The Madison Mallards are the most popular college baseball summer league team in the country. Years of attendance numbers, owing in part to the team’s ever-expanding all-you-can-eat/drink Duck Blind and the city’s thirst for live sports, back this up.
That means the Mallards don’t need gimmicky name changes to bring fans to the Duck Pond. So if they’re making a switch, it’s for a good reason. Like honoring one of Madison’s most famous natives while benefitting the local Recovery Foundation for substance abuse and mental health disorders.
That, friends, is why each member of the Mallards will be dressed up like Matt Foley, the man who lives in a van by the river, when they take the field July 6 as the Madison Motivational Speakers.
One week from today – Saturday, July 6 – we become the Motivational Speakers! 👔
If you don't have your tickets yet, you'll be LIVIN IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER 🎟️➡️ https://t.co/LIPFiVNuKF pic.twitter.com/oFOWP5pUtY
— Madison Mallards (@MadisonMallards) June 29, 2024
That’s right. For one night, the Northwoods League will be home to arguably the worst motivational speaker in the history of mankind: Farley’s legendary Saturday Night Live character.
It’s a move that has the blessing of Farley’s family. Here’s what the Mallards told Darren Rovell’s cllct about their theme night and the ownership of the sketch itself.
Chris Farley's estate and @mrbobodenkirk own the rights to WHICH iconic SNL sketch?@MadisonMallards pic.twitter.com/g2JDO9Nr3o
— cllct (@cllctMedia) July 2, 2024
This is a confluence of influences capable of bonding generations of Wisconsinites. Almost everyone who went to the University of Wisconsin or lived in downtown Madison in the early 1990s has a Chris Farley story. Almost everyone who spent the formative years of their adult lives in Madison from the mid-2000s onward has a Duck Blind story. On July 6, those worlds intertwine in a celebration of America, Wisconsin, Madison and the original pioneer of what the youths now call Van Life.
Official Motivational Speakers merch can be found here. Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off after the final out Saturday.
