Hazel Stannard was born on December 1, 1894 to William Linus Stannard and Martha Chynoweth Stannard in Wakefield, Michigan. In her youth the family relocated to Greenland and eventually Laurium, Michigan where Hazel attended Calumet Public Schools. Following graduation she attended Lewis Institute of Chicago and received her teaching certificate and returned home to Laurium where she taught home economics until 1931 at which time she shifted to substitute teaching. Hazel married Arno Vivian on August 17, 1922 though the couple divorced two years later. In 1931 she married postal clerk Arthur Bert Friskey of Lead City, South Dakota. The couple continued to live in Calumet throughout the 1950s with Hazel’s parents, William and Martha. Hazel died on October 5, 1965.

George “The Gipper” Gipp, was born and raised in Laurium, Michigan, the son of Matthew and Isabella Gipp. In his early years, naturally athletic Gipp played hockey, baseball, and participated in track, playing for Calumet High School. Upon entrance into Notre Dame, Gipp sought to play baseball professionally, but was recruited by Coach Knute Rockne to play football for the Fighting Irish. During his career with Notre Dame, Gipp led the team in rushing and passing in 1918-1920. In late 1920, Gipp was selected as Notre Dame’s first All-American. He contracted pneumonia and streptococcal throat infection, dying from his illness two weeks later at the age of 25.