Fred Lonsdorf - Class of 2019

(Houghton)

Regarded as the "driving force behind all that went on at Mont Ripley," Fred Lonsdorf breathed life into skiing at Michigan Tech University and the area. He was dedicated to alpine skiing but also laid the groundwork for men's and women's cross country skiing at MTU. He was the varsity ski coach, manager and physical education instructor at Mont Ripley, teaching more than 4,000 students from 1947-1979. He also coached three national team and Olympic skiers. He is a member of MTU's Sports Hall of Fame and served in the Army's legendary 10th Mountain Division in WW II.