Class of 1990 - Diving, Wrestling, Baseball

Sam Arieff epitomizes the saying, “Good things come in small packages.” Although he started his freshman year at Nicolet weighing less than 100 pounds, Sam earned 7 varsity letters in 8 sporting seasons at Nicolet. In baseball, where he first lettered as a sophomore, he earned First-Team All-Conference and All-State honors. He made the varsity wrestling team as a freshman, compiling a 17-8 record in his second season. Though his wrestling future was promising, Sam abruptly switched to diving as a junior despite having no previous experience.

Diving proved to be his calling. He immediately earned a varsity spot and qualified for the state meet, finishing 13th. The next year, he won conference, sectionals, and was the state runner-up. Despite only 15 months of diving experience, Sam was heavily recruited by numerous Division I universities.

At Nicolet, Sam also finished in the top 10% of his class and received the Kukla Athletic Memorial Scholarship award.

Sam’s athletic career really took off in college. He received a partial diving scholarship to the 3-time defending national championship Swimming and Diving team at the University of Texas-Austin, where he redshirted his first year due to a torn ACL he incurred at the end of his senior baseball season at Nicolet.

By the time he graduated from the University of Texas, Sam had collected one second place and two first-place medals at the Southwest Conference championships, was crowned the 1995 Southwest Conference Diver-of-the-Year, placed 12th at the NCAA championships, was a 2-time All-American, participated in the U.S. Olympic Festival and 4 U.S. Nationals, and finished 15th on the 10-meter platform at the United States National Championships, missing the Olympic Trials by only 3 spots.

Sam also excelled academically at Texas, earning high honors, becoming a 3-time GTE Academic All-American, and earning a prestigious NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship.

In 1999, Sam received a commission to the United States Air Force as a pilot. Most of his 22-year career followed the 9-11 attacks, and Sam logged more than 1000 combat hours, trained dozens of pilots in wartime operations, and accumulated 6 Air Medals. He went on to become a financial professional, pilot for Delta Air Lines, husband, and father of two girls.

Sam credits his coaches and athletic experiences at Nicolet with setting him on a path to success. At Nicolet he acquired the discipline, toughness, and belief in himself that led to many successes both in and out of the sporting arena.

Class of 1973 - Football, Track & Field

Jeffrey Hogan held all major Nicolet football career and season records for total offense, rushing, and scoring for nearly 50 years. During the 1970, 1971 and 1972 seasons, Jeffrey compiled 3,362 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns highlighted by 1120 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns in his All Braveland Conference 1971 season. Total offense consisting of rushing, pass receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns underscores Jeffrey’s versatility for the team.

On the track, Jeffrey lettered for four years, held Nicolet’s school long jump record for two decades, at time of graduation was in top ten in school history for 100 and 220 yard sprints, won multiple Braveland Conference indoor and outdoor long jump titles, qualified for State, and took pride with his teammates to represent Nicolet as champions in numerous 440 yard, 880 yard, and mile relay competitions within the Conference and across Wisconsin.

During his junior and senior seasons Jeffrey was MVP or Co-Captain of both football and track teams including the 1972 Braveland Conference Track Champions and received the prestigious W Club Award for overall area athletic and scholastic achievements during his senior year.

Jeffrey’s experience at Nicolet during the generation of legendary Nicolet coaches and tutors Fred Rice, Dick Huxtable, Frank Wolf, Doug Irwin, and Rollie Strehlow was springboard to the continuation of his academic and athletic career at Amherst College which included being ranked in top ten NCAA Division III rushing and competing at national level in long jump. The ongoing appreciation of lessons learned at Nicolet endures today as Jeffrey enjoys participating in marathons and ultramarathons across the US and Europe.

1991-present - Distinguished Service

Since the school's inception in 1955, there have been many strong boosters of Nicolet athletics. Few, however, can match the sheer magnitude of support displayed by Mort Grodsky. Initially, while it was commonplace to see his face at any of the games played by one of his three sons, Grodsky would become a fixture attendee across the sports spectrum. For more than 30 years, he has shown his passionate encouragement at the baseball diamond, at the football field, and in the gymnasium for basketball and volleyball. With his sons Eric, Marc, and Jason all having played varsity baseball, Grodsky would start on his path as a Knights super-fan. He would go on to have attended, amazingly, more than 600 Nicolet baseball games over three decades. With adding the 100s of other athletic contests where he was in the stands, Grodsky has shown his support to thousands of student-athletes dating back to 1991. Additionally, his genuine enthusiasm for all things Nicolet led him to serve a 6-year stint on the School Board starting in 2011. This continued championing of Knights athletics has cemented Mort Grodsky’s mark in the archives of Nicolet sports history.

