“It’s Pretty Neat”

When the Florida Panthers earned their first-ever National Hockey League championship in June 2024, it was a huge win for them—and for USM. That’s because Bill Zito ’82, the Panthers’ general manager and president of hockey operations, is a USM alumnus and former USM and Milwaukee Winter Club (MWC) youth hockey player.

As a tribute to his alma mater and hometown, Zito brought the iconic Stanley Cup home to USM and other spots around Milwaukee in August 2024. Members of the USM hockey and MWC youth hockey communities were invited to campus to meet Zito and get their photos taken with the trophy. “It’s pretty neat that somebody from USM can win the Stanley Cup,” said Zito. “It’s possible. It’s real. And it’s a lot of fun.”