Ishpeming School District pumped with Hematite pride

ISHPEMING — The entire Ishpeming Public School District gathered at the W.C. Peterson Auditorium to wish the best for the Hematite football team.

The Ishpeming Hematite football team is heading to Ford Field for the 4th year in a row, and on Tuesday, Ishpeming students from K–12 came to show off their Hematite Pride.

“Our entire district will be in attendance today which is about 900 students,” said I.H.S. Principal Vicki Lempinen, “we love having the Birchview students. They bring lots of energy and excitement.”

They certainly did that, providing cheers of enthusiasm for all of their players, including starting quarterback Ozzy Corp.

And while the players feed off of the energy from their fellow Hematite’s, they take pride in being positive role models for the younger students.

“It’s amazing having all of the support,” said I.H.S. Quarterback Ozzy Corp, “all the young kids look up to you and it’s nice knowing they have your back. It feels awesome, you just have to do things right and teach them the way of a Hematite.”

“To see this whole school district, all the kindergarteners on up making noise, having passion for what we do and then taking some pride in it themselves it’s phenomenal,” said Ishpeming Head Coach Jeff Olson, “and it puts a smile on your face.”

“We love our team because they’re good kids,” said 4th Grade Student Hunter Smith, “they have good grades and they’re just plain out awesome.”

Ishpeming will face Pewamo–Westphalia this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ford Field in Detroit. ABC Ten will make the trip with the Hematites as they try to bring another state title back to the U.P.