MARQUETTE – Last year’s Beacon House U.P Celebrity Golf Classic was marred by a cold wind and almost constant rain, but it was a different experience for this year’s participants.

The sun was shining brightly and a slight breeze kept things cool Thursday for the golfers teeing off at the Marquette Golf Club and several celebrities commented on the perfect conditions.

However, the biggest thing the special guests wanted to talk about was the important cause they came to support and how happy they were to be a part of it.

As one would expect, UPCGC host and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci was the most passionate supporter of the cause and was proud of what the event has accomplished. The Beacon House is trying to help build a capital campaign to build a new facility that would be next to the new Duke LifePoint Hospital in town. Mariucci and his wife, Gayle, recently pledged $150,000 to name the new courtyard for the Mariucci Family Foundation, and he’s happy to support the efforts to build a new Beacon House.

“It’s huge and it’s necessary,” Mariucci said when talking about the new facility. “It’s something that a lot of people care about and it’s because a lot of people will have a use for the Beacon House. We’d like to be one of the shining stars in hospitality in this area and not just the U.P. because we service people from downstate and Wisconsin. They say that was so awesome staying there. They were so warm and caring for us when we were struggling with whatever health issues that somebody in their family had. To hear people say that, I’m just proud to be a part of that.”

Mariucci is currently a football analyst on the NFL Network and one of his fellow analysts, former NFL running back and MVP Marshall Faulk, decided to surprise him and play in the tournament.

“I came out here to support a good cause with The Beacon House and what they’re all about and what they’re trying to accomplish,” Faulk said. “They’re building a new facility for families to stay when their loved ones in the hospital. So why not come out here and use my likeliness to help raise funds for that?”

Mariucci was shocked that his colleague appeared at the event and was glad to show Faulk what the U.P. has to offer.

“Marshall shows up and I work with the guy and I didn’t even know he was coming,” Mariucci said. “Boom! He shows up in the tent. I was texting with him the day before. He didn’t say a word. This morning before we came here, I drove him from the Landmark Inn and I told him that I’m going to take a detour. So I took him down Presque Isle and around the ore docks and I said this is where I’m from. He was so impressed with this beautiful place. He said ‘You know what Mooch, this is really something. It’s great that I came up here and see where you grew up.’ All of the guys talk about how hospitable the people are. We take it for granted, but it’s not like that everywhere. So these guys, they come in from different places and say how everybody here is so nice and friendly and warm. That really makes me proud.”

UPCGC co-host and former NFL kicker Jay Feely rounded up several athletes to come up to the U.P. and like Mariucci, the area is very close to his heart.

“I love the U.P.,” he said. “I love coming up here in the summer and it’s been a great place for my family. It’s a great setting and it’s great for me to give back. I’ve had family members who have used the Beacon House, so it’s personal for me. A lot of my wife’s family lives up here and when they’ve had issues, they’ve been in the Beacon House and stayed there. So I understand what it does and the impact that it has.”

One of the players that Feely helped recruit was Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby, who was one of the most popular celebs there and was frequently signing autographs and posing for photos.

“I’ve known Jay for a long time and I’ve gotten to know him on and off the field,” Crosby said. “He’s been telling me about the event for a few years now and I finally had an opportunity to make it out here. It’s a great cause and as I learned more about it, I think it’s really awesome what they do up here. This is just another opportunity for me to see another part of this great country and support another good cause.”

Another Feely recruit is former NFL linebacker Chase Blackburn, who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants in 2008 and 2012.

“Jay and I played together with the Giants and he was kind enough to invite me out here and enjoy a weekend supporting a good cause,” Blackburn said. “It’s a little personal for me because the foundation that my wife and I started (Blackburn Chasing the Cure) helps families battling breast cancer. So we know how hard it can be for families traveling 30 miles or more to a hospital to get treatment. Fortunately, there are some places like the Beacon House to help people out. To be able to have that here in the U.P. is fantastic along with a great hospital to give people what they need.”

Even though the event seemed to be dominated by football players like current Detroit Lions wide receiver Andre Roberts and former San Francisco 49ers fullback William Floyd, other athletes showed up as well. Marquette native and current NHL free agent Justin Florek returned as did his friend and fellow NHL free-agent Zach Trotman.

“I’ve met a lot of awesome people up here and I like to help the Beacon House in any way that I can,” Trotman said. “It’s nice to come here and be able to see some of the people in the Beacon House and hear some of their stories on how they’ve helped people. I’m happy to be a part of that and help raise money for it.”

As a native Yooper, Marquette is important to Florek and he’s happy to do what he can to help out causes in his home community.

“I try to make it every year that I can,” Florek said. “It’s such a great cause and it’s such a great community to help out. It’s so cool to be a part of it and raise a bunch of money for the Beacon House and see everyone have a great time. It’s an once-in-a-lifetime event that happens every year.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246.