Hall of Fame
Mike Lagina, a resident of Gladstone, Michigan, was inducted into the Northland College Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 20 for his outstanding career on the College's football team. During his four years on the team, Lagina earned a number of honors, including lettering 4 times between 1969 and 1973 (he missed the 1972 season due to a knee injury). Affectionately known to his teammates as "Stumpy," he was named Wisconsin Independent College Association All-Conference 1969, 1971, and 1973, Best Blocker 1969, Best Tackler 1971, and served as co-captain of the 1973 team, thought by many to be one of Northland's finest teams. During his time at the College, Lagina was considered by both teammates and coaches to be the most dominating, skilled, and dedicated football player at Northland.
After graduating from Northland in 1974, he went on to become an award winning elementary and middle school teacher in science and social science. Lagina has received the Teacher Making a Difference Award in 2000 and the Outstanding Person in Education Award in 2005. He currently teaches at Gladstone Middle School. Lagina has been active in coaching at the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity levels for a number of years. He is a union activist, as the President of his local teachers union, union representative to the Michigan assembly, and a member of the union's negotiating team. He is also a board member fo the Michigan Education Special Services Association. Lagina remains active in his church, and enjoys bicycling, hunting, and camping with his family.
