As someone who grew up in the Midwest, I know a thing or two about why this region has such a solid sports scene.
While it has seen its share of bad luck—Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit anyone?—there have been some memorable things we can be proud of.
After digging deep to find what it actually is – and no, it's definitely not that video from our high school – we give you the ones Midwesterners should look up to and appreciate.
Although the small school located in Alliance, Ohio may “only” participate in Division III, there are many people in the area who are well aware of the Purple Raiders' dominance on the gridiron.
With 11 national titles claimed—including this one last season—Mount Union is something that all undersized high school football players strive for.
Who knows, they might be next Pierre Garcon?
With seven of the top-25 the drunkest cities from last year, one thing every Midwesterner knows is how to throw down some serious cool.
Whether it's to help drown the sorrows of a painful loss, to celebrate a big win, simply to stay warm through cold games, or because cities like St. Louis and Milwaukee home to two of the biggest breweries on the planet, beer tastes a little better when drunk in the Midwest.
And we all know sports and beer they go together like peanut butter and jelly.
We know there are other parts of the country where mustaches find their way onto many men's upper lips. It's just that in the Midwest, it's almost a must-have accessory.
While places like Los Angeles, New York, and Austin boast trendy, hipster staches, the beer-swilling, no-nonsense kids living in the Midwest's big cities wear them as a statement, not because they're trying to be. ironic.
Does anyone else remember when ESPN actually showed the “Great outdoor toys?“
If not, it was a competition that included events like fly fishing, tree topping and yes, even dog fetch events.
Displayed for six years—before it was canceled 2006—you can thank the Midwesterners for keeping the event on TV as long as it did.
I'm sure there are still people who are pissed off that they don't see which jersey-wearing competitor chopped the most wood in the shortest amount of time this year.
Thanks in part to the region's frozen lakes and endless winters, ice hockey remains one of the most popular sports.
While the Northeast has plenty of interest, Midwestern states like Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin absolutely bury the competition in terms of college hockey success, with a combined 38 NCAA titles only from these four states.
Wondering who the next great coaching legend will be?
It would be smart to stay within Ohio's borders because they have a pretty serious history of production good ones.
From World Series winners like Jim Leyland, to NCAA basketball and football titles under Bob Knight and Woody Hayes, the Buckeye State has to have something in the water to help mold a great coach.
Go ahead and win”not two, not three, not four…“NBA titles while in South Beach LeBron, but you'll never be loved – while hated at the same time – while you're at Ohio State.
It's obvious that Bron Bron is the most popular athlete on the planet, but trust us, every title he wins will always make him wonder what it would have been like if he'd done it in front of his hometowns.
The same cities that defended him before he found the clutch gene he now has, and the ones that burned him senseless Cavs jersey because he embarrassed them on national television.
For as much hate as is perceived towards him, there are certainly plenty of people who would see him back in 2014.
Highly regarded by most fans as one of the best sports movies always, Field of Dreams it hits home with so many Midwesterners because that's how many learned the game, so it's relevant to them.
Filmed in a corn field at Iowathe simplicity of the story and the focus on the father-son relationship make the film something that “farm kids” can really brag about.
Sure, the NFL continues to be the country's most popular sports, but just because we all like to play fantasy football and watch behemoths beat each other up doesn't mean everyone can appreciate the sport's Hall of Fame.
Everyone knows that when sports fans refer to “Canton,” they're talking about the Hall, but for those who put a visit to Cooperstown on their bucket list, it's surprising that more people don't flock to Canton to see it. busts—of registered players of course.
For Midwesterners though, it's only a short drive away.
Even when the schedule says it's April, that means nothing to Mother Nature, who is dishing out the ugly, cold weather throughout the Midwestern states when the MLB season opens.
For teams, this usually means frustrating delays and lots of empty seats.
For fans who actually show up, it means lots of layers, trips to the bathroom to run their hands under the dryer to warm them up and, most importantly, lots of swigs from a hidden flask.
Although James Naismith was born and raised in Canada—bet you didn't know this—the inventor of basketball made a name for himself while at the University of Kansas.
In founding the Jayhawks basketball program (of course) and coaching the team for seven seasons, Naismith actually had losing record about his career on the sidelines, but anyone from Kansas talks about the guy like he's a god—which, for the invention of hoops, he probably is.
Think, without him, it would never have existed”Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.“
For all of you out there who don't follow IndyCar, here's why the Indianapolis 500 is known as the greatest spectacle in racing.
First of all, it has the biggest seating capacity of any major sports stadium in the world, with a capacity of up to 400,000 with infield seating.
Second, it prides itself on Festival 500 parade, which may not be the Rose Bowl parade, but it's just as much fun.
And finally, the winner drinks a cold glass of milk to celebrate.
Come on, who the hell doesn't like some fresh milk after a 500 mile ride?
One thing every Midwest sports fan learns to deal with is disappointment.
There is Chicago — with its curse goat at Wrigley.
There's Detroit — which remains the city of Detroit, even if its sports teams have some success.
Then there's Cleveland — which, as anyone who grew up there can tell you, makes you learn at a young age that the only reason you'll ever cry is because of your sports teams.
What makes the Midwest so great is that the fans don't have it bougieness or self-righteousness of the bigger cities, but still maintain the same high expectations—only to be disappointed more often than not.
Go ahead and admit it: You despise the University of Notre Dame.
It is OK. Even if you're a devout Catholic, we're guessing you're willing to sacrifice your own religion to see the Golden Domers lose big.
Unfortunately, though, Midwesterners just can't let go, holding onto things like Touchdown Jesus.Playing like a champ today“and, of course, why the name Rudy it is even recognizable.
As someone who went to Kentucky but grew up in Ohio, I've seen the best of both worlds.
Ask Big Ten supporters their thoughts on any other conference in the country—especially the SEC—and you'll likely get nothing but a bunch of passionate people discussing why the conference's brand of athletics is the best.
Is true?
Probably not.
But Midwesterners aren't so quick to concede anytime soon.
