Alex “Askie” Askenette

Alex Askenette was born on March 19, 1922. The Askenette name was a very old Menominee name meaning “Survivor, the only one left.”

While attending Haskell, Askie started boxing. He was the Golden Gloves champion at Haskell in 1939 and at Emporia, KS in 1941. In 1947, he was the Golden Gloves champion in Marshfield, WI.

Soon after he became the coach of the Menominee boxers. A number of his boxers have been inducted into the NAIAHF including his son Louie, and Lew Boyd and Jim Caldwell.

For ten years he worked with the Menominee Police and coached highly successful Menominee boxers, ending in 1967.

Askie was also a national leader in boxing circles. A bid was accomplished for a berth in the 1974 National AAU for an all-Indian National Championship. He was appointed the regional director of the National Indian Activities Association that coordinated the program. He was also a commissioner with the AAU.

The legacy of Alex “Askie” Askenette as one of the true leaders of Menominee boxing started a wave of new leadership that continues to bring acclaim to the Menominee youth.