Former West Iron County star Max Maloney gives a thumbs up on his Michigan Tech football career.

By BURT ANGELI

Sports Writer

IRON RIVER — Max Maloney’s five seasons with Michigan Tech football?

“Grateful and thankful” sums up the college football career of the former West Iron County High School star.

Sure, a few more team wins and individual stats would have been nice. But all in all, Maloney wouldn’t trade the experience.

*I will always have great memories of being a Husky and Michigan Tech football,” said Maloney, a defensive lineman.

As for highlights, helping Tech beat rival Northern Michigan and keeping the Miner’s Cup stay in Houghton for five years ranks right up there.

“The Tech-NMU rivalry is as big as they come and both teams always showed up with their ‘A’ game,” said Maloney, noting the Huskies had secured the Miner’s Cup for five consecutive years before his first training camp in fall of 2015. “I promised that under my watch for the next five years it would stay home.”

Tech accomplished that goal in September by beating NMU 24-20 for the 10th consecutive win. One of Tech’s five wins with Maloney came in double overtime and another was settled by a blocked field on the last play of the game.

Maloney’s Wykons made the state playoffs but never traveled below the bridge. Maloney and the Huskies crossed into Lower Michigan many times for games.

“I got to play in some of the nicest football stadiums in the GLIAC (conference),” said Maloney, son of Denise and Pete Maloney. “I played at Grand Valley in front of over 20,000 people with cannons firing. I played in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri. I saw lots of great things and had great times traveling.”

Maloney appreciated seeing family and friends, along with former Wykons, at home and away games. A Tech teammate was linebacker John Paramski, a former Newberry star.

“That meant a lot,” Maloney said of the fan support. “I am thankful for my family — parents, grandparents, sisters, many other relatives that came together every week — that supported me and showed up every week on game day. I will remember it forever.

“I loved getting to play Husky football with my cousin John and being teammates as well as cousins and us playing where my Uncle Pete (Paramski) played.”

Pete Paramski was a former Forest Park standout.

Maloney earned UP Defensive Player of the Year and all-state honors during a great WIC career with head coach Mike Berutti. Michigan Tech, then led by Coach Tom Kearly, recruited Maloney.

Maloney was redshirted in 2015 when the Huskies finished 7-3. He was named the defensive scout team player of the year.

“Sherman Field and Kearly Stadium will always be one of my favorite places,” Maloney said.

Over the past two seasons, Maloney played in 21 games and posted 26 tackles.

“I am grateful for my Wykon football coaches for helping me to get to this level,” said Maloney. “I love Nelson. Field, being a Wykon and all the support from my hometown.

“I am grateful to Coach Kearly for seeing potential in me and recruiting me and to all the Tech football coaches and trainers who helped me to be successful at the college level.

“I loved being a Husky. I loved meeting so many teammates that became lifelong friends.”

Maloney is also thankful for a Michigan Tech education. After he graduates in May with a civil engineering degree, Maloney has got a job lined up with a private engineering and surveying company based out of Rochester Hills.