Four deserving individuals have been selected for induction into the 2025 Class of the Mineral Point Football Hall of Fame.
The trio will be honored at the home game vs. Platteville Friday, August 29.
Robert Goldthorpe
#54 Guard / Defensive Lineman
2004 – 2007
Robert is one of the most decorated and dominant linemen in Mineral Point history. He saw playing time at defensive tackle in 2004 and started on the defensive and offensive lines in 2005 as an underclassman. Robert was a starter at offensive guard and defensive end in 2006 and 2007 during his Junior and Senior seasons. In 2007, Robert led his team to Level 3 of the WIAA Playoffs before being knocked off by conference and sectional champion Fennimore in a hard fought 27-14 game.
Robert had 129 career tackles, including 34 tackles for loss. He ended his career with 13.5 sacks, which ranks him 5th all-time in school history. In addition, Robert was given the opportunity to carry the ball on offense a few times, and scored a touchdown and two 2-point conversions during his Senior season.
Robert was selected to the Second Team All-Conference offensive line as a Sophomore. As a Junior, he was a First Team All-Conference offensive and defensive lineman, and a Dodgeville Chronicle All-Area lineman. As a Senior, Robert was again selected to the First Team All-Conference squad on both sides of the ball again, and was chosen by the coaches as the 2007 SWAL II Lineman of the Year, and the 2007 SWAL II Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he was the Dodgeville Chronicle Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year, Dubuque Telegraph Herald First Team All-Area, and Wisconsin State Journal Second Team All-Area selection. Robert played in the 2008 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game, which was the last year of only one division for the All-Stars.
Robert’s favorite memory from his playing days was defeating Darlington 7-6 his Senior year in the “mud bowl” game, as Jordan Tibbits caught the winning touchdown in a downpour late in the game to pull out the victory. He fondly remembers playing for Varsity Assistant Coach Jeff Bindl, and the fun they had doing line drills in practice.
Robert lives in Chicago and is working in consulting.
Mike Gratz
#22 Halfback / Defensive Back / Linebacker
1962 – 1965
Both Pointer Head Coach Chet Jurkovac and Assistant Coach Allen Bauman immediately named Mike Gratz when asked who the best players of their era were. Mike was one of the most versatile players for the Pointers. He returned kickoffs during the last two games of his Freshman season in 1962, and started at defensive back and saw some snaps at halfback as a Sophomore in the ’63 season. Mike rarely left the field his Junior and Senior year, playing inside linebacker and halfback where he both ran and passed several times a game. He also continued returning kicks, and handled the kicking duties for the team. During his playing years, he was able to find the end zone 10 times, and scored 13 extra points – both through kicking and rushing. His 73 career points place him in the top 40 all-time in Mineral Point scoring history.
From 1962 to 1965 the SWAL Conference did not name an All-Conference team, since the teams did not play all of the other teams in the 14 team conference, or Mike would certainly have been recognized as one of the best in the SWAL.
Mike went on to play one season at UW-Whitewater, started at middle linebacker and kicked his Freshman year, and then was called up for the Army reserve and never returned to college.
When he came back to Mineral Point, Mike became an avid supporter of the program by becoming a long-time member of the “chain gang” starting in 1968. For 57 years, he has worked the chains on the sidelines during home games – rain, wind, snow, or fair weather.
Mike fondly remembers his playing days, especially his Senior season, where the Pointers were in position to win the conference title going into the last game of the year at Lancaster. He remembers the heartbreak of falling short 14-7 in his final game in Pointer blue.
Mike lettered four years in football, three years in track, three years in golf, and one year in baseball. He still resides in Mineral Point, and remains on the “chain gang” for every Friday night home game.
Jamie Palzkill
#22 Linebacker / Fullback
1999 – 2002
Jamie was a three year starter at linebacker and fullback, and played some important snaps as a Freshman on the Pointers’ only WIAA State Final team. Jamie was one of the best tacklers to wear the Pointer blue, and always seemed to find his way to the ball carrier. Coach Tom Steger said that Jamie had an outstanding nose for the ball, and called him “The best pure tackler I ever coached.”
Jamie ranks #2 all-time for Mineral Point in career tackles with 310. He had 26 tackles for loss, including eight sacks, and he forced five fumbles, and grabbed five interceptions over his playing career.
Although primarily used as a blocking fullback, Jamie ended his career with 210 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jamie was a Second Team All-Conference linebacker as a Sophomore in 2000, and a First Team All-SWAL linebacker in 2001 and 2002. He was a first team Dodgeville Chronicle All-Area selection for 2001 and 2002, and in 2002 he was named Honorable Mention to the Wisconsin State Journal All-Area team.
Jamie was honored to get to play for Coach Ron Murphy in his last season as Mineral Point’s Head Coach. He remembers loving the grind of practice, the hard work, the film study, and doing it over again the next week. Some of Jamie’s favorite memories from his playing days include playing in the WIAA State Championship game and getting to play at Camp Randall twice during his Freshman year, nearly intercepting an Iowa-Grant pass for a “pick 6” during his first varsity play, playing against future Badger and NFL receiver Luke Swan and intercepting a pass intended for him during his Senior season. Later that season, Jamie also talked Coach Steger out of blitzing him on the last play of the game against Riverdale, and then proceeded to intercept the pass in the endzone to seal the Pointer victory.
Jamie is very grateful for the opportunities his parents (Barb and Brian) provided and the countless hours they spent taking him to and from practices and attending games. Additionally, the support of the community, and the tremendous coaches that lead Mineral Point athletes, ranks second to none. Following graduation from Mineral Point, Jamie earned a degree in Biology/Biochemistry from UW-Platteville, and a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at UW-Madison.
Jamie and Nikki have made Mount Horeb their home where their children—Reagan, Grayson, Lawson, and Rylin—actively take part in numerous athletic and other school activities.
Kraig Wasley
#64 Linebacker / Guard
1983 – 1984
Kraig was a starter at guard and linebacker during the 1983 and 1984 seasons. He also long-snapped, and was on all of the special teams during his varsity career. Longtime Assistant Coach Al Bauman called Kraig one of the best hitters and most instinctive defensive players he had ever seen on the football field. He was a huge part of the 1983 team that challenged eventual State Champion Platteville for the conference title.
Kraig ranks #16 all time in Mineral Point history in tackles with 225, added three career interceptions, and blocked eight punts while playing in an ultra-talented Southern 8 Conference. Kraig was a Second Team All-Southern 8 offensive lineman as a Junior in 1983, and a First Team selection at linebacker as a Senior in 1984, where he scored three defensive touchdowns in conference play. In addition, Kraig was a First Team All-Area selection for the Wisconsin State Journal, and was a Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-District selection in 1984.
Kraig was a three year letter winner in football and baseball, and a four year letter winner in wrestling. He was selected for the Dodgeville Chronicle Sportsmanship Award in 1983 and 1984, and was the MP American Legion Outstanding Athlete in 1985. Kraig is also a member of the Mineral Point Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Kraig has fond memories of playing for Coach Ron Murphy and Coach Floyd Spoor – both of whom taught him character, respect, and encouraged him to always rise to the challenge. He remembers the phrase “Go make something happen!” being shouted from the sidelines, and he and his teammates often did. Kraig remembers the ’83 team being tough, focused, and hard working. They seemed to bring out the best in each other. Kraig stated, “Running out with those boys was pure adrenaline and that is why football was my favorite sport. I loved the game. There is nothing better than football.”
Kraig claims that his greatest accomplishment was marrying his wife, Bren, and their two beautiful daughters, Sierra and Mariah, that they raised here in Mineral Point. They now are fortunate to have two great son-in-laws, Kendrick and Mitchell, that decided to have their six grandchildren all raised as Pointers as well.