Fort Lewis College Athletics

James Michael "Mike" Waite played four years of football for Fort Lewis College in a rather roundabout way. As a center, guard and linebacker, he lettered for the junior college Aggies in 1957 and 1958, earning All-America honors the second season.

Then, in 1963-after a brief stint at Brigham Young University and a two-year mission for the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, plus a six-month tour of duty in the Army Reserves-he returned to play his final two years of collegiate football for the four-year Fort Lewis Raiders.

Mr. Waite received the Lineman of the Year award in 1963 and the Raider of the Year award in 1964 while playing for coach Lou Cullen.

Mr. Waite graduated from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor of science degree in 1965. He went into the family plumbing business two years later, and operated M&R Plumbing in Farmington, N.M., with his brother.