The Marathon Cup remains one of the great traditions to bring local sport and community together.

Tonight the 2024 edition of the Marathon Cup begins with semifinals between Wausau West and Mosinee followed by D.C. Everest and East-Merrill United. Over the more than 40 years that this tournament has been staged one thing always becomes crystal clear: this tourney brings the community together. I know this firsthand in different ways. I have been attending the Marathon Cup as a spectator or broadcaster for about 40 years. When I went to school at D.C. Everest, I and my friends would get to Marathon Park to see the “Cup” every year. I still remember the night that longtime D.C. Everest Athletic Director Jack Overgaard grabbed my arm to stop my enthusiastic “sieve” chant towards a goalie who had just let in a goal. Since 2002 each year, except 1, I have broadcast the event from Greenheck Fieldhouse. These games are different from any other games played during the season. Just having all four fan bases at the same venue adds a special energy that isn’t seen at other regular season games.

It isn’t just the hockey but the four programs each “compete” to see who can raise the most in the “Hockey Against Hunger” fundraiser that is part of the Marathon Cup. Something else stands out in this era. The importance of high school sports generally in a time where it seems like it’s always “Packers”, “Badgers”, “Brewers”. There used to be stories in the newspaper each day on a different area high school team or athlete or coach that would connect the community to their area teams and student-athletes. With the demise of the Herald we don’t see that as much anymore. We try to do that with longer interviews on the “Big High School Sports Show” but it isn’t like it was when I was first going to the Marathon Cup. However, the energy that is felt each year at the Cup shows it is still important for central Wisconsin communities to come out and support their teams. It doesn’t always have to be staying home to watch the state pro or college teams. We can join together with our friends, families, neighbors and be in the crowd together.

If you haven’t been to a Marathon Cup now is the time. Tonight and Saturday with games at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm at Greenheck/Turner Community Center. Be there and don’t forget to bring food and hygiene products as part of “Hockey Against Hunger.”