2016 Week 9 Football Playoff Listing
October 18, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of Michigan High School Athletic Association football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the eighth week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled. A caret (^) beside a school’s name indicates a team is one win away from playoff qualification.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 28.
Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 16 programs will be drawn into regions of eight teams each for the playoff in that division, which also begins Oct. 28.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. In addition to the cable television broadcast, the show will be available via a live video stream on the FoxSportsDetroit.com website, and for mobile users on FOX Sports GO! The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota ^, 2976, 5-3, 65.000
2. Utica Eisenhower, 2700, 8-0, 113.000
3. Clarkston, 2683, 6-2, 82.125
4. Grand Blanc, 2628, 4-4, 57.000
5. East Kentwood, 2596, 4-4, 55.500
6. Southfield Arts & Technology ^, 2581, 5-3, 68.125
7. Rockford, 2563, 6-2, 83.750
8. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley ^, 2518, 5-3, 73.000
9. Howell ^, 2499, 5-3, 65.875
10. Dearborn Fordson, 2487, 7-1, 94.750
11. Lake Orion ^, 2418, 5-3, 64.500
12. Detroit Cass Tech, 2368, 8-0, 93.000
13. Northville, 2325, 7-1, 100.750
14. Salem, 2172, 4-4, 51.125
15. Brighton, 2142, 7-1, 94.750
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2128, 8-0, 110.000
17. Novi, 2050, 4-4, 51.875
18. Oxford, 2042, 4-4, 51.000
19. Canton, 2035, 6-2, 79.500
20. New Baltimore Anchor Bay ^, 1987, 5-3, 57.500
21. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1986, 6-2, 76.500
22. Dearborn, 1978, 7-1, 97.750
23. Lapeer, 1932, 6-2, 72.500
24. Saline, 1923, 8-0, 108.714
25. West Bloomfield, 1905, 4-4, 53.375
26. Holt, 1881, 4-4, 48.500
27. Livonia Stevenson, 1839, 4-4, 57.125
28. Bloomfield Hills, 1831, 8-0, 107.000
29. White Lake Lakeland, 1822, 4-4, 48.875
30. Grandville, 1810, 7-1, 93.625
31. Hudsonville, 1797, 7-1, 93.750
32. Warren Mott, 1768, 6-2, 78.375
33. Ann Arbor Skyline, 1732, 4-4, 49.536
34. Grand Ledge, 1694, 7-1, 91.750
35. Belleville, 1668, 6-2, 77.500
36. Davison, 1668, 8-0, 101.000
37. Rochester Adams, 1666, 6-2, 75.500
38. Romeo ^, 1641, 5-3, 75.750
39. Waterford Mott, 1638, 4-4, 56.000
40. Rochester ^, 1632, 5-3, 63.750
41. Walled Lake Northern, 1631, 6-2, 76.125
42. Kalamazoo Central, 1615, 4-4, 52.089
43. Grosse Pointe South, 1600, 6-2, 83.125
44. Temperance Bedford, 1597, 7-1, 85.875
45. Detroit Western International, 1584, 4-4, 42.750
46. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1579, 6-2, 75.375
47. Detroit East English, 1579, 4-4, 49.125
48. Livonia Churchill ^, 1578, 5-3, 64.625
49. Traverse City West, 1552, 6-2, 77.625
50. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1522, 6-2, 78.250
51. Livonia Franklin, 1507, 6-2, 80.000
52. Warren Cousino, 1496, 7-1, 89.500
53. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1487, 7-1, 86.875
54. Detroit U-D Jesuit *, 1482, 5-2, 76.746
55. Jenison ^, 1481, 5-3, 60.125
56. Oak Park, 1409, 6-2, 81.750
57. St. Clair Shores Lakeview ^, 1409, 5-3, 55.875
58. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1404, 4-4, 47.161
59. Traverse City Central, 1394, 7-1, 92.500
60. Port Huron, 1392, 4-4, 47.875
61. Midland, 1388, 4-4, 46.625
62. Portage Central, 1388, 7-1, 95.464
63. Portage Northern ^, 1378, 5-3, 65.946
64. Walled Lake Western, 1370, 7-1, 103.125
65. Grosse Pointe North, 1367, 6-2, 76.250
66. Battle Creek Lakeview *, 1353, 5-2, 70.268
67. Hamtramck ^, 1352, 5-3, 51.804
68. Dearborn Edsel Ford, 1346, 4-4, 47.875
69. Berkley ^, 1319, 5-3, 65.750
70. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 1316, 6-2, 76.375
71. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1311, 7-1, 89.875
72. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1294, 4-4, 45.125
73. Port Huron Northern, 1288, 6-2, 67.875
74. Wyoming ^, 1288, 5-3, 59.875
75. Pinckney, 1276, 6-2, 78.375
76. Midland Dow, 1254, 7-1, 86.625
