The floors that will be used are made in the U.P.
AMASA -- Fans across the U.P. will likely root for Michigan State to get to the Final Four of this year's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Regardless of who wins, though, the U.P. will be an essential part of this year's event.
Connor Hardwood Courts makes basketball floors for schools and teams across the world, including for the men's and women's Final Four.
The portable floors are built by U.P. workers in the Amasa plant.
"We've got a portable floor that we put out, four by eight panels that's a quick lock system,” said Plant Manager Conrad Stromberg. “The entire floor can be put down and taken up in about two to three hours time.
We can say that this, the Final Four floors are made entirely in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan."
The 125 employees work on every aspect of the wood, from its arrival to the sorting and bundling. From there the wood is designed into portable sports floors that workers take pride in.
"It's mind boggling to me,” said worker Todd Bociek. “To some people they take it for granted I guess but to actually see our floor out there and the athletes performing on them and that they are satisfied with them is nice to know."
The three million board feet on the property may see like a lot but 300,000 feet are manufactured every week.
Floors are sent out to local high schools like West Iron, Crystal Falls, and Watersmeet as well as professional teams like the Boston Celtics.
Like his workers, Stromberg takes pride in the floors and the recognition it brings the U.P.
"We're proud that in the small town of Amasa we're able to supply floor that go out to the NCAA's and even to professional basketball teams,” he said.
You can see all the action on the homemade floors during the men's and women's Final Four in April.
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