Brief History of the CUP League
Prior to 1989, most central UP associations and/or their coaches independently scheduled games for their teams, resulting in many predictable problems. Realizing the need for improvement in the scheduling process, Escanaba's Ward Johnsen took the initiative to organize area associations into a league which would ensure more even competition for its members and more reliable game schedules.
The League began play in 1989 with the following charter members:
- Dickinson County
- Escanaba
- Iron Range
- Manistique
- Marinette-Menominee
- Marquette
Additions occurred as follows:
- 1994 Calumet, Copper Country
- 1996 Baraga, L'Anse, Ontonagon
- 1998 Ironwood
- 1998 Baraga and L'Anse merge to form Keweenaw Bay, accepted into membership
- 2001 Iron River, Munising
- 2004 Newberry
Marinette-Menominee's membership in CUPHL terminated in 2001 for lack of participation, and St. Ignace was denied entry the same year.