77. Birmingham Brother Rice ^, 1250, 5-3, 69.042
78. Birmingham Groves, 1248, 8-0, 109.000
79. Jackson, 1243, 4-4, 51.250
80. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1240, 4-4, 52.375
81. South Lyon, 1234, 4-4, 53.250
82. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 1198, 4-4, 45.625
83. Lowell, 1165, 8-0, 113.000
84. Holly ^, 1164, 5-3, 59.750
85. Farmington Hills Harrison, 1161, 4-4, 50.500
86. Bay City Central ^, 1158, 5-3, 58.875
87. Greenville ^, 1142, 5-3, 64.625
88. Fenton, 1138, 6-2, 79.000
89. Gibraltar Carlson, 1136, 4-4, 51.500
90. East Lansing ^, 1117, 5-3, 62.500
91. Ferndale, 1117, 6-2, 65.375
92. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1100, 4-4, 50.875
93. Allen Park, 1094, 8-0, 111.000
94. Byron Center, 1070, 7-1, 89.750
95. Mount Pleasant, 1065, 4-4, 43.625
96. Muskegon, 1052, 7-1, 91.750
97. Orchard Lake St. Mary's ^, 1040, 5-3, 70.978
98. Ortonville-Brandon, 1034, 7-1, 80.625
99. Detroit Cody ^, 1015, 5-3, 59.125
100. St. Johns, 1015, 4-4, 47.750
101. Mason, 1009, 7-1, 81.750
102. Zeeland East, 1007, 6-2, 73.250
103. DeWitt, 1002, 7-1, 95.750
104. St. Joseph, 989, 6-2, 77.071
105. East Grand Rapids, 979, 6-2, 78.625
106. Trenton ^, 969, 5-3, 68.000
107. Linden, 940, 6-2, 70.500
108. Coldwater, 929, 6-2, 72.000
109. Romulus, 929, 7-1, 84.750
110. Grand Rapids Christian, 912, 7-1, 88.958
111. Warren Fitzgerald, 891, 7-1, 85.500
112. New Boston Huron ^, 886, 5-3, 57.750
113. Battle Creek Harper Creek, 880, 7-1, 78.625
114. Chelsea, 867, 8-0, 101.486
115. Redford Union, 865, 6-2, 62.375
116. Stevensville Lakeshore ^, 865, 5-3, 65.750
117. Vicksburg, 861, 7-1, 77.875
118. Dearborn Divine Child, 859, 6-2, 66.000
119. Zeeland West, 857, 6-2, 78.500
120. Edwardsburg, 855, 8-0, 93.000
121. Marshall, 849, 4-4, 48.375
122. Bay City John Glenn, 838, 6-2, 63.375
123. Sparta, 834, 4-4, 38.375
124. Fowlerville, 833, 6-2, 69.625
125. Cadillac, 817, 6-2, 68.250
126. Hamilton ^, 810, 5-3, 59.125
127. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 797, 6-2, 65.536
128. Marysville, 794, 8-0, 99.000
129. Adrian ^, 792, 5-3, 59.161
130. Detroit Osborn, 786, 4-4, 45.750
131. St. Clair, 784, 4-4, 51.375
132. Milan, 775, 7-1, 87.375
133. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 749, 4-4, 48.000
134. River Rouge, 741, 7-1, 75.875
135. Allendale, 735, 6-2, 67.500
136. Three Rivers, 730, 6-2, 67.125
137. Escanaba, 722, 6-2, 69.306
138. Detroit Mumford, 714, 7-1, 85.571
139. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy *, 708, 5-3, 57.911
140. Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, 697, 4-4, 26.250
141. Ludington, 695, 6-2, 50.375
142. Detroit Country Day, 692, 8-0, 93.714
143. Monroe Jefferson, 687, 4-4, 44.750
144. Warren Lincoln, 686, 4-4, 39.750
145. Yale, 683, 4-4, 42.125
146. Alma, 674, 7-1, 77.875
147. Paw Paw, 672, 4-4, 41.500
148. Battle Creek Pennfield, 669, 4-4, 45.375
149. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 660, 7-1, 80.071
150. Croswell-Lexington ^, 659, 5-3, 53.875
151. Lake Fenton, 654, 8-0, 88.000
152. Grosse Ile, 653, 7-1, 81.750
153. Whitehall ^, 653, 5-3, 51.000
154. Flint Powers Catholic ^, 647, 5-3, 57.625
155. Wyoming Godwin Heights, 645, 4-4, 45.196
156. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 644, 7-1, 85.750
157. Benton Harbor, 643, 8-0, 93.000
158. Williamston, 643, 4-4, 43.750
159. Corunna, 639, 6-2, 62.500
160. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 629, 7-1, 86.625
161. Grand Rapids South Christian ^, 621, 5-3, 58.250
162. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 617, 6-2, 72.125
163. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 614, 8-0, 86.000
164. Dowagiac ^, 610, 5-3, 54.250
165. Lansing Sexton ^, 610, 5-3, 67.000
166. Hancock, 608, 4-4, 35.514
167. Saginaw Swan Valley ^, 607, 5-3, 55.250
168. Detroit Denby, 593, 7-1, 74.375
169. Muskegon Oakridge, 590, 7-1, 73.875
170. Southfield Bradford, 587, 6-2, 58.536
171. Belding ^, 585, 5-3, 53.125
172. Portland, 579, 8-0, 100.000
173. Remus Chippewa Hills, 577, 7-1, 75.875
174. North Muskegon, 565, 4-4, 38.750
175. Richmond, 562, 7-1, 80.875
