Walt North Inducted to his High School's Sports Hall of Fame

The St. Ignace Saints 1969-68 eighth grade basketball team, coached by Walter North, includes (front, from left) Peder Koivuniemi, Billy Utter, Norm Tamlyn, Danny Grondin; (back) Daryl Massaway, Jim Cronan, Bob Campbell, Matt LaJoice, Ed Lester, Billy Zagar, and Coach North.

Walter H. North of St. Ignace was inducted into the Battle Creek Central High School Hall of Fame during ceremonies Saturday, April 21. Mr. North is a 1951 alumnus of the high school.

In 1951, Mr. North was the captain on the Bearcat varsity basketball team, and during his senior season, earned All-State and All- Conference honors.

Hall of Fame nominees were selected on the criteria of character in high school, post-high school, and adult life. Nominees must also have exhibited outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, arts, success in their field, and significant contributions to their community and country.

After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. North attended Western Michigan University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in business education in 1959. Mr. North was appointed comptroller of the Mackinac Bridge in 1966. During his early years in St. Ignace, he coached junior high basketball and varsity track, and later broadcast Saints football and basketball.

In 1982, Mr. North was named executive secretary of the Mackinac Bridge Authority and, after retirement, was elected state senator from 1994 to 2002. Mr. North received numerous honors during his distinguished career before his retirement as senator in 2003.

He and his wife, Sally, have been married for 54 years and have four sons and their families, Tom North of St. Ignace, David and Konnie North of Traverse City, Jim and Kim North of St. Ignace, and Mike and Marcy North of St. Ignace, along with grandchildren Tanner, Nathyn, Ryan, Michaela, Ryan N., Benjamin, and Ely.