994.
Mitchell was a longtime coach at the U.S. Olympic Education Center from 1989-2012 and also served as a technical advisor for U.S. Olympic teams in 2004 and 2012. His influence extended to working with elite fighters such as Vernon Forrest, Larry Nicholson, David Reid, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Mayweather, while mentoring more than 800 national champions.
He was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2019 and the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Mark Rosen
Volleyball | Head Coach
Rosen led Northern Michigan to the pinnacle of Division II volleyball, guiding the Wildcats to the 1994 national championship while earning National Coach of the Year honors. During his four seasons at NMU, he compiled a remarkable 134-16 record, winning a GLIAC title each year and establishing one of the most dominant stretches in program history.
A three-time Regional and GLIAC Coach of the Year, Rosen went on to build a historic career at the University of Michigan, where he became the winningest coach in program history. He led the Wolverines to 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national semifinal run in 2012.
1979 Women’s Field Hockey Team
The 1979 squad authored one of the most impressive seasons in program history, finishing with a 21-6-1 record and capturing the Division II Midwest Regional Championship. The Wildcats proved their strength against top competition, defeating 13 of 15 Division I opponents.
Northern advanced to the AIAW National Championships, reaching the consolation quarterfinals in a narrow double-overtime loss to LaSalle. Coached by Barb Patrick, the first woman inducted into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame, the team was led offensively by Deniese Porath, who scored 30 goals, the most in a single season in program history.
