Marquette, MI – June 24, 2018 – The 11th Annual U.P. Football All-Star Game returns to Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome for another Red Team vs Black Team rivalry game. This summer football classic features high school seniors from all over the Upper Peninsula putting together two teams of students to play one final game. While the game is about the players, it also gives everyone a chance to give back to the community with proceeds going to multiple charities in the Upper Peninsula. This year, the players selected as all-stars were again drafted by the coaches, just like NFL fantasy football leagues and are either on the Red Team or the Black Team.
The draft took place on Saturday, March 18th at Buffalo Wild Wings in Marquette and was a very spirited event for everyone in attendance, coaches, players and media. The picks were also reported live on social media for all who want to follow the progress. The coaches from both teams were in attendance and did extensive research of all players, so they could put together the best team possible that fits their offensive and defensive schemes. Having the players “mixed” by the draft means not only will players be competing against traditional rivals from other schools, they might also be competing against players from their own school.
The game will be played in Marquette at the Superior Dome, on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Game time is set for 1 PM, with the doors opening at noon. Many activities are planned throughout the week for the players and coaches. If you can’t catch the game, tune in for the Pre-game Show at 12:30pm with Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau on 103.3 WFXD or 92.7 WRPP! All of the live play-by-play action hits the air waves at 1pm with kick off. Don’t forget you can also stream the game from your computer or smartphone at wfxd.com!
Monday, June 25, the players and coaches check in at Meyland/Magers Hall on NMU campus, and there will be a food drive for the Beacon House food pantry at the check-in location from 10 AM-Noon.
Tuesday evening, June 26, will be the team and individual pictures, as well as media day. Players and coaches will be available for interviews from any media that are present.
Wednesday afternoon, June 27, will be the Players Skills Challenge. The players will compete for the titles of Fastest Man, Strongest Man, Receiver, Quarterback Challenge, Kicking and Punting Challenges.
Tonight, the players and coaches will be visiting Bay Cliff Health Camp, which has become one of the signature events of All-Star Week. Bay Cliff is a summer camp for children with physical disabilities and the all-star players will spend time with the campers, showing them football drills, and finishing the day by having dinner with the Bay Cliff campers and staff. After dinner, the players join the campers in their traditional flag lowering ceremony at the central square, which ends each day at Bay Cliff and is very special to be a part of.
Friday evening, June 29, is the All-Star Banquet, with the guest speaker to be announced in the next few days. The banquet provides family and friends a chance to connect with the All-Star players after a long week of practice and activities. It is formal for the players, and they must take turns standing in front of everyone, introducing their roommate for the week, and telling everyone some things about their roommate. Players also get recognized for their accomplishments during the Skills Challenge and receive their All-Star Rings.
The U.P. Football All-Star Game will also be donating proceeds to the following U.P. charities: Beacon House, The U.P. Sports Hall of Fame, as well as Westwood and Menominee High Schools. A lottery drawing was performed to select the two schools, and donations will be made directly to the football program of those schools chosen. Each year, new schools will be chosen until all U.P. schools have received benefits from the game. Several other schools (Bark River-Harris, Gogebic, Ontonagon and West Iron County) will also receive donations in the form of All-Star Game equipment, including the practice jerseys and footballs.
Join us in supporting our U.P. High School Seniors and all of the charities the U.P. All-Star Game Supports!
To learn more, visit the official U.P. All-Star Website or follow them on Facebook.
Check out a live interview with Todd Goldbeck on The Sports Drive with Luke Ghiardi
See photos from the 2017 U.P. All-Star Football Game:
