Michigan College Sports Stars: Beyond the Big Two
🏈🏀⚾ The Great Colleges of the Mitten
When you think of Michigan college sports stars, the first names that come to mind usually come from Ann Arbor or East Lansing. But across the Mitten, smaller programs have quietly produced some of the state’s most accomplished athletes — from NBA All-Stars and Super Bowl champions to Olympic medalists and Hall of Famers.
I’ll admit — because I’m a proud Central Michigan University alum, this piece may carry a bit of a Mount Pleasant slant. Those Chippewa memories run deep. But the goal here isn’t just to relive my own college days — it’s to shine a light on all the schools across the state that have produced outstanding talent, many of whom often get overlooked in Michigan’s sports conversation.
Michigan is packed with great colleges and universities — not just the Big Two, but the so-called “directional schools” of Central, Western, and Eastern Michigan, plus storied programs like Detroit Mercy, Grand Valley, and Michigan Tech. Together, these schools have built a proud tradition of excellence that deserves its own spotlight.
🏀 A Memory from Mount Pleasant
I was a student at Central Michigan University when Dan “Thunder” Majerle and Ervin “Lightning” Leavy took the court together. The nickname “Thunder and Lightning” fit perfectly — Majerle’s power and Leavy’s quickness made CMU must-see basketball.
That team earned a berth in the 1987 NCAA Tournament, facing UCLA led by Reggie Miller and Pooh Richardson. CMU fell 93–72, but that season put Mount Pleasant — and Rose Arena — on the national map. Even then, you could tell Majerle was meant for something greater, but probably no one expected the success he eventually achieved.
That memory got me thinking: what other Michigan college sports stars outside of Michigan and Michigan State have gone on to make their mark in professional sports?
Central Michigan University
Dan Roundfield (Basketball) — Dominant CMU forward in the mid-1970s; 3× NBA All-Star, 5× NBA All-Defensive Team, and All-NBA Second Team (1980) with the Hawks.
Dan “Thunder” Majerle (Basketball) — CMU’s No. 2 all-time scorer (2,055 pts) and 1987 MAC Tournament MVP. While it was clear he had talent, few could have predicted just how far he’d go. Majerle played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers, earning three All-Star selections and becoming one of the league’s premier two-way players. Internationally, he captured a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship. The “Thunder” half of CMU’s Thunder and Lightning duo with Ervin “Lightning” Leavy, Majerle helped lead the Chippewas to the NCAA Tournament and put Mount Pleasant — and Central Michigan — on the national map.
Ervin “Lightning” Leavy (Basketball) — The “Lightning” to Majerle’s Thunder, Leavy averaged 17.6 PPG (4th all-time at CMU) and was a First-Team All-MAC selection (1987). Drafted by the Chicago Bulls (7th round, 1987) in the same class as Scottie Pippen, he became a Flint legend and a member of the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Bernhard Raimann (Football) — Former tight end turned offensive tackle; 3rd-round pick (Colts, 2022) and now their starting left tackle, one of the NFL’s best young linemen.
Eric Fisher (Football) — The first MAC player ever drafted No. 1 overall (2013, Chiefs); Super Bowl LIV champion and 2× Pro Bowler.
Antonio Brown (Football) — Two-time All-American at CMU; 7× NFL Pro Bowler, 4× First-Team All-Pro.
Joe Staley (Football) — Tight-end-turned-tackle; first-round pick (49ers), six Pro Bowls, two Super Bowls.
Chris Kaman (Basketball) — Led CMU to its first NCAA Tournament win in 30 years; 6th overall pick (2003); 2010 NBA All-Star.
Kevin Tapani (Baseball) — CMU ace who pitched 13 MLB seasons, winning 143 games and a 1991 World Series with Minnesota.
Dan LeFevour (Football) — Dual-threat QB who once held the NCAA record for total TDs (150); led CMU to multiple MAC titles.
Gary Hogeboom (Football) — 1979 MAC Offensive POY; longtime NFL QB (Dallas, Indianapolis, Arizona).
Zach McKinstry (Baseball) — CMU Co-MVP turned 2025 Detroit Tigers All-Star, proof the Chippewa-to-pro pipeline still thrives.
Eastern Michigan University
George “Iceman” Gervin (Basketball) — 4× NBA scoring champ, Hall of Famer.
Grant Long (Basketball) — 1988 MAC POY; 15-year NBA career; jersey retired.
Earl Boykins (Basketball) — 13-year NBA PG (5’5″); EMU assists king; jersey retired.
Derrick Dial (Basketball) — Five NBA seasons (Nets/Magic/Spurs/Raptors).
Fred Cofield (Basketball) — NBA guard (Bulls/Knicks).
Charlie Batch (Football) — 15-year NFL QB, 2× Super Bowl champ (Steelers).
