RIPON, Wis. - Mike Immel '96 is one of three individual National Champions in Ripon College history, and the only person to accomplish that feat in men's track & field, doing so in the discus at the 1996 Outdoor National Championships, which also earned him All-American status. A three-time National qualifier in the event, Immel also played a key role on the football field at Ripon, playing two years as a linebacker and his final two seasons as an All-Conference Tight End. His outstanding career was enshrined forever in 2007 when he was inducted into Ripon's Athletics Hall of Fame.
"I could have gone to a larger school to compete in only track & field, but I also wanted to play football and the possibility of having an educational experience with smaller class sizes really excited me. I knew I wasn't going to play professional football and didn't think I'd be as successful as I ended up being in track & field, but at the same time, I didn't want to hang my cleats up just yet," Immel said. "Ripon College gave me the opportunity to play both sports, which I'm forever grateful for. Those experiences helped me become the person I am today by establishing goals, navigating through setbacks and working extremely hard, which are all attributes that I still use today in my business and coaching professions."
In addition to his National accolades, Immel was also a four-time MWC Champion in the discus, while winning the event all four years at the Wisconsin Private College Championships. He still holds the school record in the Discus with a throw of 174-06, set 25 years ago during his senior season. Immel arrived at Ripon with the raw tools to be the National Champion that he became, but the coaching that was provided to him put his talents over the top.
"Mike was an amazing technician as a thrower, which can be attributed to our throws coach, Wayne Belke," former Ripon track & field coach Bob Duley said. "Wayne made the difference between Mike being 'just' an All-American and taking the next step to become a National Champion."
Immel would concur, as he attributes the majority of his success to the long hours he and Belke worked on improving his craft.
"Coach Belke turned me into the thrower I became at the end of my college career and the throws coach I am today. He took me to the next level with his technical knowledge of throwing and the video analysis that he'd break down for my event, which only lasts a few seconds with zero margin for error," Immel said. "Looking back at the amount of time we spent together watching VHS tapes is something I'll always cherish, and he'd be shocked at what I'm able to show kids today with the advances in technology. All of that wouldn't have been possible if Coach Duley didn't ask him to coach, so I'm indebted to both of them."
The best experience of Immel's career was undoubtedly his National Championship, which was made even sweeter because it followed two consecutive years of reaching Nationals, without taking home the top spot.
"From finishing in first place at the end of the initial qualification day, to entering finals in second place and the response of my mom on video when she realized I was in first heading into my last throw, my final trip to Nationals is something I'll never forget," Immel said. "Two other memories from that day are standing next to the awards stand, wondering how the announcer can't pronounce 'Ripon' correctly (He pronounced it Rip-On), and ultimately standing on top of the podium after failing to win the two previous national championship meets, which shaped how I approached things during my senior year."
As respected as Immel was as a thrower, he was just as respected by his coaches and peers as a person.
"Mike was not only a champion thrower, but he is also a champion person," Duley said. "The things that stood out most about Mike were his toughness, dedication, and work ethic, which were influenced by his parents. I can truly say that he's one of the finest men I've ever met and he's a difference-maker in this world."
Although it was overshadowed by his track & field success, Immel was also a tremendous football player at Ripon.
"Mike started at linebacker for me during his first two seasons and was one of the toughest players I've ever had at that position. He was extremely smart and athletic, and could move extremely well, running sideline-to-sideline to make a play," Ripon Head Football Coach
Ron Ernst said. "I asked him to move to Tight End prior to his junior year because we didn't have much depth at the position. Because of his size and athleticism, he made the transition very well, quickly becoming one of the best Tight Ends in the MWC. He'll go down as one of the most versatile athletes in Ripon College Football history."
After switching to Tight End, Immel was named First Team All-Conference in each of his final two seasons, helping the Red Hawks finish first in the MWC North Division in 1995 to advance to the MWC Championship game. Immel finished his career with 44 receptions for 649 yards, while averaging 14.8 yards per catch.
"Having the opportunity to participate in two sports at a high level for four years created many great memories, including catching my only touchdown, which helped us come back from a 21-point third quarter deficit to defeat Carroll College," Immel said. "I was part of Coach Ernst's first full recruiting class and the group of guys he brought in and experiences we had as a team is something I'll cherish forever."
A native of Winneconne, Wis., Immel has worked for J.J. Keller & Associates in Neenah for nearly 21 years, where he currently serves as a Fleet Services Sales Trainer. He was one of Coach Duley's assistants at Ripon for several years after his graduation, and currently coaches the throwing events at Winneconne High School. For the last six years, Immel has also served as co-president of the Winneconne Gridiron Club, which is a youth football and cheerleading club that introduces kids in grades K-3 to those sports.
"I really love working with the kids, building the program, and seeing everyone improve," Immel said. "I still use some of the same offensive plays and drills today that Coach Ernst used during my playing days."
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