By Tim Shoe Sullivan

Stevens Point has had its fair share of newsworthy characters. Sit back now, put your feet up, and see if you can guess…

1. He played softball in Point for The Flame and basketball for Papa Joe’s. He graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 1972, and he went on to referee in the NBA for 25 years.

A. Jim Billings
B. Ron “Minnow” Shimek.
C. Blaine “Goose” Reichelt.
D. Troy Weichelt. E. Kenny Opiola.

2. He was born in Stevens Point in 1947. He played the title character in the blockbuster hit “RoboCop”.

A. Peter Sellers.
B. Peter Weller.
C. Bob Feller.
D. Joseph Heller.
E. Barney Fife.

3. He played linebacker for the “Pointers” in 1998. Following his career at UWSP, he played for the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. He made the opening tackle for the Steelers against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

A. Clint Eastwood.
B. Logan Marcell.
C. Franco Harris.
D. Clint Kriewaldt.
E. Jack Lambert.

4. She was born in Stevens Point in 1954. She went to SPASH and UWSP. She played Mimi Bobeck on “The Drew Carey Show”.

A. Kathy Kinney.
B. Dabo Swinney.
C. Felicia Bella.
D. Minnie Pearl.
E. Amber Hintz.

5. He is a retired Stevens Point cop. In 1976, he was on the Milwaukee Brewers’ grounds crew at Milwaukee County Stadium when Henry Aaron hit his 755th and final home run. He saw a fellow grounds crew member retrieve the ball.

A. Joe Friday.
B. Joe Kenda.
C. Sean Houlihan.
D. Ron Carlson.
E. Harry Gill.

6. He was born in Spencer, Wisconsin but lived in Stevens Point. After a short career as a semi-professional baseball player, he pursued a career in country music and is best known for his 1963 hit song “Six Days On The Road”.

A. Roy Orbison.
B. Sam Drucker.
C. Tom T. Hall.
D. Dave Dudley.
E. Arnold Ziffle.

7. This PJ Jacobs’ grad hit the first major league home run at Anaheim Stadium.

A. Mike Trout.
B. Leon Wagner.
C. Rick Reichardt.
D. Joe Adcock.
E. Albie Pearson.

8. In 1961, Appleton Xavier’s football team beat Pacelli, 34-0. In 1962, Xavier downed Pacelli, 39-0. In 1963, Xavier beat Pacelli, 40-0. Who was the Xavier star running back who went on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers?

A. Rocky Marciano.
B. Rock Hudson.
C. Rocky Bleier.
D. Chris Rock.
E. Knute Rockne.

9. Which NFL team trained in Stevens Point in 1995?

A. Carolina Panthers.
B. Kansas City Chiefs.
C. Chicago Bears.
D. Jacksonville Jaguars.
E. Minnesota Vikings.

10. Who were the only two people to be lynched in Portage County? (Actually, it was in Stevens Point).

A. Hoss and Little Joe Cartwright.
B. Tom Dooley and Willie Wonka.
C. Ben There and Don That.
D. Amos and Isiah Courtwright.
E. Jim Beam and Harvey Wallbanger.

ANSWERS: 1. C- Blaine “Goose” Reichelt was an NBA ref from 1980-2004. 2. B- Peter Weller. 3. D- Clint Kriewaldt. 4. A- Kathy Kinney. 5. D- Ron Carlson. Aaron’s 755th homer sold for $650,000 in 1999. 6. D- Dave Dudley. 7. C- Rick Reichardt. 8. C- Rocky Bleier. 9. D- Jacksonville Jaguars. They joined the NFL along with the Carolina Panthers in 1995. 10. D- In 1875, Amos and Isiah Courtwright shot and killed Sheriff Baker in Buena Vista. They ended up in jail and a mob busted them out of the clink and lynched the brothers at the intersection of Water Street and Whiting Avenue in Stevens Point.