2003-24 - Coach

A Nicolet graduate himself (Class of 1996), Gus Kaufmann gave back to the school in ways that very few have. For more than two decades, Kaufmann devoted himself to the student-athletes across two different sports. As the varsity wrestling coach from 2002-2023, he elevated the program to unprecedented heights. His tireless efforts would see him continuously reach down to the lower youth levels where he would begin to develop a long-term bond with his athletes. During his 21 seasons, his teams would earn over 120 dual meet victories while sending 36 individual wrestlers to the State Tournament. Kaufmann would coach four wrestlers to the State Finals with two claiming WIAA State championships. His teams would earn a North Shore Conference Dual championship, a North Shore Conference championship, and three Regional championships. Then, in 2022, his Knights reached the pinnacle of the sport by capturing the Sectional team title with a berth to WIAA State. Off the mat, Kaufmann also was a dedicated track coach where he would coach pole vaulting from 2002-2018. Here, he led 10 qualifiers to WIAA State with one athlete claiming 5th place. Kaufmann would also lead two separate teams to the Conference Relay record of 29’ in 2012 and 2016. With a combined 37 seasons coached in two sports, Gus Kaufmann has permanently etched his proud legacy on Nicolet athletics.

Class of 2019 - Wrestling, Football

Upon walking off the wrestling mat for the last time in his storied Nicolet career, there was little doubt that Parker Keckeisen would soon be destined for the Hall of Fame. Few student-athletes have left such an unparalleled imprint on a school athletic program. There are no accolades that one can say that overstate his achievements. Keckeisen established his legacy by winning two WIAA State Championships, earning team MVP awards in each of his four seasons, and setting school records of 53 tech falls, 736 takedowns, and 158 wins (against just 11 losses). As a freshman, he would finish 2nd in conference and 5th in State with an overall record of 34-9. As a sophomore, his record would climb to 45-2 while finishing 1st in conference and 2nd in State. He would also lead his team to their second team Sectional berth in school history. After missing the conference meet due to injury, Keckeisen would put an exclamation mark on his junior season with a 32-0 record and his first WIAA State Championship. He would then run his undefeated streak to an amazing 79 wins as he claimed his second conference title while also successfully defending his WIAA State Championship as a senior. Aside from wrestling, Keckeisen also excelled on the gridiron as a 2-year varsity starter that culminated in being named 1st Team All Conference as a senior while receiving the team’s Iron Knight Award. Post high school, Keckeisen would continue to display his wrestling dominance at the University of Northern Iowa with a career record of 105-5 while winning the 2024 NCAA Championship.

Class of 1970 - Football, Wrestling, Track & Field, Baseball

Michael Kuffel began his freshman year of high school as an undersized (4’11” 138 pounds) but eager athlete with the drive to succeed and the curiosity to try out for every sport possible. During his four years at Nicolet, Mike participated in football, wrestling, baseball, and track, and despite being under five feet tall, he even tried out for the basketball team as a freshman. In all, his athletic perseverance led him to earn six Varsity letters in three different sports, a Braveland Conference individual championship as a wrestler, a 1st Team All-Braveland Conference selection in football, and a highly successful collegiate career.

In football, Mike was a quick study, learning enough from freshman head coach and Hall of Fame inductee Dick Huxtable to start on offense, defense, and special teams in his first year with the program. With his skill, confidence, and body each growing rapidly, he continued to play both ways on the JV team as a sophomore before making Varsity as a junior. His final two years, he started on both the offensive and defensive lines and played special teams for the Knights, earning Honorable Mention All-Braveland Conference as a junior on the defensive line, and following that up by being named a team captain and earning 1st Team All-Braveland Conference honors as a senior on the offensive line.

Mike’s journey to the wrestling mat was borne from his participation in physical education following his first football season. Seeing something special in this slight but aggressive young freshman, his PE teacher and future Hall of Fame wrestling coach Rollie Strehlow encouraged him to give the sport a try. Again, he learned the techniques quickly and was able to compete at the Varsity level his final two years, bringing home the Braveland Conference championship in the 165-pound weight class as a senior. In baseball, Mike also earned two Varsity letters playing 2nd base and catcher and serving as a team co-captain as a senior.

After high school, Mike earned a grant from Carthage College for football and wrestling and received 1st Team All-CCIW honors in his final two years for a football team that won a Conference Championship in all four years he played. Mike believes very strongly that the wonderful life experiences he enjoyed through athletics were made possible by the great mentoring he received from his high school coaches and the unconditional support provided by his teammates.

Class of 1987 - Tennis, Gymnastics, Track & Field

Gayle Miller is one of the most accomplished and talented multisport athletes to ever come out of Nicolet High School. Through dedication and discipline, Gayle excelled at the highest level in Tennis, Gymnastics and Track. Her excellence also extended to the classroom with an induction into the National Honor Society, and as a recipient of the prestigious Glenn A. Kukla Scholarship.

