“Mike has worked extremely hard throughout his football career,” Stanley-Boyd football coach Jeff Koenig said after it was announced that Mike Karlen would sign with Northern Michigan University. “I’m excited he’s able to continue his dream at the next level.” In order that others could join in recognizing Karlen, an official signing ceremony took place at Stan ley-Boyd last Wednesday.

Stanley Boyd Senior Mike Karlen has offi cially chosen where he intends to play college football.

“Hello everyone. Welcome to Stanley-Boyd. We are here today to be part of the signing of Mikey Karlen, who is signing today with the University of Northern Michigan for football,” Stanley-Boyd Schools co-athletic director Travis Schindler said from the gymnasium at Stanley-Boyd last Wednesday February 2. With Schindler then giving the microphone to Karlen., the soon-to-be North Michigan Wild- cat flanked on either side by parents shared his reasons for choosing Northern Michigan to play football.

“ I really like the campus,” he said, sharing opportunities to ski and the campus location off Lake Superior as being selling points. Football also came up for mention.

“On the football side of things, their training program is really advanced and they’ve got a lot of technology,” he said. “I would say that’s the biggest thing of what made my decision.”

Prompted next to share when he knew he wanted to play football in college, Karlen obliged.

“I always knew I wanted to play college football, but I didn’t know I wanted to kick until probably freshman year of high school,” he said. “That’s when I started getting serious about it.”

“If you could recall, what is one fun memory you have of playing high school sports?” Schindler asked next, handing the microphone back.

“Probably the Mondovi game this year,” Karlen said. “We were down by two and came back in like the last two minutes of the game. The last play of the game was pretty cool.”

Down by five points against Mondovi with just four seconds left September 17 last year, the Orioles made a touchdown with Karlen knocking over the orange pylon, thereby ‘breaking the plane of the end zone’ and changing the score to put Stanley-Boyd ahead, 28 – 27.

As to who he looks forward to playing as a Wildcat, Karlen had an answer.

“I would have to say UW-Oshkosh,” he said of upcoming competition. “It’s a pretty tough school.”

As to memories of the past, Schindler brought up a 46-yard field goal that Karlen kicked into a head wind, a personal record at the time.

“It’s one of the strangest things I’ve seen,” Schindler shared of the field goal against a strong headwind. Karlen later followed up the 46-yard field goal with a 52-yard field goal against Regis last fall, overcoming his old record.

Before long, it was time to sign, with Schindler giving the direction.

“At this time I would like to ask Mikey to take out his pen and sign your commitment,” the S-B co-athletic director said, Karlen signing in front of the crowd.

Mike Karlen Jr. signs his intent to play football at Northern Michigan University last Wednes day. Photo by Joseph Back.

The score against Mondovi, where four seconds changed history. Photos by Joseph Back.