APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University alumnus Chuck Merry and long-time university staffer Rick Peterson are sharing the 2015 Bob Wurdinger Athletic Service Award.
Merry and Peterson were presented with the award at this past Saturday’s basketball games at Alexander Gymnasium.
Merry, a Milwaukee native and a member of the class of 1957, has been a fixture at Lawrence events since he moved back to Appleton in 1962. Merry was a cross country and track athlete during his days at Lawrence and has been involved with the university during all his adult life.
Merry, who was the president of the Letterman’s Club (the L Club) when he was a student, currently serves on the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. He has served on the Lawrence Alumni Association Board of Directors and been a chairman of multiple class reunions. Merry received an Outstanding Service Award from the Lawrence Alumni Association at his 40th reunion in 1997.
Merry, who is still a recreational runner, has been involved in multiple fundraising campaigns for the university. A retired IBM executive, Merry is currently helping with the effort to raise funds for the renovation of the Banta Bowl.
Peterson has worked for Lawrence since he was hired as the sports information director in 1979. A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Peterson came to Lawrence and ushered in the modern era of sports information at the university.
A Neenah resident, Peterson won numerous publications awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America. He created comprehensive media guides for Lawrence’s teams and put together extensive team records for all of Lawrence’s teams. Peterson also served on the selection committee for several All-America football teams in the 1980s.
Peterson, who served as the voice of Lawrence football on WLFM, worked as the sports information director until 1993 when he moved into the role of director of news services. While working on the news side of the Communications office, Peterson continued to help with sports information. For the past 22 years, he has served as the clock operator for both football and basketball.
Peterson now serves as Lawrence’s associate director of communications.
The award was established to honor Wurdinger, a Kaukauna native, and long-time Lawrence assistant football coach. Wurdinger, who has been a tireless advocate for Lawrence athletics for more than four decades, received the first award in 2006.
Other winners of the Wurdinger Award are: Chuck and Cinny Reff, Ken and Carole Ebert, Joe, Clyde and Jeanne Kieffer, Don Strutz, Dick Knapinski, Jerry Podair, Joy Jordan and Paul Wilke.