Marquette, MI – June 23rd, 2026 – Today on the Big Local Sports Show, we were joined by Travis Hongisto, president of U.P. Chaos Fastpitch Softball and head coach of the organization’s 13U team.
During the first segment, Hongisto shared the history of U.P. Chaos and discussed how the program has continued to grow throughout the Upper Peninsula. He also reflected on the organization’s recent second annual home tournament, highlighting the team’s performance, the countless hours that go into planning and hosting a successful event, and what lies ahead for Chaos teams during the remainder of the summer season.
The conversation then shifted to the coaching side of the game. Hongisto discussed the expectations he has for his athletes, what a typical gameday looks like, and the importance of building a strong team culture. He also talked about team-bonding activities, developing leadership skills, and how creating a positive environment helps players succeed both on and off the field. To close out the interview, Hongisto explained how families can get involved with U.P. Chaos and how community members can support the organization through volunteering.
Click the link to listen to the full show!
Looking ahead to next week’s Big Local Sports Show, we’ll be joined by Bernie Anderson, one of the most accomplished figures in Upper Peninsula sports history.
Anderson guided Ishpeming to a state football championship in 1979 and later became the winningest head football coach in Michigan Tech history, leading the Huskies from 1987 to 2005. He also spent six seasons on the coaching staff at Northern Michigan University from 2006-11. During his first year in Marquette, Anderson hired current NFL head coach Matt LaFleur for his first full-time coaching position, helping launch one of football’s most notable coaching careers.
His accomplishments extend beyond the sidelines. As a wrestler at Northern Michigan, Anderson was a four-time NCAA Division II national qualifier from 1975-78 and earned All-America honors in 1976 with a fifth-place national finish. He ranks ninth in program history with 78 career victories and remains one of the most successful wrestlers in Wildcat history.
The Big Local Sports Show will be live from Slabz Bar and Grill next Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. If you can’t make it in person, you can listen on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1 and 99.9, catch the replay at 6:00 p.m. on 97.5 GTO, or watch the show streamed live on the mediaBrew Communications Facebook page.