With her trademark enthusiastic smile and her ability to use her power and explosiveness, she became a North Shore Conference Champion in Tennis, Gymnastics, and Track. Further, she was the Regional Vault Champion and the Conference Long Jump Champion in both the Outdoor and Indoor seasons, and even holds a top spot on the Gymnastics record board in Vault. She was a State qualifier in all three of her sports, was voted the Team Captain her Senior year of the Gymnastics team, and was voted the Team MVP in Track. Lastly, in 1986, she helped lead the Girls’ Gymnastics team to their Dream Season going undefeated in all dual meets, winning the North Shore Conference, Regionals, and Sectionals, and bringing home the WIAA State Championship, even breaking the WIAA State record.

Gayle always thought of her team, encouraging others to take risks and try harder, and was there to cheer on her teammates in the gym, on the tennis court, or on the track. With all of Gayle’s incredible accomplishments as an outstanding athlete, it is a powerful reminder that with grit, hard work, and passion, anything is possible.

Class of 1975 - Football, Diving, Track & Field

In 1972, freshman year, Keith came to Nicolet intending to play football, basketball and pole vault on the track team. He played quarterback as well as cornerback on the football team for four years earning two letters. He pole vaulted for four years earning two letters and finishing second in the Braveland conference winning several meets/medals throughout his pole vaulting career . The sport Keith excelled at turned out to be Springboard Diving. In 1972 Keith heard that the swimming team was in need of a diver and he might even be able to “letter” depending on his skills. So, he pursed, and the rest is history that resulted in a huge impact on his life in so many ways.

Math teacher and Coach Don Osborne’s discipline and repetitiveness was a key factor in his success. By the time he was a junior in 1974, Keith won the Braveland Conference championships, took first place in sectionals and took fifth in the Wisconsin State meet. Senior year, Keith brought Nicolet Diving to a level that it had never seen before. Keith set several school records. Keith scored the most points awarded for diving in Nicolet history. Keith had an undefeated season, winning the Braveland conference, Sectional meet and being the first Nicolet diver to win the Wisconsin State Championship. Keith led the Swimming team to a fourth place finish in the State meet which was the highest finish in school history. Keith was voted MVP and was selected as a Highschool All American.

In 1975, Keith was named to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All Area Influential Sports Figures, won the first annual Jim Lubotsky Memorial scholarship, the prestigious Glen A. Kukla memorial award and Kiwanis scholarship for academics and athleticism.

Keith was offered scholarships at several Universities and choose the University of Illinois on a Diving Scholarship where he dove for four years, earned four letters and was in the Big Ten finals, competed in the NCAA 3 meter and 10 meter Tower competitions in addition to being named a Honorable Mention Collegiate All American.

Keith commented that participating in sports at Nicolet provided him with confidence, leadership expertise and teamwork skills. These attributes helped Keith in his successful career and family life. As of 2024, Keith lives in Cincinnati with his wife Franceine. He has two children, a wonderful daughter-in-law and one grandchild. Keith has had a successful Polo career for the past 25 years.

If interested… Keith is happy to tell you all about the touchdown pass he threw to Craig Wyclendt senior year at homecoming to defeat Menomonee Falls North.

Class of 1977 - Basketball, Track & Field, Baseball

In the 1970’s, before club programs and athletic specialization became more commonplace among high school athletes, many Nicolet students were versatile and successful in different sports. However, very few from that era or any other combined multisport greatness with superior leadership qualities the way that Tim Sheehy did during his four years at Nicolet. As of his induction in 2024, Tim was one of only two Hall of Fame athletes in school history to have been named Team Captain, Team MVP and All-Conference in both baseball and basketball, a truly remarkable achievement.

Tim earned nine Varsity letters in three sports, two in track, three in basketball and four in baseball. In basketball, He scored 425 points and had 194 rebounds during his three Varsity seasons playing for Hall of Fame coach Tom Puls. As a Senior captain for the Knights, he averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, was chosen as the Team’s Most Valuable Player, and earned All-Braveland Conference Second Team honors.

On the diamond, Tim was perhaps the finest pitcher in school history, playing four years as a Varsity starter for Hall of Fame coach Dick Huxtable. He had a career record of 22-11 with an ERA of 1.41 and struck out 227 hitters in 261 innings. He also went an incredible 21 games without allowing an earned run. As a Junior, Tim led the team to its first State Championship Game, was named the Team MVP and earned 2nd Team All-Braveland Conference honors. He followed that up with an amazing Senior season, serving as team captain, finishing the year with an ERA of 0.68, and striking out 86 batters in 81 innings. He was again named the Team MVP and earned 1st Team All-Braveland Conference honors.

After high school, Tim earned a scholarship to play baseball at UW-Madison in 1977. He went on to become a highly respected leader in the Milwaukee business community, having served as president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) for over three decades.