176. Freeland, 561, 8-0, 95.000
177. Macomb Lutheran North, 557, 4-4, 41.250
178. Essexville Garber, 550, 6-2, 60.625
179. Algonac, 547, 7-1, 77.750
180. Ida, 546, 7-1, 76.750
181. Carrollton, 543, 4-4, 38.625
182. Kingsford, 543, 6-2, 71.306
183. Olivet ^, 541, 5-3, 54.625
184. Harper Woods, 540, 4-4, 38.425
185. Frankenmuth, 533, 8-0, 88.000
186. Lansing Catholic, 532, 7-1, 83.875
187. Grandville Calvin Christian ^, 531, 5-3, 54.946
188. Marine City, 526, 4-4, 49.000
189. Grant, 520, 6-2, 57.625
190. Kalkaska, 517, 6-2, 56.500
191. Perry, 504, 4-4, 35.250
192. Almont ^, 497, 5-3, 51.000
193. Shepherd ^, 497, 5-3, 51.125
194. Manistee, 496, 4-4, 39.500
195. Reed City, 496, 8-0, 91.000
196. Grayling ^, 492, 5-3, 46.250
197. Berrien Springs *, 482, 5-2, 66.306
198. Stockbridge, 482, 4-4, 41.500
199. Buchanan *^, 476, 4-3, 51.411
200. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 475, 7-1, 75.625
201. Ovid-Elsie, 475, 4-4, 38.750
202. Durand ^, 463, 5-3, 44.125
203. Parchment ^, 448, 5-3, 48.375
204. Clinton Township Clintondale, 447, 4-4, 40.750
205. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 442, 6-2, 58.500
206. Menominee, 439, 7-1, 84.194
207. Hillsdale, 432, 4-4, 39.250
208. Ithaca, 426, 8-0, 83.000
209. Clare, 419, 7-1, 73.875
210. Pinconning ^, 417, 5-3, 44.875
211. Montague, 414, 6-2, 58.125
212. Tawas *, 412, 5-2, 45.714
213. Hemlock, 411, 4-4, 37.875
214. Harrison ^, 410, 5-3, 46.750
215. Calumet, 406, 7-1, 67.764
216. Michigan Center ^, 406, 5-3, 45.000
217. Morley Stanwood ^, 404, 5-3, 48.875
218. Lakeview ^, 402, 5-3, 54.625
219. Delton Kellogg, 401, 4-4, 42.625
220. Negaunee, 400, 8-0, 86.429
221. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 398, 7-1, 76.036
222. Adrian Madison, 397, 4-4, 36.750
223. Boyne City, 396, 6-2, 62.875
224. Charlevoix, 393, 6-2, 56.500
225. Millington, 393, 7-1, 73.875
226. Beaverton ^, 387, 5-3, 48.000
227. Constantine ^, 386, 5-3, 55.000
228. Montrose ^, 386, 5-3, 52.125
229. Byron, 385, 6-2, 57.500
230. Quincy ^, 381, 5-3, 39.125
231. Jackson Lumen Christi, 380, 6-2, 71.500
232. Napoleon, 380, 6-2, 53.375
233. Watervliet, 380, 6-2, 61.375
234. Maple City Glen Lake, 379, 6-2, 56.750
235. Manchester ^, 378, 5-3, 43.000
236. Detroit Edison Public School Academy *^, 374, 4-3, 41.304
237. Houghton Lake ^, 374, 5-3, 49.125
238. Laingsburg, 374, 7-1, 63.875
239. Blissfield, 367, 4-4, 41.875
240. Roscommon, 367, 7-1, 68.750
241. Grass Lake, 363, 7-1, 65.500
242. Kent City, 362, 6-2, 56.125
243. New Haven, 362, 4-4, 41.250
244. Schoolcraft, 358, 8-0, 83.000
245. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 355, 4-4, 49.500
246. Oscoda, 352, 4-4, 30.125
247. Ravenna, 350, 6-2, 60.375
248. Leroy Pine River, 347, 6-2, 61.125
249. Detroit Central Collegiate, 346, 4-4, 40.250
250. Ecorse, 345, 4-4, 40.375
251. Madison Heights Madison ^, 343, 5-3, 67.625
252. Traverse City St. Francis, 341, 8-0, 85.000
253. Bath, 336, 4-4, 32.625
254. Lawton, 333, 7-1, 62.875
255. Clinton, 331, 6-2, 56.250
256. Flint Hamady, 329, 6-2, 58.375
257. Reese ^, 328, 5-3, 43.000
258. Detroit Delta Prep ^, 327, 5-3, 46.375
259. Flint Beecher, 327, 4-4, 38.250
260. McBain, 326, 4-4, 42.625
261. Burton Atherton, 316, 4-4, 30.625
262. Homer, 313, 6-2, 55.250
263. Bridgman ^, 312, 5-3, 39.946
264. Galesburg-Augusta ^, 312, 5-3, 38.250
265. Iron Mountain, 302, 6-2, 53.929
266. Brown City, 298, 4-4, 32.875
267. New Lothrop, 298, 8-0, 80.000
268. Gobles, 289, 6-2, 57.625
269. Saugatuck, 289, 8-0, 71.000
270. Cass City ^, 288, 5-3, 50.375
271. Pewamo-Westphalia, 288, 8-0, 74.000
272. Gwinn ^, 287, 5-3, 46.250
273. Harbor Springs, 284, 4-4, 34.571
274. Cassopolis, 278, 7-1, 65.143
275. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 277, 8-0, 74.429
276. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest ^, 275, 5-3, 42.607
277. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 274, 7-1, 60.750
278. Carson City-Crystal, 268, 4-4, 30.125
279. Sand Creek, 268, 7-1, 60.161
280. Hudson, 267, 7-1, 74.375
281. Unionville-Sebewaing, 267, 7-1, 65.875
282. Detroit Loyola, 266, 7-1, 80.500
