EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The UW-Eau Claire athletics program lost a long-time friend and volunteer with the passing of Jim "Curly" Mueller on June 18.

Mueller, who turned 87 earlier in June, was the first recipient of the Blugold Spirit Award which now bears his name. The award was established in 2010 to recognize a non-staff individual for long-term service to or support of the Blugold athletics program. The recipient must have demonstrated exemplary interest in and concern for Blugold student-athletes and coaches. Their pride and spirit as a friend and ambassador epitomizes the true meaning of a Blugold. That was Jim Mueller.

In 2001, Mueller also received a UWEC Honorary Alumnus Award. He retired in 1996 after 19 years of employment as a locksmith at UW-Eau Claire. As he was during his years of employment, Mueller remained an active volunteer at Blugold athletic events in most sports. Initially a volunteer host for visiting officials, Mueller also assisted in all aspects of athletic event management. He could be seen mopping the floor at halftime of a basketball game or hanging sponsorship signs prior to a home football game. He might also get the popcorn popping before the concession staff arrived. For many years, he also sponsored the Most Valuable Player awards for all Blugold teams. He helped Sean Yengo build the dugouts for the Blugold soccer field at Bollinger Field.

Up until the final week of his life, Mueller lived in the same house on the East Hill where he was raised following his birth at Luther Hospital. He spent time as a student on the university campus but worked professionally in the local trades at Hehl-Grohn Co., Gould Engine Parts Division, Valley Builders Hardware, Kleist and Fehr Concrete.

Although a bachelor his entire life, Mueller had many families in the area including Blugold softball, soccer and women's basketball. A health issue prevented Mueller from participating in sports but he was attached to the fastpitch softball and bowling scenes in Eau Claire. He was on the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Eau Claire Men's Bowling Association and Coach and President of the Eau Claire Junior Bowling Association. He was also involved with the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild as a cast member in various shows and helping to build numerous sets. He was a Charter Member of University Lutheran Church where he was a member of the constitution committee, served as congregation treasurer and sang in the choir.

Mueller co-chaired the State of Wisconsin Locksmiths Committee, was a member of the first UWEC Classified Staff Awards Committee and a member of the Building Committee for the Allied Health Building.

In addition, he was a member of the City of Eau Claire Board for Zoning and Appeals. He served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley and as a volunteer on their building committee.  He was also a long-time chair of Eau Claire Memorial's 1955 Class Reunion Committee.

Mueller included a bequest in his will for a contribution to the university's athletics program. At the time the James I. Mueller Fund was established, he said "My gift is a way to participate in Blugold athletics, which I've supported through my volunteer work and continue to enjoy.  I thought it would be nice to give back to the university where I earned my living."
 
Jim was a walking Eau Claire historian, according to long-time friend Tim Petermann, who was one of his drivers after he could no longer drive himself. "Jim loved to take drives around town to see new construction," said Petermann. "He could relate what used to be in the spot of a new building or who used to live there." Petermann also noted that Jim "seemed to know everyone and be a friend to everyone given his involvement in the local business trades, his involvement in the local theatre, his regular attendance at church, his work with the Boys and Girls Club and his interaction with coaches and athletes at the university, many of whom kept in contact with him after they left."

A visitation and celebration of life have been scheduled for Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel - Cremation Society in Altoona, Wis. More information can be found here.

Memorials in Jim's name can be made here: https://blugolds.uwec.edu/donate. Designate Fund 1378 or James I. Mueller Fund. Or make a donation to a specific athletics fund in Jim's name: https://blugolds.uwec.edu/campaign/athletics/c495767.