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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --October 8, 1998
Contact: John Johnson or Mike Clifford-- 517.332.5046

EAST LANSING, Mich. - October 8 - Eight members of the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Representative Council running for reelection have again been selected by the membership to serve two-year terms.

The Representative Council meets three times annually to discuss and pass legislation concerning the interscholastic athletic activities of the Association's 1,300-plus member senior and junior high/middle schools. The Council is made up of 19 members, with all but 7 elected by a vote of member schools to represent different geographic regions, different sizes of schools, private schools, and junior high/middle schools. Two members are elected to statewide at-large positions. Four members are appointed by the Council to facilitate representation of females and minorities, and the 19th position is occupied by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.

From the Council, three officers are elected. These officers and two other representatives form the MHSAA's Executive Committee, which meets on a monthly basis during the school year to review eligibility appeals from member schools and other current Association business.

Reelected to two-year terms which expire in December, 2000, are: Robert Riemersma, principal, Manistee High School, representing Class A and B schools in the Northern Lower Peninsula; Michael S. Shibler, superintendent, Rockford Public Schools, representing Class A and B schools in the Southwestern Lower Peninsula; Eric C. Federico, athletic director, Gibraltar Carlson High School, representing Class A and B schools in the Southeastern Lower Peninsula; Keith Alto, athletic director, Newberry High School, representing Class C and D schools in the Upper Peninsula; William D. Newkirk, superintendent, Sanford Meridian Public Schools, representing Class C and D schools in the Northern Lower Peninsula; Dennis F. Kniola, principal, Stevensville Lakeshore Middle School, to a statewide at-large position; Keith Eldred, athletic director, Williamston Middle School, represneting junior high/middle schools; and Tom Rashid, director of athletics, Archdiocese of Detroit, representing private and parochial schools.

Riemersma, Shibler and Alto were elected to their second term on the Council; Eldred has served since 1983; Kniola first served on the Council from 1983-85, and has been on the board since 1986; Federico served from 1986-94, and since 1996; and Newkirk and Rashid have served since 1988. Riemersma, Federico, Alto, Kniola, Eldred and Rashid ran unopposed for their positions.

In addition, three positions on the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee were filled by a vote of U.P. schools. Dick Koski, athletic director, Negaunee High School, was selected to an athletic coach position on the committee. Joe Reddinger, athletic director, Iron Mountain North Dickinson High School, was selected to represent Class D schools; and Don Edens, athletic director, Kingsford High School, was selected to represent Class A and B schools.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,300 public, and private high schools and junior high/middle schools. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which does not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools may participate in MHSAA tournaments conducted in 12 sports for girls and 12 sports for boys which attract approximately 1.3 million spectators each year.