Maxx Crosby (Football) — NFL All-Pro edge for Las Vegas.
T.J. Lang (Football) — Super Bowl XLV champ, Pro Bowler (2016).
Western Michigan University
Greg Jennings (Football) — Super Bowl XLV champ, 2× 1,000-yd seasons.
Corey Davis (Football) — No. 5 overall (2017); FBS career receiving-yards leader (5,278).
Jason Babin (Football) — 1st-round pick, 2× Pro Bowler.
Tony Scheffler (Football) — 2nd-round TE (Broncos/Lions).
Louis Delmas (Football) — 2nd-round S; Lions stalwart.
E.J. Biggers (Football) — 7th-round CB; multi-team NFL career.
Shayne Whittington (Basketball) — NBA (Pacers); First-Team All-MAC.
Ben Handlogten (Basketball) — NBA C; long Euro career.
Michigan Tech University
Tony Esposito (Hockey) — 1965 NCAA title; 3× Vezina, Hall of Famer.
John Scott (Hockey) — 2016 NHL All-Star Game MVP.
Northern Michigan University
Steve Mariucci (Football/Coach) — QB of 1975 D-II national champs; later NFL HC (49ers/Lions).
Dallas Drake (Hockey) — Captain of 1991 NCAA champs; 1,000+ NHL games.
🏒 Lake Superior State University
Doug Weight (Hockey) — Stanley Cup champ, 4× NHL All-Star, U.S. Hockey HOF.
Grand Valley State University
Brandon Carr (Football) — 190+ consecutive NFL starts.
Matthew Judon (Football) — Multi-time Pro Bowler (Patriots).
Ferris State University
Chris Kunitz (Hockey) — 4× Stanley Cup champion; Hobey Baker finalist.
Oakland University
Travis Bader (Basketball) — Once the NCAA’s all-time leader in made three-pointers; currently 5th all-time (504) behind Detroit Mercy’s Antoine Davis.
Kendrick Nunn (Basketball) — Horizon League POY, NBA All-Rookie, 2024 EuroLeague MVP.
Jack Gohlke (Basketball) — 2024 March Madness hero (10 threes vs. Kentucky).
University of Detroit Mercy
Dave DeBusschere (Basketball/Baseball) — Knicks legend; NBA Hall of Famer.
Spencer Haywood (Basketball) — Olympic gold, NBA MVP, Hall of Famer.
John Long (Basketball) — 12,000+ NBA points, ’89 Pistons champ; No. 50 retired.
Terry Tyler (Basketball) — NBA All-Rookie, seven seasons with Pistons; No. 44 retired.
Terry Duerod (Basketball) — Former Piston; 1981 NBA champion (Celtics).
Willie Green (Basketball/Coach) — 12-year NBA guard; now Pelicans HC.
Ray McCallum Jr. (Basketball) — 2013 NBA Draft pick (Kings); NBA & Euro veteran.
Antoine Davis (Basketball) — One of the greatest scorers in NCAA history. Finished 2nd all-time in NCAA scoring and became the all-time leader in three-pointers made (588) and attempts (1,566). Went undrafted in 2023, but signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, played in the NBA Summer League, and joined the Rip City Remix before being traded to the Stockton Kings in 2024–25.
Hillsdale College
Isaac TeSlaa (Football) — GLIAC OPOY (2022) at Hillsdale; transferred to Arkansas; signed with the Detroit Lions (2024).
Wayne State University
Joique Bell (Football) — 2009 Harlon Hill Trophy (D-II Heisman); Lions RB.
Women of Note (Olympians & Professionals)
Central Michigan — Crystal Bradford, Micaela Kelly, Tinara Moore (WNBA).
Eastern Michigan — Shirley Spork (LPGA co-founder), Sasha Springer-Jones (Olympian).
Western Michigan — Sharon Miller (LPGA), Carrie Moore (WNBA/Harvard HC).
Detroit Mercy — Jody Handley (England WNT).
Oakland — Cheryl Angelelli (Paralympic medalist).
Wayne State — Cynthia Goyette (1964 Olympic Gold).
Grand Valley — Ava Cook (NWSL), Barb & Kim Hansen (WBL).
Spring Arbor — Bethany Balcer (USWNT, NWSL Rookie of the Year).
Michigan’s smaller programs have sent WNBA picks, LPGA pioneers, Olympians, and pro stars to the world stage—every bit as “Mitten made” as their male counterparts.
🏁 Wrapping It Up
From Ypsilanti to Marquette, Allendale to Mount Pleasant, Michigan’s smaller colleges have produced champions, All-Stars, and legends — proof that heart and hustle matter more than conference logos.
Although this list is surely incomplete, we’d love to hear your stories. If you remember watching one of these players — or have your own college-sports memory — submit an article and tell us about it.
👉 Submit Your Article and share your favorite small-college sports moment from the Mitten!
