Pair of Lathrop Malemutes announce collegiate commitments

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Two Lathrop Malemutes have signed their National Letter of Intent (NLI) for collegiate athletics. Hannah Aemisegger will play women’s soccer for Roanoke College. Earl Parker is headed to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas for football.

“I actually started goalkeeping right when I first started playing the sport,” stated Aemisegger. “It was mostly because everyone else had good foot skills, and I figured I’d been using my hands longer than I’ve been using my feet, so I’ll try it out.”

The Aemisegger family is used to moving. Her father, Kyle is a member of the U.S. Army. For her, the big move from Fairbanks to Virginia never seemed too daunting.

“I think because I grew up in a military family, the only consistent thing I’ve known is inconsistency,” Hannah laughed. " I’ve never been afraid to go far, because I’ve never really had a home where a place is. It’s more so the people.”

Even though the physical move to Roanoke will be something relatively easy, the relationships left behind will not be an easy goodbye. “It’s really special because I know that not everybody is given this opportunity. So, I just really want to make everyone proud with what I do.”

During NLI signings, the parents are proud of their child for reaching another step in their athletic career, but have to face the reality of their child leaving the home, while they stay. Luckily for Kyle Aemisegger, he found a silver lining.

“Since she went to Roanoke, Virginia, I decided to look for a job since I’m retiring from the military. I signed a contract with a private practice group in Roanoke, Virginia,” announced Kyle Aemisegger. “So, I will be following Hannah,” creating laughter from those in attendance.

The Roanoke Maroons are a NCAA Division III institution competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Hannah intends on studying Health Sciences.

Earl Parker is a dual-sport star for Malemutes football and basketball. The time finally came for Parker to pursue one path, deciding on football. Parker recalls the pull to football really took shape this past summer putting in the work with his coaches and friends.

“It was me, my best friends, Kaine, Kobe, and Marlon,” said Parker. “We would just get there and put in work everyday. It started changing.”

In the world of junior college football, it’s a space for student-athletes to develop and improve their game with aspirations to play at a higher level. Hutchinson was the NJCAA national runner-up last season, and the Blue Dragon program sent 34 players to higher levels including 13 Power 5 schools (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC).

“I’m that playmaker,” Parker claimed as his mentality on the field. “Someone you can depend on to make that big time play and get things done.”

This might come as a surprise to many that might not be too familiar with Malemutes football, but Parker has only been playing for two years. In that time, Parker has been an integral part of Lathrop’s offense and defense helping the Malemutes win back-to-back state championships.

“It means everything to be honest,” mentioned Parker. “Especially with my younger brother is crazy. It’s a once in a lifetime type of thing.”

Parker will not be like Aemisegger. He’ll be leaving his family in Alaska when he goes to Kansas.

“They always have my back,” stated Parker. “Especially my mom. She’s been in my corner since day one, helped guide me and give me strength for my decision, and always been able to tell me what to do right.”

Parker intends to study Biological Science in college. Immediately, Earl will join a program that is striving for a national championship. The Blue Dragons had a perfect, 11-0 record going into the 2022 championship game against Iowa Western, but were handed a 31-0 loss. Parker will hopefully bring that championship magic to Hutchinson, Kansas.

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