The Midwest’s Relationship with Sports.

I’m from the Midwest — North Dakota to be exact — and I love sports. It doesn’t matter which, either. Basketball, baseball, football, you name it. Sadly ND doesn’t have its own NFL team, but I’m Vikings all the way. For people in my area, it’s more of a regional team than a Minnesota team. Similarly, I’m a Timberwolves fan.

With March Madness becoming bigger and bigger each year, I can’t help but get excited about it. Most of the time, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks don’t make their way into the official bracket. Their run usually only lasts through the Big Sky Tournament. Some years, though, they have an exciting and under-dog-esque run into the tournament. Still, I wish North Dakota would get to host the Final Four and championship games more often. The Midwest has hosted 35% of them in the past 2 decades, but none have been in ND. Indiana and Michigan are hogging the games!

But really, that’s okay. Even though North Dakota isn’t rich in professional sports teams or championship games, there are so many other things that make it unique, athletics-wise. For one, residents of ND get to experience hockey in a way that most people don’t. Other than some other Midwestern states and a few in the Northeast, most places in the U.S. don’t get the same luxury. In general, I’ve found that ND has a population of outdoors- and activity-loving people.

Knoephla and hotdish aside, most North Dakotans in my experience are pretty healthy. One report even says that the most popular diet in the state is ketogenic! That isn’t the easiest diet to follow, and I sure haven’t tried it, so kudos to those in ND who have.

So is North Dakota the place to be for professional sports? Probably not. But there’s plenty of other things to do and try. Plus, the Midwest, in general, is rich in sporting events (where was the Super Bowl held this year?). So come on down to visit — you won’t regret it.

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