By Patrick Loftus
After Western Michigan University (WMU) defeated Massachusetts to win the Frozen Four Hockey Regional Final on March 29, 2025, it was time to make plans to drive from Port Huron to St. Louis to see WMU contend for their first NCAA Division 1 title to be held at the Enterprise Center on April 10-12. The 1965 Cross Country team was the last Bronco team to win a national crown.
The day before the semifinals, I drove from Mattawan to Champaign, Illinois and ate at the Bangkok Thai restaurant near the campus, a tasty meal of Pad Seew. I arrived in Carlyle, a town of 3400, to my destination, just a block from the High School, where I held my first German teaching job. I was invited by a former student, Rob Miller and his wife Meg to stay for the duration of the finals. We caught up on the current happenings of life, family sports, and plans.
In the early evening, I saw my friend Matt Tucker , who lives in Huey, a town of 200 and joked about past and present times of Detroit sports and the St. Louis Blues. We had breakfast at the Old 50 Cafe.,the day of the matchup between Denver, the defending NCAA Hockey Champion.
By 2pm, Asa Lowe and I took off towards the Mississippi River, past the Arch to meet another former student, Brian Blagoue at Syberg’s Restaurant close to the arena. We had a great meal , ordered tickets for $6 each. What an unbelievable bargain! WMU dominated the crowd with their lungs and Brown and Gold. Owen Michaels scored early into the second overtime to pave the way to the Finals on Saturday for the Broncos. Asa and Brian became true fans that evening. They had never attended college hockey before that evening.
The following morning, I met John Wilken for breakfast. He started farming at the age of 19. We talked about our families, politics, travel and retirement. We hadn’t seen each other for 37 years, but caught up during our 90 minute gathering. For an early dinner, Asa and his mom took me to Crossroads Restaurant in Keyesport for a Lenten walleye meal. Later that evening, I attended a baseball game with a Men at the Cross buddy, Chris Schlautmann, in Trenton, whose son was playing.
Asa, Rob and Meg joined me for the Finals on Saturday Night, sacrificing their love of a huge UFC pay fight. We parked at Union Station, strolled through with a very partisan crowd to the Enterprise Center. Most Division 1 teams were represented by various outfits with their logos, jerseys, hoodies and caps. It was a surreal experience as Western Michigan dominated Boston late and THE moment had arrived as gloves, sticks and helmets decorated were thrown towards the rafters! The teams took to the handshakes, the trophy presentation as the fans cried and screamed. Now Rob and Meg are loyal WMU hockey fans and supporters.
On Sunday, I drove from Carlyle to Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, greeted the team after arriving by police escorts in stretch limousines. There they were: Captain Tim Washe, 1st Team All American Alex Bump, Frozen Four MVP Owen Michaels, the whole team, Coach of the Pat Ferschweiler, the trophy, the marquee, the Lawson Lunatics.
What a dream come true!
Patrick Loftus
WMU Class of 1981
