The George Gipp Memorial Park includes a monument (right photograph) with a plaque (above photograph) at the top with Mr. Gipp’s date of birth and death.

In the small town of Laurium, in the Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula, there is a small park that pays tribute to former football great George 'the Gipper' Gipp.

The Calumet High School standout had a promising football career before he died suddenly of pneumonia and strep throat.

Born February 18, 1895, ‘the Gipper' played semi-pro baseball for the Calumet Aristocrats and received a baseball scholarship to Notre Dame as a 21-year-old freshman. Coach Knute Rockne recruited him for football after watching Gipp punt the football to friends on campus. The legendary coach for the Fighting Irish gave him the chance at runningback. Gipp took advantage and played himself into the record books at Notre Dame, including a single season average of 8.10 yards per carry in 1920 while earning Walter Camp's Outstanding Football Player Award.

During his final game in November 1920, the Fighting Irish defeated Northwestern 33-7. December 19, 1920, George Gipp died with Coach Rockne at his side.

The famous “win one for Gipper” story goes like this: "I've got to go, Rock," said Gipp. "It's all right, I'm not afraid. Sometime, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock, but I'll know about it and I'll be happy."

Notre Dame went on to defeat Army 12-6 in 1928 after Coach Rockne gave the team the “win one for the Gipper” speech.

The park, which was dedicated in 1935 and restored in 1999 has a large stone monument, has one plaque in memory of George Gipp, one restoration plaque, and two plaques designating the top male and female athletes at Calumet High School. In front of the memorial, there are bricks laid out in a football pattern and on these bricks are the names of more than 100 contributors, including actor and former president Ronald Reagan, who played the Gipper in the famous movie, and Regis Philbin.

Laurium is on highway 26 and easy to find. After crossing the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock, turn right on 26 and follow the highway that takes you through Dollar Bay, Hubbell, and Lake Linden. When entering Laurium, look for the park on the right hand side of the highway.

The drive along the east side of the peninsula is breathtaking, with Portage Lake, Torch Lake, waterfalls, and historic buildings.