HANCOCK – When Finlandia University announced its plans to begin football this fall, they emphasized that the Upper Peninsula would be the primary area to recruit from.

FU has made good on that promise. Of the approximately 60 players on the roster, one-half of those hail from the U.P.

“That was one of our first goals …. to give local and U.P. athletes a chance to compete in Division III football, Finlandia Athletic Director and Hancock native Chris Salani commented this week. “It has worked out very well, as you can tell by the results.”

Head coach Tim Driscoll, a Marquette High product, says local recruiting has to be the main source of players. “Of course, we’ve recruited some good kids from outside the U.P.” he said. “But the base of our program is going to come from up here.”

Salani said the U.P. has produced some excellent athletes over the years.

“There’s some really good football played up here. I think that’s been proven by how well our teams have done in the state playoffs over the years,” he pointed out. “Our hope is to tap into that talent pool.”

Driscoll, who’s came over from Michigan Tech where he was the defensive coordinator, said the FU program is providing local kids a chance to play college football.

“There are kids who aren’t ready to play at Division II football,” he said. “But we feel we have some who can compete and do well at the D-3 level.”

Salani starting a football program from scratch wasn’t easy. “There were a ton of logistics to do,” he said. “But having a facility like McAfee Field already here was a huge plus.”

As far as being competitive in the inagural season, Driscoll said time will tell.

“Right now, our coaches are pleased with the progress being made in fall drills,” he said. “But you can’t really tell until you get on the field against teams that have juniors and seniors on their roster.”

One of those opponents will be opening game foe Alma College, which has been playing intercollegiate football for 128 years. The Scots will visit here on Sept. 5.

Another team on the Lions’ schedule is Wisconsin-Whitewater — the defending Division III national champion. FU visits the Warhawks on Sept. 19.

“We’re aware how good UW-Whitewater is,” Driscoll noted. “But right now, we’re focused strictly on playing Alma College …. and nothing else.”

The Finlandia roster has Copper Country players from Hancock, Lake Linden-Hubbell, Baraga and Ewen-Trout Creek.

Even the Lions coaching staff has a definite U.P. flavor, all having connections with the U.P. “That’s another thing we like …. the coaches being familiar with the U.P., ” Salani said. “That can only help.”