MHSAA TV Live Broadcasts Return
September 8, 2020
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
A new season of live high school sports coverage is underway on the NFHS Network and MHSAA.tv, with the coming week’s schedule packed with boys soccer and girls volleyball action.
More games than ever before will be available online beginning this season, with approximately 260 MHSAA member schools taking part in the School Broadcast Program with Pixellot units being installed at their athletic facilities or schools still producing games using traditional hands-on student crews.
Pixellot is the NFHS Network’s automated production solution. More than 400 Pixellot units are already installed or about to be installed in high school stadiums and gymnasiums around the state. The NFHS Network has been offering schools up to two free Pixellot units since early July – with the schools only needing to cover installation costs.
Additionally, MHSAA regulations regarding live video broadcasts and streaming have been relaxed during the pandemic to allow schools to use their choice of means to distribute games to fans who are unable to attend because of government-imposed spectator limits. Third-party broadcasters – like local television stations and cable television outlets – also are allowed to originate games live.
In the coming week, more 300 events will be available on the NFHS Network/MHSAA.tv. Monthly subscriptions are $10.99. Click for a complete list of upcoming games and for a complete list of on-demand games.
Fans can also type their school name into the search field on the MHSAA.tv page to search for events. Here is a list of varsity sports events being broadcast over the coming week:
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (Home team listed first)
Wednesday – Sept. 9
Multi-team Event @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep - 5 PM
Niles vs. Berrien Springs - 6 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Portage Northern - 6:30 PM
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic - 6:30 PM
Petoskey vs. Traverse City Central - 6:30 PM
Traverse City West vs. Gaylord - 7 PM
Cadillac vs. Alpena - 7 PM
Macomb Lutheran North vs. Allen Park Cabrini - 7 PM
Hemlock vs. St. Louis - 7:30 PM
Thursday – Sept. 10
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Grand Haven - 5 PM
Mt Morris vs. TBD - 5:30 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Linden - 5:45 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills - 6 PM
Armada vs. Richmond - 6 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Brown City - 6 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Mayville - 6 PM
DeWitt vs. Williamston - 6 PM
Fowlerville vs. St Johns - 6 PM
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest - 6:30 PM
South Lyon East vs. White Lake Lakeland - 6:30 PM
Flint Powers Catholic vs. Midland - 6:30 PM
South Lyon vs. Waterford Kettering - 6:30 PM
Macomb L'Anse Creuse North vs. New Baltimore Anchor Bay - 6:30 PM
Negaunee vs. Ishpeming - 6:30 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. Wayland - 7 PM
Hopkins vs. Wyoming Godwin Heights - 7 PM
Fremont vs. Big Rapids - 7 PM
Maple City Glen Lake vs. Buckley - 7 PM
Bear Lake vs. Mason County Eastern - 7 PM
Gladstone vs. Escanaba - 7 PM
Friday – Sept. 11
Marquette vs. Eben Junction Superior Central - 6:30 PM
Saturday – Sept. 12
Cadillac vs. Big Rapids - TBA
Novi vs. TBD - 8 AM
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian vs. TBD - 8:30 AM
Corunna vs. TBD - 8:30 AM
Mt Morris vs. TBD - 8:30 AM
East Kentwood vs. Rockford - 8:30 AM
Multi-team Event @ Mason – Part 1 - 8:30 AM
Caro vs. TBD - 9 AM
Cedar Springs vs. Greenville - 9 AM
Multi-team Event @ Petoskey - 9 AM
Cadillac vs. Essexville Garber - 9 AM
Pellston vs. TBD - 9 AM
Multi-team Event @ Petoskey - 1 PM
Multi-team Event @ Mason- - Part 2 - 1:30 PM
Peck vs. TBD - 6 PM
Monday – Sept. 14
Multi-team Event @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep - 5 PM
Fenton vs. Holly - 5:15 PM
Flint Kearsley vs. Swartz Creek - 5:15 PM
Linden vs. Flushing - 5:15 PM
Bay City John Glenn vs. Essexville Garber - 5:30 PM
Corunna vs. Goodrich - 6:15 PM
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett - 6:30 PM
Calumet vs. Marquette - 6:45 PM
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian vs. Comstock Park - 7 PM
Morley Stanwood vs. Holton - 7 PM
Harrison vs. Sanford Meridian - 7:30 PM
Tuesday – Sept. 15
East Grand Rapids vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern - 6 PM
Peck vs. TBD - 6 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Kingston - 6 PM
Williamston vs. Eaton Rapids - 6 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Dearborn Henry Ford Academy - 6 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Ubly - 6 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6 PM
Wayland vs. Lansing Catholic - 6 PM
Mayville vs. Akron-Fairgrove - 6 PM
Chesaning vs. Durand - 6:15 PM