283. Hesperia, 265, 4-4, 37.375
284. East Jordan, 261, 4-4, 27.125
285. Ubly, 260, 8-0, 73.000
286. Dansville ^, 259, 5-3, 41.125
287. Springport, 259, 7-1, 61.625
288. Concord, 258, 7-1, 60.750
289. Onekama, 254, 6-2, 42.250
290. Whittemore-Prescott ^, 251, 5-3, 41.589
291. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 249, 6-2, 59.000
292. Saginaw Nouvel ^, 248, 5-3, 57.798
293. Petersburg-Summerfield ^, 247, 5-3, 40.000
294. Lincoln Alcona, 245, 7-1, 59.571
295. Decatur, 243, 4-4, 31.250
296. Evart ^, 242, 5-3, 44.625
297. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 242, 8-0, 74.000
298. Iron River West Iron County ^, 241, 5-3, 47.708
299. Beal City, 239, 6-2, 58.375
300. Breckenridge, 235, 8-0, 68.000
301. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 233, 4-4, 32.375
302. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 232, 7-1, 57.500
303. Harbor Beach, 231, 4-4, 30.250
304. Melvindale Academy for Business & Tech, 224, 4-4, 35.571
305. St. Ignace, 219, 7-1, 62.304
306. Norway, 214, 7-1, 62.637
307. Newberry, 212, 7-1, 54.875
308. Pittsford ^, 206, 5-3, 38.286
309. Mendon, 203, 6-2, 54.179
310. Morenci ^, 201, 5-3, 47.375
311. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 200, 6-2, 59.375
312. Vestaburg ^, 195, 5-3, 41.000
313. Merrill, 191, 6-2, 46.375
314. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 186, 4-4, 34.018
315. Fowler ^, 185, 5-3, 42.000
316. Martin, 178, 4-4, 29.000
317. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 173, 4-4, 39.304
318. Frankfort, 171, 8-0, 69.000
319. Gaylord St. Mary, 170, 6-2, 40.125
320. Climax-Scotts, 169, 8-0, 61.286
321. Muskegon Catholic Central, 163, 8-0, 87.000
322. Lake Linden-Hubbell, 157, 8-0, 75.444
323. Colon ^, 156, 5-3, 33.786
324. AuGres-Sims, 149, 7-1, 55.750
325. Hillman, 146, 4-4, 30.625
326. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart ^, 146, 5-3, 39.875
327. Waterford Our Lady, 134, 6-2, 59.786
328. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 6-2, 52.250
329. Felch North Dickinson ^, 95, 5-3, 37.153
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Deckerville *, 177, 8-0, 64.429
2. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 168, 8-0, 60.000
3. Portland St. Patrick, 92, 8-0, 59.143
4. Engadine, 91, 8-0, 59.000
5. Powers North Central, 115, 8-0, 58.476
6. New Haven Merritt Academy, 165, 8-0, 57.000
7. Lawrence, 186, 7-1, 50.685
8. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 159, 7-1, 50.018
9. Owendale-Gagetown, 48, 7-1, 47.875
10. Pickford, 149, 7-1, 47.875
11. Stephenson, 177, 7-1, 47.337
12. Webberville, 178, 6-2, 44.375
13. Cedarville, 156, 6-2, 42.625
14. Flint International Academy, 185, 6-2, 39.625
15. Fife Lake Forest Area, 162, 6-2, 38.893
16. Camden-Frontier *, 159, 5-1, 37.845
17. Battle Creek St. Philip, 143, 5-3, 37.595
18. Peck, 143, 5-3, 37.107
19. Rapid River, 116, 5-3, 36.518
20. Tekonsha, 135, 5-3, 35.000
21. Morrice, 168, 4-4, 32.536
22. Marion, 132, 4-4, 26.500
23. Posen, 94, 4-4, 25.679
24. Hale, 129, 4-4, 25.250
25. Waldron, 83, 4-4, 24.500
26. Onaway, 190, 4-4, 23.750
27. Mayville, 196, 3-5, 22.000
28. Eben Junction Superior Central, 125, 3-5, 20.696
29. Ontonagon, 126, 3-5, 20.431
30. Burton Madison Academy, 198, 3-5, 19.250
31. Burr Oak, 72, 3-5, 18.893
32. Flint Michigan School for the Deaf *, 47, 3-4, 18.506
33. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 97, 3-5, 17.161
34. Manistee Catholic Central, 189, 3-5, 16.875
35. Bellaire, 133, 3-5, 16.125
36. Brethren, 152, 2-6, 13.875
37. Caseville, 98, 2-6, 13.625
38. Kinde-North Huron, 157, 1-7, 12.411
39. Akron-Fairgrove, 105, 1-7, 11.000
40. Baraga, 150, 1-7, 9.143
41. Carsonville-Port Sanilac, 118, 1-7, 8.875
42. Carney-Nadeau *, 140, 1-6, 8.696
43. Ewen-Trout Creek, 115, 1-7, 8.625
44. Covert *, 95, 1-6, 8.571
45. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 137, 1-7, 7.750
46. Pellston, 169, 0-8, 4.417
47. Litchfield, 85, 0-8, 3.750
48. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 193, 0-8, 3.036
Championship Official, Longtime Mentor Walters Named 2023 Norris Honoree
