Football team honors special alumni from '40s and '50s

HANCOCK — A special honor is planned for the opening game of one Copper Country high school football team.

When the Hancock Bulldogs take the field this Friday night for their opening game, they are going to be cheered on by fans who wore their uniforms as many as seven decades ago.

Hancock players from the 1940’s and 50’s are invited to come out to the game to be recognized at halftime.

Hancock Football Head Coach Ted Holmstrom said, “Friday night we play Lake Linden and we celebrate, really, a rich history of Hancock Bulldog football. We’ve played football here at Hancock for over 100 years. So, when you’re part of that tradition, you’re part of that brotherhood. It’s a very powerful thing and we’re trying to celebrate that event.”

The community is encouraged to come out and congratulate these past players as well as support the 32 boys on the 2016 team. Though McAfee Field is a major upgrade, players, past and present, all played at this same location.

Hancock Athletic Hall of Fame member Ken Seaton said, “The field back then was—it appeared to be primarily gravel and dirt. There was grass around the edges. I don’t remember them planting new grass at any time while I was playing, so it was considerably different than this great artificial turf that they’ve got now.”

Kickoff is Friday at 7pm.