U.P. All-Star Football banquet

The U.P. Football All-Stars will play against one another tomorrow afternoon.

But before the game, the players got together with their coaches, family, and friends for a banquet Friday night inside the University Center at Northern Michigan University.

There was plenty of great food and conversation happening throughout the evening.

After the players entertained the crowd talking about their roommates for the week, Jeff Olson, the head coach of the East Team, took the stage and gave the keynote address.

Last year was a difficult year for Olson. He explained how the lessons he learned in football years ago helped him get through it all.

“I believe that if you go through something tough in your life, if you go through something hard, its going to be easier when something negative or challenging or important comes about in your life, and that’s why you learn so much playing football,” Olson said.

A highlight clip of the Detroit Loyola vs. Ishpeming game was played for the crowd prior to Olson’s speech.

The week concludes on Saturday with the U.P. All-Star game, which starts at 3pm inside the Superior Dome.