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 30, 2023
From volunteering to umpire slowpitch softball to officiating at last season’s 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field, Jackson’s Chuck D. Walters has enjoyed every step of the climb over 44 years as a Michigan High School Athletic Association-registered official.
As a revered and beloved trainer, mentor and recruiter of officials, he’s also dedicated decades to providing opportunities to the next generations of officials in his community.
For especially his work in nurturing others in the avocation, Walters has been selected as this year’s MHSAA Vern L. Norris Award honoree.
The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-respected by officials on the state and national levels.
Walters has registered to officiate MHSAA football again this fall, which will begin his 45th year of refereeing or umpiring school sports. He’s a member of the Jackson Area Officials Association, Kalamazoo Officials Association and Southeast Michigan Sports Officials organization, and he has served as a football and baseball trainer in the JAOA while also working more than 100 MHSAA postseason games in those sports including six football and two baseball Finals.
“Chuck Walters is one of the best people I’ve known through officiating. He’s been a leader and mentor for hundreds of officials in the Jackson area over many years,” said MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl, who also is a longtime football and baseball official at the high school and college levels. “Chuck is the epitome of what the Vern Norris Award is meant to honor.”
Walters was a three-sport athlete at East Jackson High School – playing football, basketball and baseball – and upon graduating in 1965 took a job with Chrysler at its Proving Grounds in Chelsea. While later coaching his son Chuck in youth baseball, Walters put on a slowpitch softball tournament to benefit the local Little League association – and umpired the bases at those games to help save money so more could go to the organization.
From there, he began filling a need locally for youth umpires. Relationships built in baseball turned into working subvaristy football. After his son graduated from Napoleon, Walters’ Friday nights opened up and he filled that personal sports void by beginning a long and successful career in varsity football as well. He first registered for two years at the start of the 1970s, and returned to register without pause beginning with the 1981-82 school year.
In addition to working youth and high school athletes, Walters has umpired college baseball primarily at the Division II, III and NAIA levels but also in the Big Ten Conference and Mid-American Conference. He also served 35 years as the volunteer clock operator at Napoleon High School basketball games – his current football crew includes multiple former Napoleon athletes or coaches.
Among recommendations for this Norris Award came a letter from his entire crew and another noting Walters continues to mentor 14 current officials while always seeking to introduce opportunities to others.
“I used to go to a lot of college football meetings just to stay current, and they’d talk about this and that and my head would be spinning forever,” Walters said. “We have four new officials in our area starting football this fall, and I know their heads will be spinning when we talk about this and that. My focus will be to get those new officials’ feet on the ground, get them (progressing) step by step by step. Once they get that passion to officiate whatever sport it might be, they just take off.”
Walters received the Al Cotton Award in 2013 from the Jackson Citizen Patriot for his contributions to Jackson-area sports, and was named to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Hall of Fame in 2021 as a “friend of basketball” for his hundreds of games operating the clock.
Walters and his high school sweetheart Judy have been married 57 years, and they have adult children Stacy and Chuck. Walters retired from Chrysler after 32 years and has a car restoration business.
