Blue Devil Alumni Spotlight: Mark LaLonde

Name – Mark LaLonde
UW-Stout graduation year – 1992
Major – Marketing Education & Business Administration
Sport – Football
Years Played – 1988-92
Hometown (High School) – Germantown, WI
Currently Reside – Mequon, WI
 
1.) Why did you choose to be a collegiate student-athlete at UW-Stout?
I decided to tour the Stout campus after a home visit from Coach Rich Lawrence. I visited the campus with 4 other students from my high school.Three of the four enrolled at Stout.I was given a guided tour from Guy Kopp, a freshman linebacker on the team.I liked what he had to say about the University and the team. Guy ended up being a good friend.Also, Stout had just completed the new fieldhouse addition project and it was very impressive.For those reasons, I choose Stout.
 

2.) What did you like most about competing in collegiate athletics?
I liked the mindset of being a college athlete.No matter what level you play at, it is a commitment to improve yourself and to work to make the team better.I remember playing as a Freshman and how intense the games were.I knew I wanted to get better.I liked that about college athletics, I like it about life..
 

3.) What is the greatest lesson you learned from being a collegiate student- athlete?
In the late summer of 1991, while at Stout, I suffered a torn ACL.A few teammates and I had spent the summer on campus and really dedicated ourselves to the upcoming football season.That injury was devastating to me.I knew we had a talented and committed team.I decided to play that season with the torn ACL.With the help of the training staff and the understanding of the coaches, I was able to play.It was the best, most fun and most successful team I was a part of as a Blue Devil.The lesson I learned was that you can overcome personal adversity and still help the team have success.
 

4.) Who was the most influential person in your athletic career?
I have already credited Coach Rich Lawrence with getting me to go to Stout.But, the most influential person in my athletic career was Coach Mark Thomas.He believed in me as a player and person.He motivated me to get better.He encouraged me through injury and rehab.He was always optimistic and supportive.I really enjoyed playing for Coach Thomas.
 

5.) What is your most memorable or favorite sports moment at UW-Stout?
Homecoming 1990.We defeated a very good UW-Stevens Point team.It was a great game and most of my family was in attendance.The win was big for Stout Football.It was especially gratifying for me personally because my brother played for Point at the time.

 
6.) How did your teammates describe you as a person and a student-athlete?
I asked a few of my former teammates how they would describe me as a player.
Larry Baltutis #29, WR replied, "passionate leader…with bad knees."
Jimbo Miklesh #3, QB said, "you were a good leader."
Tim Bozikowski #35 LB stated, "a great teammate that I enjoyed playing with."

 
7.) Are you in contact with any former Blue Devil student-athletes?
Larry Baltutis #29 WR, Jimbo Miklesh #3 QB, Tim Bozikowski #35 LB, Rod Boho #43 FB and I remained close after our time at Stout.Rod, unfortunately, was tragically killed in a boating accident way too young.The other three were all a part of my wedding party in 2004 and we have remained close ever since.There were several former teammates at my wedding and I have had the privilege to attend theirs.Since attending the annual Stout Football golf outing, I have been able to reconnect with Andy Krueger #36 LB, Gomin Beyer #31 DB, and Darin Mrachek #93 DE.  I get to see all the Hogs (offensive lineman) annually and have been able to play in their Fantasy Football league.  Because of the outing, every year I get to see a lot of the guys that I took the field with, like Tim Peterson FOH QB and Scott Fredrickson HOF WR.  In the past Chris Lindner #41 LB and Todd Frantz #8 DB have joined the event.   It is really nice when someone new shows up who hasn't been there before.  Wayne Rihn OL and Garret Beck DB recently showed up and had a great time.

 
8.) You have made a decision to stay involved with Blue Devil athletic alumni events. What is your favorite part about seeing your old friends and meeting the new alumni at these functions?
Coach Duey Naatz, now Athletic Director at UW-Stout, and Coach Clayt Birmingham have done a great job giving Stout football alum an annual event.The golf outing is one of my favorite weekends of the year.It is always great to see former teammates.You have a history and a connection that goes deep.They know you and you knew them at a very exciting time in your life.Seeing them now brings you back to the fun times and puts you in a great mood.It is nice to hear about what they have going on and how life has unfolded for them.

Meeting Blue Devils that have come after me at Stout is interesting.College life has changed but the journey at Stout remains the same…have fun, play hard, and talk smack with their buddies.You get to hear the stories and watch them interact with their peers.You see them and it reminds you how you and your teammates were at that age.It is really invigorating and cool.The same can be said about the guys that did the journey before we did.The only difference is they are way better at giving each other the business.

I have many friends that were student-athletes at the college level, and none of them have anything like this.Stout is a special place with special people and the golf outing is a great time.


9.) You have been a big supporter of the new football locker room fundraising campaign. Why did you want to give back to your alma mater?
I had been looking for an opportunity to give something back to UW-Stout for a while.I wanted to make a donation because I strongly believe in Stout football, and the positive effect it has had on my life.The locker room campaign is a great way to join together with other Blue Devils on a project that will make the experience for future Blue Devils even better.


10.)    What do you think the locker room campaign will do for the current and future Blue Devil football student-athlete?
Well, it will give them a nice place to sit…Facilities are a huge part of an athletes experience at college.The program has to remain competitive in all facets of athletics in order to give the players and coaches a chance to be successful.I feel the locker room may give the program an advantage in recruiting and retaining the type of student-athlete that will excel at Stout.
 

11.)    Give us a brief synopsis of your life since graduating from UW-Stout, including job and family.
After completing my class work at Stout, I was a student-teacher at Milwaukee Juneau High School.Upon graduation, I spent time working in the Twin Cities for a marketing company.After my time in MN, I took a position in Kenosha, WI as a building materials salesman.That was a good experience and I found a passion for construction.At that time, I started to discuss taking a position at my father's road building company.Today, I am President and Owner of LaLonde Contractors, Inc., the business my father founded in 1984.I am very proud to carry-on his legacy and to work with such a great team of people.

My wife, Dr. Shayla Kelley LaLonde and I married in 2004.We are very fortunate to have 5 healthy, happy, and loving children.We have two boys, Cade (age 11) and Luke (age 8), and three girls, Chase (age 10), Reese (age 6), and Quinn (age 4).Our house is always full of noise and chaos……just the way I like it.