Northern Michigan University will hold open tryouts for this fall’s football team at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, on the floor indoors at the Superior Dome.

The Wildcats are attempting to win their first game under Richardson, who took over prior to the 2023 season and has gone 0-11 each year.

However, last season, NMU played visiting Roosevelt to a 10-10 regulation tie before falling 16-10 in overtime in the dome.

Of course, for these tryouts only eligible students at the university can become football team members. To be allowed to participate in this tryout, a student must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours this fall semester and have good academic standing.

Northern Michigan University’s Nico Lukkarinen runs for daylight in the Wildcats’ homecoming football game against Alma at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Sept. 21, 2024. Lukkarinen is a graduate of Negaunee High School, where he starred for the Miners. (Photo courtesy NMU)

In addition, prospective players must submit several pieces of documentation:

• Documentation of a physical exam, conducted within the last six months prior to the start of the season, by a licensed M.D. (medical doctor), D.O. (osteopathic doctor), P.A. (physician’s assistant/associate) or N.P. (nurse practitioner).

• Completed and signed a Pre-Participation Form.

• Proof of sickle cell testing. All prospective student-athletes must provide documentation of this test from a certified laboratory.

• A signed Consent to Treat Form and a signed Assumption of Risk Form.

Each of these necessary forms are available at the NMU athletics website, www.nmuwildcats.com, specifically at https://nmuwildcats.com/documents/2023/8/17/Tryout_Information.pdf?elinkdata=%40ELINKDATA%40.

The form can also be accessed at the NMU athletics website from the home page by looking under “Sports” and clicking on “Football,” then clicking on the news release “Football to host open tryout on August 27,” and finally clicking on the blue hyperlink in the middle of the release (the word “here”).

Those interested in the tryouts must contact NMU football assistant coach Elijah Fernandez by email at efernand@nmu.edu to secure a spot. Required documentation must be submitted a week prior to the tryouts, which is this Wednesday.

Participants should bring their own cleats and workout gear. Note that NMU reserves the right to disallow participation if there are concerns regarding the safety of any prospective student-athlete.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the event. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.