Previous recipients
1992 – Ted Wilson, East Detroit
1993 – Fred Briggs, Burton
1994 – Joe Brodie, Flat Rock
1995 – Jim Massar, Flint
1996 – Jim Lamoreaux, St. Ignace
1997 – Ken Myllyla, Escanaba
1998 – Blake Hagman, Kalamazoo
1999 – Richard Kalahar, Jackson
2000 – Barb Beckett, Traverse City; Karl Newingham, Bay City
2001 – Herb Lipschultz, Kalamazoo
2002 – Robert Scholie, Hancock
2003 – Ron Nagy, Hazel Par
2004 – Carl Van Heck, Grand Rapids
2005 – Bruce Moss, Alma
2006 – Jeanne Skinner, Grand Rapids
2007 – Terry Wakeley, Grayling
2008 – Will Lynch, Honor
2009 – James Danhoff, Richland
2010 – John Juday Sr., Petoskey
2011 – Robert Williams, Redford
2012 – Lyle Berry, Rockford
2013 – Tom Minter, Okemos
2014 – Hugh R. Jewell, West Bloomfield
2015 – Sam Davis, Lansing
2016 – Linda Hoover, Marshall
2017 – Michael Gentry, Shelby Township
2018 – Jill Baker-Cooley, Big Rapids
2019 – David Buck, St. Joseph
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
2021 – Lewis Clingman, Grand Rapids
2022 – Pat Hayes, Birmingham
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50-year service awards.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allegan – Joseph Munn
Allen Park – James Murdoch
Ann Arbor – Shawna Lorch
Bad Axe – Gary Krause
Bannister – Clyde English
Baraga – Scott Koski
Battle Creek – Lonzo Warren
Bay City – Jason Ruple
Bay City – David Szczypka
Belleville – Michael McCormick
Big Rapids – Marty Shaffer
Blissfield – Steven Babbitt
Bloomfield Township – Richard Dylewski
Bloomfield Village – Maynard Timm
Bridgman – Shane Peters
Brimley – George Jones
Bronson – Brian Case
Bronson – Kevin Gardner
Brownstown Township – Charles Monette
Byron Center – Michael Jager
Cadillac – Demetrio Rojas-Cruz
Chassell – Robert Fay
Chassell – Shana Ruotsala
Chesterfield – Paul McBride
Clarkston – Jamie Rykse
Clarksville – Michael Burgess
Clinton Township – Mark Carney
Clinton Township – Keith Justice
Clinton Township – Brad Thomas
Commerce Township – Robert Foss
Constantine – Jerry Burgess
Cottrellville – Grant Harris
Dearborn Heights – Abasi Sanders
Detroit – Cozette Ealy
Detroit – Cedric Green
Detroit – Delonda Little
Detroit – William Pugh
DeWitt – Mark Kellogg
DeWitt – Adam Miller
Dorr – Dan Heasley
East Lansing – Eric McGaugh
Farmington hills – Kevin Cleveland
Fenton – Paula McAllister
Flint – Rozier Looney
Frankenmuth – Matthew Krause
Freeland – Nick Horn
Fremont – Kevin Holmberg
Gaylord – Michael Switalski
Gobles – Randy Hood
Grand Blanc – Josh Dean
Grand Blanc – Anthony Klinck
Grand Blanc – David Clement
Grand Ledge – Brian Gorman
Grand Rapids – Marc Davis
Grand Rapids – Timothy Gildner
Grand Rapids – Lloyd Kilgore
Grand Rapids – Fritz Owen
Grand Rapids – Debra Rambow
Grand Rapids – James Stokes
Grand Rapids – Michael Underwood
Grand Rapids – Randy Wilson
Grosse Ile – Michael Szczechowski
Grosse Pointe Woods – Douglas Bohannon
Harbor Beach – Jill Fuller
Harrison Township – Kimberly Broski
Hart – Chris Romero
Haslett – Scott Bradley
Haslett – Casey Kern
Hastings – Fred Koning
Highland – Jason Zimmerman
Holland – Jayson Dibble
Holt – Andrew Hoard
Honor – Matt Olson
Horton – Jerry Waddington
Houghton – Gregg Richards
Howell – Anthony Vella
Howell – Nathan Thompson
Hudsonville – Roberto Ortega-Ramos
Ionia – April Holman
Ironwood – Guy Trier
Jackson – Tracy Boyers
Jackson – Troy Fairbanks
Jackson – Daniel Garrison
Jackson – Jim Miller
Jackson – Bernard Nabozny
Jackson – Douglas Richardson
Jenison – Alfred Kennedy
Kalamazoo – Jill Lansky
Kentwood – Andrew Terrien
Kentwood – Rus Tien
Lansing – Oscar Castaneda
Lansing – Steve Crowley
Lansing – Terry Harris
Lansing – Arthur Lilly
Lansing – Keith Rhodabeck
Lansing – Cameron Rodgers
Lathrup Village – Gerald Jones
Livonia – Scott Racer
Macomb – Don Kalpin
Macomb – Terry Prince
Manistique – Joseph Crowder
Manistique – Howard Parmentier
Marlette – Chris Storm
Marquette – John Schultz
Marshall – James Dyer
Marshall – Eric Earl
