MSU to Host Inagurual Coaches School

May 27, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Michigan State University Department of Kinesiology and the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports are inviting coaches and sport leaders to their inaugural MSU Summer Coaches’ School, to be conducted June 18-20.

Coaches and sport leaders will gain knowledge, build networks, and learn experientially through hands-on lessons outside the classroom. Subjects include:

  • Program-Building
  • Culture Change
  • Team Chemistry
  • Nutrition
  • Concussions
  • Training
  • Parental Relations
  • Performing Under Pressure

Sessions begin at 9 a.m. June 18, 8:30 on June 19 and run 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on June 20. Packages are available for single days, conferences-only or all-inclusive with meals and lodging for those traveling from abroad.

For details or to register, click summercoach.msu.edu or contact Dr. Andy Driska (event coordinator) at [email protected] or (517) 432-8399.

The MSU Department of Kinesiology and the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports share a long history of scientifically studying the benefits and detriments of sport participation for young people, along with outreach to help coaches and sport leaders use scientific information in their day-to-day practice. The Institute is a major contributor to MHSAA leadership and student services efforts including Captains Clinics and Sportsmanship Summits.

In Memoriam: Haack, Locke, Newton

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 17, 2016

From time to time, we receive news of the passing of people who have played major roles in the near-century history of MHSAA athletics. Below are notes on a few who left us this summer but made major contributions.

Ray Haack, St. Joseph – Haack taught and coached at Reese High School before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, then was employed by St. Joseph High School from 1946-86. According to his obituary, Haack built a 198-86 record coaching the Bears’ boys basketball team from 1951-66. He led the 1951 and 1953 teams to Class B championships. He died July 6 at the age of 96.

Ralph Locke, Albion – Locke was an MHSAA registered official for 38 years, for basketball during his entire tenure and for football beginning in 1986. He officiated a number of MHSAA tournament contests, mostly in football but also boys basketball, and worked Semifinal and the Class AA Final for football (Detroit Catholic Central 27, Rockford 23) in 1998. He died July 29 at age 61.  

Bill Newton, Farmington – Newton led Farmington to an unexpected first MHSAA ice hockey championship in 2014, his first season as varsity coach, as his team upset reigning champion Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the Quarterfinal. His teams finished 44-33-4 over three seasons with a league title this past winter, and he resigned at the end of last season in part to continue his fight against cancer, according to a report by the Farmington Observer & Eccentric. Newton had previously coached as a varsity assistant for four years and junior varsity assistant for two, the report said. He died Aug. 6 at age 55.