NMU/MTU GAME BALL RUN

HISTORY OF THE GAME BALL RUN

Originated in 2004 by Major Kyle Rambo when he was the pms for Michigan Tech. NMU and MTU wanted to have something to compete over so they came up with the Miners Cup. The original name for the cup was going to be the Copper Cup however the mines in Marquette were not copper mines. The name was then going to be changed to Iron Cup how that did not work with the mines in Houghton.They agreed on the Miners Cup and the cup is passed to the winning football team each year.  The game ball run is a part of the tradition that symbolizes partnership between NMU and MTU.

NMU/MTU GAME BALL RUN 2009

            

    At 12:00am, on September 19, 2009, the Northern Michigan Wildcat Battalion stepped off on their 50 mile journey to Tioga Creek Roadside Park.  This park marks the halfway point between Marquette, home of the wildcats, and Houghton, home of the huskies.  In preparation for the 1:00 pm kickoff between the two rivals, both battalions ran the game ball halfway, having six hours each to make the 50 mile trip, a total of 100 miles.  NMU’s team consisted of 11 runners, each running at least 4 miles a piece in intervals of 1 mile throughout the night.  MTU’s team consisted of 11 members resulting in each member to run 4 miles as well. 

    This trek took off from the Superior Dome, down Third Street, right onto Washington, and finally a right onto US 41, leaving the rest of the long haul to be on this road.  For the first 15 miles, NMU safety and Marquette counties’ sheriff escorted the runners along the road.  Spectators were excited to see the game ball leaving Marquette and the beginning of the biggest game of the year.

       For NMU and MTU, this mark the sixth year of the ball run, which began in 2004.  Historically, the NMU/MTU game has been the largest game of the year, attracting many fans on both sides.  Each year, just as the location of the game is changed, so does the battalion which runs the first lag of the trip.  NMU had the honor this year of starting this years  tradition on home ground. 

       Cadets equipped with water, energy bars, and confidence were proud to support their football team and deliver the game ball to MTU’s battalion.  As the last half mile of NMU’s half was performed, the entire team ran the ball and handed it off to MTU, making it to MTU’s team at 6:00am.  A successful, but yet tiring night/day by both battalions, ended with the game ball making it to MTU’s campus just in time for kickoff.

Cadets Who participated this year:

• Gemme

• Linsmeyer

• Crockett

• Tarvainen

• Sanders

• Pfiester

• Skrzypszunski

• Eely

• Folgert

• Ingamells

• Marciniak