Foundation of the Front: The Story of Original Marauder Mike Jaskolski

Before conference titles, playoff runs, and record-setting offenses, University of Mary football was simply an idea—an upstart program trying to find its identity in the late 1980s.

Standing right in the middle of that early story was Mike Jaskolski.

An original member of the 1988 varsity team, Jaskolski became an imposing force on the Marauders defensive line, a team captain, and eventually a player good enough to earn NFL tryouts. His journey reflects both the grit of the early years and the kind of talent that helped put UMary football on the map.

From Pinedale to the Prairie

Jaskolski arrived at the University of Mary in 1988 from Pinedale, Wyoming as a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track.

It didn’t take long for his priorities—and his impact—to sharpen.

Recognizing his greatest potential was on the gridiron, Mike made the decision to focus solely on football. For a young program in just its first years of varsity competition, that decision proved critical.

Emerging as a Force on the Defensive Line

Over four seasons (1988–1991), Jaskolski became a mainstay on the defensive front:

• A four-year contributor on defense
• Earned All-North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC) honorable mention honors as a junior in 1990

But it was his senior season in 1991 that truly showcased his influence.

1991: Captain of the First Winning Team

The 1991 season marked a turning point not just for Mike, but for the entire program.

In just the fourth year of UMary football, the Marauders took a huge step forward:

• Finished with a 7–2 record
• Secured the first winning season in program history

As a team captain and the Marauders Defensive Player of the Year, Jaskolski was at the heart of that breakthrough.

His individual accolades matched the team’s success:

• NAIA All-American Honorable Mention
• All-NDCAC First Team selection

For a program still establishing itself, having a defensive lineman recognized at that level sent a clear message: there was serious talent in Bismarck.

Knocking on the NFL’s Door

Jaskolski’s combination of size, strength, and production earned attention far beyond the NDCAC.

After his college career, he received tryouts in the National Football League with:

• The Chicago Bears
• The New York Jets
• The Oakland Raiders

He also had an opportunity to play in the USFL. Unfortunately, injuries cut short each of those professional doors just as they were starting to open.

While his pro dreams were derailed, the very fact that he was on those radars spoke volumes about the level of player UMary was already developing in its early years.

Leaving His Mark in the Record Book

Even decades later, Jaskolski’s name still appears prominently in the Marauders record book:

• 227 career tackles – 4th in school history
• 19 career sacks – 6th all-time
• 27 tackles for loss – 7th in program history

For a player who anchored the line during the program’s formative years, those numbers underscore just how disruptive he was in the trenches.

Life After Football: Family, Energy, and Entrepreneurship

The son of Thomas and Melba Jaskolski, Mike studied business and physical education at the University of Mary before leaving school to pursue his professional football opportunities.

After football, he translated his work ethic into the energy sector and business:

• Owns and operates MJaz Consulting
• Works as a drilling fluids superintendent for EOG Resources in the oil fields of North Dakota and Wyoming

Mike lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with his wife Laurie Jaskolski. Together, they’ve raised four children:

• Ryan Reh – a U-Mary student and Marauders football cheerleader, continuing the family’s connection to the university
• Jordan Pivic
• Aspen Jaskolski
• Michael Jaskolski

A True Original in Marauder Football History

For today’s players and alumni, Mike Jaskolski represents the kind of foundational figure every program needs at the beginning:

• One of the first varsity Marauders
• A captain and Defensive Player of the Year on the first winning team
• A player whose talent drew the attention of NFL franchises
• A name still etched in the record book

Long before UMary football was known for conference titles and playoff appearances, it had players like Jaskolski—tough, committed, and determined to build something that would last.