The event, hosted by Connor Sports alongside 20 industry partners, turned the timber harvest into a series of interactive field stations for students from Forest Park, Iron Mountain, and West Iron school districts. Participants observed certified trainers demonstrate precision felling techniques and safety protocols, highlighting the shift from raw forest to finished hardwood. These lessons focused on Forest Stewardship Council-certified selection methods, ensuring the wood for the Detroit-bound court meets rigorous environmental standards.
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Michigan Students Witness Sustainable Forestry for 2027 Final Four Court
More than 500 students gathered in the Cooks Run forest this week to watch the first steps of a grand stage: the harvest of timber destined for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four court. This outdoor classroom offered a practical look at how Michigan-grown trees become elite athletic surfaces.
Benjamin Bachman, CEO of Gerflor North America/Connor Sports, described the day as a "classroom in the woods," designed to connect local youth with the "forest-to-floor" manufacturing process. Beyond the felling demonstration, students explored heavy equipment operation, wildlife conservation impacts, and the logistics of transporting logs to the Crystal Falls mill. The initiative aligns with the broader environmental goals of the 2027 Men’s Final Four, which the Detroit Local Organizing Committee aims to anchor in sustainable practices, both on and off the court at Ford Field.
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