Marysville – John Schweihofer
Mason – Ammahad Wnaikau
Memphis – Steven Gray
Merrill – Malena Marr
Michigan City – Larry Jordan
Middleville – Darrin Oliver
Midland – Thomas Coatoam
Midland – Alan Huntress
Milan – Jill Hargrove
Milan – Michael St. John
Milford – Jeffrey Garvin
Milford – Larry Walters
Mt. Pleasant – Jeff Siler
Muskegon – Robert Koekkoek
Niles – Cory Gowen
Niles – Glenn Kimmerly
Northville – Doug Doyle
Ortonville – Laurel Kobe
Perrysburg – Gregg Becker
Petersburg – Mike Faunce
Pickford – Marc Andrzejak
Pontiac – Wanda Clayton
Port Austin – Andrew Preston
Portage – Phillip Baker
Portage – Jeff Kirkman
Portage – Mike Lauraine
Portage – Michael Northuis
Reed City – Aaron Keup
Riverview – Gregory Drewno
Rochester – Avoki Omekanda
Rochester Hills – Michael Timko
Rochester Hills – Terry Zangkas
Royal Oak – Linda Mariani
Saginaw – Richard Moody
Saginaw – Charles Smith
Schoolcraft – Nathan DeMaso
Schoolcraft – Reid Jones
South Haven – Ken Dietz
South Haven – Douglas Jones
South Lyon – Elisabeth Tyzo-DePaulis
St. Clair Shores – Chad Kelly
Sterling Heights – Robert Hornik
Sterling Heights – Patrick Radaj
Sterling Heights – Erik Schneider
Sterling Heights – Ernest Sciullo
Sterling Heights – Terry Sheen
Stevensville – Thomas Rivette
Stevensville – Douglas Wegscheid
Swartz Creek – Andrew Palovich
Tecumseh – Eryn Stamper
Temperance – Larry Nocella
Traverse City – Jeffrey Brunner
Traverse City – Jason Meriwether
Traverse City – Thomas Spencer
Trenton – Brian Hill
Trenton – Kevin McMillion
Troy – Glenn Craze
Troy – Patrick Grady
Twin Lake – Mike Vanderstelt
Utica – Edward Kotulski
Wallace – Terry Unti
Walled Lake – Terry Prickett
Warren – Arthur Lynn
Wayland – Joseph Kramer
West Bloomfield – Ilya Beltser
West Branch – Howard Hanft
White Lake – Gregory Waun
Williamston – Kelli Hart
Wixom – Cuba Gregory
Wyoming – Kelli Polinskey
30-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen – Kent Sanborn
Allen Park – Mark Klein
Alpena – Robert Centala
Alto – Bene Benedict
Bad Axe – Brent Wehner
Baroda – Chris Falak
Battle Creek – John Crumb
Bay City – Stephen Linton
Bay City – Scott Packard
Bay City – Joseph Pietryga
Bessemer – James Trcka
Brooklyn – Gregg Wonderly
Caledonia – Stacy Smith
Center Line – Scott Manteuffel
Charlotte – Val Nelson
Chelsea – Eric VanHevel
Chesterfield – Anthony Mancina
Clinton Township – Barbara Laird
Clinton Township – Scott Walendowski
Comstock Park – Kathy Felty
Davison – James Edgar
Dearborn – Gloria Joseph
Dearborn Heights – Rick Ballnik
Detroit – Joyce Smith
Dowagiac – Scott Stewart
East Lansing – Brent Sorg
Eaton Rapids – Wesley Collins
Essexville – Mark Gentle
Farmington Hills – Robert Dobson
Fenton – Paul White
Flat Rock – Janis Stahr
Flint – Richard Higgins
Flint – John Yelle
Flushing – Jeffrey Straley
Freeland – Terry Schmidt
Grand Blanc – Bernadette Koenig
Grand Blanc – Thomas Le Blanc
Grand Blanc – Leonard Sparks
Grand Rapids – Jacquie DeJonge
Grand Rapids – Jeff Green
Greenville – Darcia Kelley
Grosse Pointe – Ryan Murphy
Grosse Pointe Park – George Markley
Grosse Pointe Woods – Renee Dicristofaro
Hazel Park – Benny Holzman
Hickory Corners – Dean Bostwick
Holt – John Massey
Imlay City – John Forti
Kalamazoo – Julie Jones
Kalamazoo – Mark Kampen
Kingsley – David Lemmien
Lansing – Dee Hammond
Lansing – Robert Mccullem
Livonia – Steve Timm
Manchester – James Connors
Marinette – Neil Motto
Mason – Daniel Carmichael
Mason – Kathy Showers
Mattawan – John Visser
McMillan – Anthony Immel
Midland – Katherine Duso
Monroe – Carolyn Peters
Montague – Stanley Bush
Muskegon – Jacklyn Burr
Muskegon – Chris Calkins
Muskegon – Dennis Danicek
Muskegon – Randall Peters
North Muskegon – Tony Kartes
Ontonagon – Andrew Borseth
Ottawa Lake – Douglas Sanders
Paw Paw – Karla Koviak
Perry – Thomas Montpas
Petoskey – Mark Holland
Pierson – Joseph Williams
Pleasant Lake – Marty Shean
Plymouth – Michael Rossman
Plymouth – Richard Schmidt
Quincy – Candace Cox
