Upper Peninsula and ESPN

Having the Upper Peninsula and ESPN in one blog is a little strange, to say the least. Honestly, what could the two have in common? The only notable sports entity up here is Northern Michigan University, which has a division one hockey program and faces off against the likes of Michigan State and the University of Michigan (and a varitey of other sports while competing in division two). But the college hockey season is long over with. Some of our golf courses up here have gained national recognition within the past few years ... maybe that's it? Maybe Tiger Woods is going to play and the Greywall's course in Marquette? Now wouldn't that be exciting. But unfortunately that's not the reason why the two are connected. Maybe it has something to do with the Detroit Pistons coming up to Marquette in June for a youth basketball camp, the first time they've ever done so. That ain't it, either. Getting sick of the guessing games? Alright ... here's the real reason why ESPN and the Upper Peninsula hold a bond:



Yep, the Upper Peninsula and Yoopers mentioned in an iconic Sportscenter commercial. The baseball player featured in the commercial is Joe Mauer, a catcher for the Minnesota Twins. As he said in the commercial, he's originally from Minnesota. Seems to me he's pretty familiar with the U.P. and it's people. Makes me wonder if he's ever visited? Have you ever wondered if any famous celebrities may have visited the area where you live? Or possibly they weren't famous before they became a celebrity. It's kind of fun to think about. I've heard stories about Madonna owning a camp out on Lake Michigamme, the Rolling Stones coming to Marquette to be at a funeral for a former band member, Detroit Tigers legend Kirk Gibson visiting the U.P. numerous times in the winter to go snowmobiling, and various other stories. Most people living in the Upper Peninsula are probably well aware that the classic 1959 movie "Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed in the Marquette and Big Bay area. Movie icons Jimmy Stuart and George C. Scott were among the cast that were part of the movie. Some of Marquette's famous landmarks from the past and present appeared in the movie, and some of those buildings exist to this day.

So yes, the Upper Peninsula receives a little bit more notoriety in this most recent ESPN Sportscenter ad. ESPN helped to make the Watersmeet Nimrods famous earlier in the decade for their most unusual sports mascot name. And now, they are helping to recognize the region as a whole. I know, for most areas of the country this 30 second ad wouldn't be that big of a deal. But for an area that's beautiful and great for the outdoors, yet population-challenged, this was fun to see. And the nice part is, we'll likely see that ad for quite awhile for the next couple of months until a new Sportscenter ad is created. We'll enjoy the notoriety while we can.