08/28/2026
Dean Osterman is the Ultimate Teammate.... I've thought about writing this for a year..Dean doesn't seek attention.. this story needs to be shared. In 1977 I moved to Baraga , Dean was 10.. I'm 13 years older.. Mike and Lynn Osterman became my very good friends and are his parents. Mike and I drank beer, hunted, fished, went to games and Lynn worked at the school I did.. 8 th grade thru 10, I was his teacher. Dean played basketball, football and track and I was involved in coaching him. He is the very best TEAMMATE.. Leader by example and intensity. He always played so hard ..became a good basketball player, in football his was slightly undersized, his heart wasn't and he was the hardest hitter and smart.. During track season, I worked out with Dean and pole vaulted with him. I held the NHS record at 12' 6" , Dean to this day has the Baraga All time record. I love that. I played fast pitch softball for many years in Mqt Co.. Dean would ride with me on occasion and watch..more on that later.. Dean went on to NMU and played football and became an All Conference DB.. The Cat Man .. Loved following his career.. I became the AD in Baraga, Brian Sarvello, head coach, wanted me to hire him and he became D coordinator. Dean took us to a State Championship game at the Silverdome. Without him , that would not have happened..At the end of my softball career, I joined Selkey/Sidetrack..Deano was just beginning his career and was already very good ..That year we won some local tourneys , won the UPs and represented our area in Lansing at the State Finals...I became the Mqt Ad and Dean and I only saw each other on occasion for 25 years..10 years ago we both were playing in the Wed nite men's league. We both started golfing a lot more and both played each other many times. It was intense. As it should be..3 summers back we began playing in golf tournaments together..Dean and I have won 5 tournaments together..I thank him every time for allowing me the opportunity..Scott, myself and Dean are my favorite golf team ever to play with. 4 years back I asked Dean to head up Groundskeeping..he said no, I have family, businesses and lots to do..4 years later, here we still are..if u don't have a course , u don't have a club..Dean is a huge reason we are successful...He has sacrificed his time and energy. Ultimate Teammate..We have endured and been thru hard, hard days here. We have fought thru each and every one. He has talked me off the cliff a few times. ..He loves this place like no other. Most important to me..I have told him recently. Look at the family u and Sheila have raised .. Fantastic young adults. That is the hardest job ever..I admire that the most. Dean Osterman, I thank u from the bottom of my heart. Coach K..