[Back to News]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 3, 2001
Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour-- 517.332.5046

EAST LANSING, Mich. - April 3 - The 2001-02 school year classifications for Michigan High School Athletic Association elections and post-season tournaments in traditionally classified sports (A,B,C,D) have been announced.

Classifications for the upcoming school year are based on a second semester count date, which was February 21. The enrollment figure submitted for athletic classification purposes may be different from the count submitted for school aid purposes, as it does not include students ineligible for athletic competition because they reached their 19th birthday prior to Sept. 1 of the current school year and will not include alternative education students if none are allowed athletic eligibility by the local school district.

After all the counts are submitted, the 743 member schools are ranked according to enrollment, and then split as closely into quarters as possible. For 2001-02, it works out that 185 schools are in Class A, and 186 schools are in Classes B, C and D. There is an increase of two schools in Classes B, C and D next year.

Effective with the 2001-02 school year, schools with 1,008 or more students are in Class A in MHSAA competition. The enrollment limits for Class B are 488 to 1,007; Class C is 243 to 487; and schools with enrollments of 242 and under are Class D. The break increased 16 students between Classes A and B; decreased 7 students between Classes B and C; and there was a 9-student decrease for the break between Classes C and D.

Schools were recently notified of their classification. MHSAA Executive Director John E. "Jack" Roberts said that schools may not appeal their classification if the appeal is to play in a lower class.
However, if revised enrollment figures indicate that a school should be playing in a higher class, that school would be moved up.

The new classification breaks will see 22 schools move up in class for 2000-01, while 14 schools will move down, and one school will have separate classifications for boys and girls competition.

Schools have the option to play at any higher classification for a minimum of two years, but must exercise the option by April 15 for fall sports, August 15 for winter sports, and October 15 for spring sports.

MHSAA tournament sports conducted in traditional classifications are Basketball, Girls Competitive Cheer, Girls Gymnastics, Skiing, Swimming and Diving, and Girls Volleyball. Sports which will compete in nearly equal divisions in 2001-02 are: Baseball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Golf, Ice Hockey, Softball, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Track and Field, and Wrestling. Boys and Girls Soccer will have 20 percent of sponsoring schools in Division 4 and the remaining schools divided equally into Divisions 1, 2 and 3. The division breaks in those sports, except football, will be announced in April. The eight divisions of the MHSAA Football Playoffs will be announced on Selection Sunday, October 21, 2001.

Here is a complete list of the schools changing classification for 2001-02 (Note: This list does not include schools opting up in class/division for tournaments):

Moving Up From Class B To Class A
Fenton
Hamtramck
Ionia
Ortonville-Brandon

Moving Down From Class A To Class B
Coldwater
Detroit Central
Gaylord
Mattawan

Moving Up From Class C To Class B
Allendale
Benzie Central
Berrien Springs
Erie Mason
Ferndale Academy of Oak Park (D to B)
Ida
Mason County Central
Saginaw Nouvel

Moving Down From Class B To Class C
Bad Axe
Farwell
Flint Northwestern
Hemlock
Montague
Muskegon Heights

Moving Up From Class D To Class C
Adrian Madison
Dryden
Fife Lake Forest Area
Inkster
L'Anse
Lawrence
Marion
Muskegon Catholic Central
Muskegon Western Michigan Christian

Moving Down From Class C To Class D
Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart
Detroit Dominican
Hale
Mio

Schools With Dual Classifications
Detroit Rogers (C-Boys; D-Girls*)
*Based on more than 75 percent of enrollment being boys

Enrollment Breaks By Classes - 2001-02
(Number of schools in parenthesis)
Class A: 1,008 and above (185)
Class B: 488 to 1,007 (186)
Class C: 243 to 487 (186)
Class D: 242 and below (186)

RL01-071

Farm Bureau Insurance and Little Caesars Pizza are year-round MHSAA Corporate Partners