MARQUETTE — What looked like it would be the end of an era a few weeks ago has thankfully turned into a nearly seamless transition for the Upper Peninsula Football All-Star Game.
Earlier this month, Todd Goldbeck sent out an email to a wide range of media, football officials, contributors and others interested in high school football announcing that he was pulling back from organizing the game he began — technically he called restarting it — in 2008.
No arrangements had been made then to keep it going, but he left open that possibility.
Less than two weeks later, a savior of sorts came out of the woodwork in Dustin Brancheau, owner of AdvantEdge Sports Training in Marquette.
Brancheau said he would take over organization of the annual game — plus the events surrounding it — most often held in late June at the Superior Dome in Marquette.
This year’s edition was typical of the game, bringing 80 to 90 players and around 12 to 15 coaches from one end of the U.P. to the other to celebrate high school senior players who just graduated so that for most of them they could suit up with their game gear one more time before hanging it up for good.
In 2008, Goldbeck started a peninsula-wide all-star football game that hadn’t been held since 1950.
He not only organized a game, but a week full of activities leading up to the event, and later a draft of the players by game’s coaches several months before the game is played.
Goldbeck announced in a news release last week what happened soon after making his initial announcement.
“I am pleased to announce that the game will continue,” Goldbeck said. “In the past week, I have had several conversations with Dustin Brancheau, owner of AdvantEdge Sports Training in Marquette, about his desire to keep the game going and take it over.
“Dustin had the best interests of U.P. football in mind when he proposed to take the game over and ask for my help and endorsement. After these conversations, I am confident that Dustin will do a great job with the event moving forward. Please give him the same level of support that you gave me over the past 16 years.
“He will no doubt put his own signature on the game, so please be patient with him as he finds his way through the process. I will help him as much as he wants and needs, but there is no question that he is in charge now and will do things his own way.”
Brancheau gave his own take on his reasons for taking on this big task.
“The game falls in line with one of my major ‘whys’ at AdvantEdge — making sure U.P. athletes have opportunities to showcase what they can do,” Brancheau said. “Losing this game would mean missing out on that opportunity.
“It won’t be easy, it will be a team effort and we will lean heavily on the people and coaches that have been a part of this game from the start.”
He went on to say that Goldbeck’s expansion of the event into more than just a game requires “exceptional dedication … requiring (a) year-round effort.”
As one of only 10 Westside Barbell-certified gyms in the nation, Brancheau and AdvantEdge has been dedicated to helping athletes improve regardless of age, sport or ability.
Their most recent success story has to be former Northern Michigan University football player Jake Witt, who despite playing football for just two years collegiately, was able to get drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh and final round of this spring’s NFL Draft.
Brancheau envisions the all-star game continuing much along the lines that Goldbeck led it.
“Todd’s exceptional dedication has transformed this event into more than just an ‘all-star game.’ A weeklong extravaganza, it’s a testament to his year-round commitment and countless hours invested,” Brancheau said in the press release. “We’re proud to ensure the game’s legacy endures. U.P. athletes fuel our mission at AdvantEdge, making it natural for us to support and sustain the U.P. (Football) All Star Game.
“This isn’t a solo endeavor; local high school coaches and long-standing contributors will play vital roles in ensuring things are ran as smooth as possible.”
“Anticipation runs high as we keep this game alive.”
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