Posted 10:07 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014
This year’s Oktoberfest parade marshals have at least two things in common: they are UW-L graduates and they’ve had a great impact on La Crosse area youth.
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Mike Desmond, ’76 & ’87, left, is this year’s Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, while Scott Mihalovic, ’82, is the Torchlight Parade Marshal.[/caption]
This year’s Oktoberfest parade marshals have at least two things in common: they are UW-L graduates and they’ve had a great impact on La Crosse area youth.
Mike Desmond, ’76 & ’87, is this year’s Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, while Scott Mihalovic, ’82, is the Torchlight Parade Marshal. Both were unveiled at the Oktoberfest grounds during the parade marshal announcement event Wednesday, Sept. 17.
“These two have had a tremendous impact on youth in our community,” said Kevin Buelow, Oktoberfest president-elect, while introducing the duo.
Desmond, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, says he wasn’t expecting the honor. “I was surprised and shocked at first, and then realized what an honor it is to be one of the ambassadors of Oktoberfest and the City of La Crosse,” he said.
Desmond said he typically works in a parking lot along the parade route to raise funds for the club. This year he’ll be in the parade, but expects a welcome from his colleagues working the lot. “The parking lot crew will have something special planned for me, I’m sure,” he said.
A La Crosse native, Desmond has deep roots to La Crosse’s German celebration. He is the great-great-great grandson of Gottlieb and Johanna Heileman, founders of La Crosse’s famous brewery.
Desmond, 61, is a long-time teacher and coach at Aquinas High School, and worked as a basketball coach and development officer at UW-L, raising money to build Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. “Service to youth is my passion,” said Desmond. “I take pride in being an advocate for people who are vulnerable and my desire to help people — especially those who need it the most. That is what motivates me every day.”
Mihalovic has been an educator for 32 years, the last 16 as principal of La Crosse Logan High School. During 28 years at Logan, he marched in Maple Leaf and Torchlight parades with the band. “One of my fonder memories of the parades was marching alongside the Logan High School band for most of those 28 years,” he said. This year, he’ll ride in the parade.
With this year’s Torchlight Parade kicking off Oktoberfest after traditionally closing or landing near the end of the fest, Mihalovic expects this year to be special. “I couldn’t be happier to lead this first Torchlight Parade that kicks off the fest,” he said.
Also a La Crosse native, Mihalovic graduated from Central High School in 1977. During his many years as an educator at Logan, he coined the school’s phrase, “It’s a great day to be a Ranger.” He was named an “Honorary North Sider” following the second summer Ranger Rally, held annually by the Logan Alumni Association. “When they made me an honorary north sider, I thought how does it get any better than that,” he said. “And, now this.”
The marshal for the Torchlight Parade, which winds through the city’s north side, is bestowed upon a resident of La Crosse’s north side or someone who has greatly impacted the north side community.
Mihalovic, 55, retired as principal this summer and is currently managing the education leadership program at Viterbo University. He played baseball while on campus, and later coached baseball and basketball — a few times with Desmond on the other end of the court. More recently the two, working in buildings very close to each other, have collaborated to help north side youth.
“Our students (at Logan) are very special people,” Mihalovic said. “The most important part of what we do as an educator is helping them grow.”
Mihalovic teased the crowd as he was introduced that it was a great day to be a parade marshal. After making a few remarks and introducing his family, he gave a parting shot to his Logan family. “And remember, it’s always a great day to be a Ranger,” he said as he left the stage.
The Torchlight Parade winds through the city’s north side at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25; the Maple Leaf Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. See parade routes and more about the fest at: http://oktoberfestusa.com/.
Mike Desmond, ’76 & ’87, left, is this year’s Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, while Scott Mihalovic, ’82, is the Torchlight Parade Marshal.[/caption]
This year’s Oktoberfest parade marshals have at least two things in common: they are UW-L graduates and they’ve had a great impact on La Crosse area youth.
Mike Desmond, ’76 & ’87, is this year’s Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, while Scott Mihalovic, ’82, is the Torchlight Parade Marshal. Both were unveiled at the Oktoberfest grounds during the parade marshal announcement event Wednesday, Sept. 17.
“These two have had a tremendous impact on youth in our community,” said Kevin Buelow, Oktoberfest president-elect, while introducing the duo.
Desmond, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, says he wasn’t expecting the honor. “I was surprised and shocked at first, and then realized what an honor it is to be one of the ambassadors of Oktoberfest and the City of La Crosse,” he said.
Desmond said he typically works in a parking lot along the parade route to raise funds for the club. This year he’ll be in the parade, but expects a welcome from his colleagues working the lot. “The parking lot crew will have something special planned for me, I’m sure,” he said.
A La Crosse native, Desmond has deep roots to La Crosse’s German celebration. He is the great-great-great grandson of Gottlieb and Johanna Heileman, founders of La Crosse’s famous brewery.
Desmond, 61, is a long-time teacher and coach at Aquinas High School, and worked as a basketball coach and development officer at UW-L, raising money to build Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. “Service to youth is my passion,” said Desmond. “I take pride in being an advocate for people who are vulnerable and my desire to help people — especially those who need it the most. That is what motivates me every day.”
Mihalovic has been an educator for 32 years, the last 16 as principal of La Crosse Logan High School. During 28 years at Logan, he marched in Maple Leaf and Torchlight parades with the band. “One of my fonder memories of the parades was marching alongside the Logan High School band for most of those 28 years,” he said. This year, he’ll ride in the parade.
With this year’s Torchlight Parade kicking off Oktoberfest after traditionally closing or landing near the end of the fest, Mihalovic expects this year to be special. “I couldn’t be happier to lead this first Torchlight Parade that kicks off the fest,” he said.
Also a La Crosse native, Mihalovic graduated from Central High School in 1977. During his many years as an educator at Logan, he coined the school’s phrase, “It’s a great day to be a Ranger.” He was named an “Honorary North Sider” following the second summer Ranger Rally, held annually by the Logan Alumni Association. “When they made me an honorary north sider, I thought how does it get any better than that,” he said. “And, now this.”
The marshal for the Torchlight Parade, which winds through the city’s north side, is bestowed upon a resident of La Crosse’s north side or someone who has greatly impacted the north side community.
Mihalovic, 55, retired as principal this summer and is currently managing the education leadership program at Viterbo University. He played baseball while on campus, and later coached baseball and basketball — a few times with Desmond on the other end of the court. More recently the two, working in buildings very close to each other, have collaborated to help north side youth.
“Our students (at Logan) are very special people,” Mihalovic said. “The most important part of what we do as an educator is helping them grow.”
Mihalovic teased the crowd as he was introduced that it was a great day to be a parade marshal. After making a few remarks and introducing his family, he gave a parting shot to his Logan family. “And remember, it’s always a great day to be a Ranger,” he said as he left the stage.
The Torchlight Parade winds through the city’s north side at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25; the Maple Leaf Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. See parade routes and more about the fest at: http://oktoberfestusa.com/.