MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 40th annual Pigs N Heat game packed the Lakeview arena Wednesday evening, all to benefit those impacted by fire damage. Rivalry can bring a sense of challenge into any arena, but this clash of titans isn’t just about scoring goals.
The annual competition pits Marquette Police officers against Firefighters. One family of players, Brian, Jake, and Bob Phillips have been tied to the charity event since its first game. “We have a Phillips family we’re a hockey family when I got in the fire service I quit hockey to be a fireman,” commented Firefighter Brian Phillips.
“So I grew up playing hockey in this rink here the community it’s awesome,” commented Firefighter Jake Phillips.
“Number 12 that’s the one, the original number I started with on the very first game 40 years ago,” commented Retired Firefighter Bob Phillips. Retired from Firefighter service for 25 years, Bob Phillips said that he’s always loved the excitement of the event, and how even with the competition, the community shows up in support of both teams.
“There’s a lot of gratification when you serve the public to a maximum like that…when they came up with the idea of the Pigs N Heat game for a benefit fund for those victims it was really a no-brainer to go and want to play in it,” continued Bob.
Although Bob was on the roster since the first game, Brian said he’s moved into the ranks as a legend as well. “I think I have the record here in service time, I think in 93, 94 I think I played my first game so maybe 29 years,” continued Brian
“A lot of people they wanna get out of here, I got out of here for a little bit. It just drew me back I wanted to serve the people of this community because the people here made me who I am today,” continued Jake.
