Friends of Marquette Athletics Award

Susan D. Thelen and Michael J. Thelen, Bus Ad ’83
Oconomowoc, Wis.

Mike and Sue Thelen define success as raising a strong family with a deep faith. They believe in using the gifts God has given them to their fullest. Mike and Sue worked to support young people to become successful through their involvement and support of St. Jude School, Marquette University High School and Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. They have also been involved with Catholic Charities, serving as foster parents to many children and families. Their children and two sons-in-law are all proud Marquette alumni.

Mike’s relationship with Marquette athletics began when he was in 6th grade and decided he wanted to attend Marquette University because of the success of the men’s basketball program. He made his childhood decision a reality, and he and Sue have bled blue and gold as men’s basketball season ticketholders for more than 35 years.

In his professional career, Mike exemplified the Jesuit concept of servant leadership as the founder and CEO of Steele Solutions, an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of highly complex work platform solutions for distribution facilities. Mike founded Steele Solutions in 1996. Since then, the company has acquired Tiffin Metal Products and expanded into three facilities in the Milwaukee area and one facility in Ohio.

Mike and Sue continue to serve the Marquette community in a myriad of ways. They are members of the Time to Rise Athletics Campaign Committee and the Men’s Basketball Excellence Fund. Mike served as a director of the Marquette Business Administration Alumni Association for more than five years. He and Sue are also supporters of the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility underway at Marquette and the new Men’s basketball practice facility. They assist student-athletes as founding contributors to the Be The Difference NIL Collective. Their three children and two sons in laws are all proud Marquette alumni: Catherine, Comm '11, TJ Kavanagh, Bus Ad ’11, Michael, Bus Ad '13, Margaret, Comm '16 and Patrick McGovern, Eng ’17.

Fun Facts:

Name someone (past or present) with whom you’d like to have dinner.
Winston Churchill.

What is one of your favorite Marquette memories?
Doc Rivers hitting the half-court shot to beat Notre Dame.

Leave a congratulatory message for Sue and Mike!