Rapid River – Mike Pilon
Rochester – Janette Luttenberger
Rochester Hills – Katherine DiMeglio
Romeo – Mary Milke
Rossford – Steven Agler
Saginaw – Thomas Nichols
Saline – Todd Schultz
Shelby – Todd Fox
Shelby Township – Sheila Brownlee
Shelby Township – Kristi Dean
South Lyon – Michael Kiselis
Sparta – Ryan Huber
St. Clair Shores – Gary Kowalewski
St. Joseph – Terry Myers
St. Joseph – Dave Waaso
Standish – Kimberly Belchak
Stanton – Jason Petersen
Sterling Heights – George Braund
Sterling Heights – John Moceri
Traverse City – Allen Hebden
Utica – Sean Barel
Waldron – Michael Granger
Walled Lake – Donald Magee
Warren – Joseph DiBucci
Washington – Gloria Berger
Wayne – Robert Allen
West Bloomfield – Cynthia Tyzo
Williamston – David Sweeney
Wolverine – David Ashenfelter
Wyandotte – David Shalda
Wyoming – Stephen Hendrickson
Yale – Perry Sutherland
40-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian – Doris Goodlock
Allen Park – James Sombati
Battle Creek – Corby O'Leary
Bay City – Tony Biskup
Buchanan – Ronald Bartz
Cedar Springs – Dan Rypma
Charlevoix – Daniel Ulrich
Clark Lake – Ralph Piepkow
Clinton Township – Patrick Crandall
Crystal Falls – Lyle Smithson
Detroit – Aimee Davis
Detroit – John Leidlein
Detroit – Richard Shalhoub
Eastpointe – Wayne Rockensuess
Fort Gratiot – Jeff Klausing
Garden City – Eric Hebestreit
Grosse Ile – Steven Vecchioni
Hancock – Brian Rimpela
Holland – Brent Hoitenga
Hudsonville – Gerald Kuiper
Jackson – Thomas Morrissey
Jackson – Joseph Page
Jonesville – Kirk Snyder
Kentwood – William Meade
Lake Orion – James Weidman
Lansing – Daniel Kitchel
Lapeer – Gary Oyster
Lapeer – Scott Strickler
Macomb Township – William Gerbe
Mayville – Gary Libka
Midland – Bradley Crampton
Newaygo – Clinton Abbott
Ray – David Hines
Reed City – David Erler
Republic – Paul Price
Rockford – Carl Knoop
Rogers City – Karl Grambau
Roseville – Mario Soresi
Saginaw – Michael Mayers
Saginaw – Richard Welzein
Saginaw – Dennis Wildey
Sand Creek – Jack Sager
Sault Ste. Marie – Dale Cryderman
St. Clair Shores – Gerald Garcia
St. Joseph – Bruce Molineaux
Swartz Creek – James Loria
Temperance – Michael Bitz
Traverse City – Barbara Beckett
Walled Lake – Nicholas Lesnau
Waters – Rick Sehl
Ypsilanti – Jerry Kelley
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Alpena – Scott MacKenzie
Berkley – Charles Tyrrell
Boyne City – Peter Moss
Bronson – Randy Houtz
Brown City – Curt Lowe
Buchanan – Larry Monsma
Burton – Thomas Rau
Cheboygan – Peter Stempky
Conklin – Gary Meerman
East Lansing – Bruce Heeder
Flint – Joseph Johnson
Flushing – David Cowden
Fowler – Dean Schrauben
Frankfort – Peter Olson
Grand Rapids – Todd VandenAkker
Haslett – Heidi Doherty
Holland – Craig Kuipers
Houghton – Roy Britz
Iron Mountain – Robert Barkle
Jenison – James Kerbel
Lake Isabella – James Novar
Linden – John Cross
Madison Heights – Joseph Marcinkowski
Muskegon Heights – Johnny Robinson
Oxford – Donald Maskill
Plymouth – Charles Hempel
Portage – Richard Bird
Portage – Robert Burch
Posen – Donna Couture
Prescott – Charles Wren
Roseville – Robert Iwasko
Shelby Township – Michael Gentry
South Bend – Dale Matteson
South Lyon – Dan Riggs
Taylor – Clayton Conner
Warren – Vern Rottmann
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian – Gary Laskowsky
Ann Arbor – Michael Parsons
Canton – David Mattingly
Caseville – Daniel Korbutt
DeWitt – Raymond Barnes
Fenton – Hewitt Judson
Fruitport – David Fisher
Kalamazoo – David Turley
Livonia – Steven Boyak
Livonia – John Dunn
Ludington – Roger Chappel
Marlette – Jerry Sauder
Marquette – Gene Aho
Ontonagon – John Gravier
Palmetto – Donald Bourdon
Rodney – Jeffrey Greene
Rogers City – Michael Grulke
Saginaw – Richard Havercroft
South Haven – Robert Linderman
South Lyon – Richard Gibson
Stevensville – Bruce Arter
Traverse City – Tom Post
West Bloomfield – Anthony Magni
Whitehall – Chuck Hulce
PHOTO Chuck Walters officiates this past season's Division 5 Final.