Chris Wooley ’90
Chris Wooley ’90 ranks among the greatest scorers in the history of Lake Superior State men’s basketball. During a legendary four-year career, he established himself as one of the premier players in the GLIAC, combining outstanding shooting ability with remarkable consistency to solidify his place among the greatest players in program history.
Wooley finished his career with 1,861 points, ranking third in program history at the time of his Hall of Fame induction after holding second place on the all-time scoring list for 28 years. He also ranks fourth in career field goals made and averaged 16.7 points per game over his four-year career, establishing himself as one of the most prolific scorers in Laker history.
His finest scoring season came in 1988-89, when he totaled 614 points while setting a Lake Superior State single-season record with 96 three-point field goals, a mark that stood for 36 years. His 230 total field goals that season rank seventh in program history, while his 247 field goals in 1987-88 rank third, giving Wooley two of the top seven single-season field goal totals in Laker history.
Nationally recognized for his scoring ability, Wooley averaged 21.9 points per game during the 1988-89 season, ranking 35th nationally in NCAA Division II. On December 21, 1988, he earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors after scoring 47 points in a 117-107 victory over St. Mary’s College, one of the most memorable individual performances in program history.
Wooley’s accomplishments earned him First Team All-GLIAC honors in 1989 and 1990 and Second Team NABC All-North Central District recognition in 1989. He also held the Lake Superior State single-season record for three-point field goals (96) until 2025 and the single-game record for three-pointers made (eight) until 2009. His remarkable scoring ability and record-setting performances established him as one of the greatest offensive players in Laker basketball history.
Reflecting on his time at Lake Superior State, Wooley credits the people and relationships he found on campus for making his experience so memorable. “My connection to LSSU began when Coach Bob Eldridge recruited me and my St. Martin DePorres High School teammate, David Greenwood, from Detroit,” Wooley said. “During my visit, I met Tony Avant, who immediately took me under his wing and made me feel at home. That welcoming spirit made my decision to become a Laker an easy one.”
Wooley added, “The friendships I built at LSSU have lasted a lifetime. David, Rick Gray, and I were roommates for most of our college careers, and we remain close friends today. I also continue to cherish my friendships with Tony Avant and many of my teammates from the 1986-90 teams. Those relationships are just as meaningful to me as any accomplishment on the basketball court.”
Wooley has built a successful career in law enforcement while making his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, Hillary, since 2001. Married for 29 years, the Wooleys have two children, William and Maya. William is completing his degree in Optometry at Midwestern University in Chicago, while Maya lives in Ann Arbor and is pursuing a career as a radiography technician. As a family, they enjoy traveling together, with Iceland and Italy among their favorite destinations, and spending summers RV camping along Michigan’s lakes. Wooley also appreciates the longstanding support of his mother, Marian, and his sister, Monica. The Wooleys share their home with two Jack Russell terriers, Rosie and Nellie.