When college basketball’s March Madness rolls around — the NCAA’s men’s Sweet Sixteen play starts today, the women’s side on Friday — Connor Sports gets a chance to be in the spotlight.

The Crystal Falls-based company provides the hardwood courts for the tournaments, made from sugar maple harvested in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. It’s thought the trees from this part of the country have the strongest characteristics to hold up over time, a company spokesman told Jeffrey Bonior for an article in Alliance for American Manufacturing, https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/that-hardwood-court-under-the-march-madness-game-youre-watching-is-american-made/.

Not unlike the people of the region.

This week, Connor Sports provided information that further points up how a small company has given the U.P. a nationwide presence in elite college basketball.

Of the 68 men’s teams that advanced to NCAA Division I tournament play, 47 — or 66% — of the top collegiate basketball programs play or practice at their home campuses on Connor Sports courts, according to a company news release.

Equally represented are 47 women’s D1 teams — or 69% — of all NCAA tournament schools that practice or compete at home on Connor Sports’ courts.

“Connor Sports is the preferred hardwood basketball court brand for men’s and women’s college basketball programs across the nation, and it has been inspiring to watch student-athletes who honed their skills on our courts competing in the NCAA tournaments,” said Benjamin Bachman CEO, Gerflor North America/Connor Sports.

Connor Sports also touted its environmental responsibility, noting — 

— In 2009, an independent environmental engineering firm audited and designated Connor Sports a “Zero Waste Company.” 

— As a member of the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association, or MFMA, Connor adheres to that organization’s strict grading and quality standards.

— Maple hardwood used in the courts is from a renewable resource, with the U.S. growing six times more hardwood than is harvested each year.

— Connor recycles 100% of its waste material and offers Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood. The FSC mark represents products from well-managed forests. 

— Connor was the first MFMA member to be certified by the Rainforest Alliance and is the only independently certified Zero Waste sports flooring manufacturer.

Not bad for a company with 145 employees manufacturing floors in an Iron County community of about 1,600 residents.

So, Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, if you’re watching either or both NCAA tournaments, know that the courts the players are competing on were not so long ago maples in a forest not far from you. That no matter the teams in the tournament — and yes, Iron Mountain native Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans are still dancing, his 17th Sweet Sixteen appearance in 31 seasons — the Upper Peninsula will always be represented all the way through to the championship.

Thanks, Connor Sports, for putting the region on the map for one of the country’s premier annual sporting events.