Gladstone vs. Ishpeming - 6:30 PM
Westland Huron Valley Lutheran vs. Bloomfield Hills Roeper - 6:30 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Marine City - 6:30 PM
Northville vs. Canton - 6:30 PM
Painesdale Jeffers vs. Dollar Bay - 6:30 PM
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Kalamazoo Christian - 6:30 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Flint Powers Catholic - 6:30 PM
Negaunee vs. Escanaba - 6:30 PM
Novi vs. Hartland - 6:30 PM
Brighton vs. Salem - 6:30 PM
South Lyon vs. South Lyon East - 6:30 PM
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian vs. TBD - 6:30 PM
Calumet vs. Hancock - 6:45 PM
Marquette vs. Wakefield-Marenisco - 7 PM
Big Rapids vs. Newaygo - 7 PM
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Livonia Clarenceville - 7 PM
Cass City vs. Vassar - 7:30 PM
St Charles vs. TBD - 7:30 PM
BOYS SOCCER (Home team listed first)
Tuesday – Sept. 8
Ithaca vs. Alma - 5:30 PM
St. Joseph vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - 6:30 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Portage Central - 6:30 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6:45 PM
East Grand Rapids vs. TBD - 6:45 PM
Bloomfield Hills vs. TBD - 7 PM
Saline vs. DeWitt - 7 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Bloomfield Hills Roeper - 7 PM
Walled Lake Western vs. South Lyon East - 7 PM
Walled Lake Central vs. Waterford Kettering - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Birch Run - 7 PM
White Lake Lakeland vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
Brighton vs. Howell - 7 PM
Wednesday – Sept. 9
Plainwell vs. TBD - 6 PM
Hemlock vs. Standish-Sterling - 7 PM
Thursday – Sept. 10
Manchester vs. Stockbridge - 5:30 PM
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. Detroit Catholic Central - 6 PM
Chesaning vs. Otisville LakeVille - 6 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Richland Gull Lake - 6:30 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6:45 PM
Clare vs. Ogemaw Heights - 7 PM
Bloomfield Hills vs. Oxford - 7 PM
South Lyon vs. Walled Lake Northern - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep School vs. TBD - 7 PM
Troy vs. Berkley - 7 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Romulus Summit Academy North - 7 PM
South Lyon East vs. Walled Lake Central - 7 PM
Brighton vs. Novi - 7 PM
Howell vs. Salem - 7 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Utica - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Bay City John Glenn - 7 PM
Friday – Sept. 11
East Grand Rapids vs. TBD - 4 PM
White Lake Lakeland vs. Walled Lake Western - 4:45 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Warren Woods-Tower - 7 PM
Saturday – Sept. 12
Multi-team Event @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep - 9 AM
Monday – Sept. 14
Ithaca vs. Hemlock - 5:30 PM
Manchester vs. Quincy - 5:30 PM
Vicksburg vs. Allegan - 6 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Midland - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North - 7 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. East Kentwood - 7:15 PM
Tuesday – Sept. 15
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Macomb Lutheran North - 4:30 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Battle Creek Central - 6:30 PM
Petoskey vs. Cadillac - 6:45 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Cedar Springs - 6:45 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Plymouth Christian Academy - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. TBD - 7:30 PM
Now in its 12th year, the School Broadcast Program gives members an opportunity to showcase excellence in their schools by creating video programming of athletic and non-athletic events with students gaining skills in announcing, camera operation, directing/producing and graphics. Pixellot – The NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution – is used by schools wishing to live stream games, but lacking the ability to staff the events. The program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 a month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. All content becomes available for free, on-demand viewing 72 hours after being shown live. A portion of every subscription sold by an SBP school goes to benefit its program.
A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.
1975 Class D Football Film Finds Way Back to MHSAA for All to Enjoy Again
By
John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director emeritus
April 11, 2023
Chasing history was one of the most enjoyable parts of serving at the MHSAA for nearly 34 years. Researching information, but especially what I considered for a long time to be talking to the “old guys” (now I’m one of them) and soaking up their verbal histories of our games.
It also involved chasing down old photos, broadcasts and game films – especially those which preceded our more modern video era beginning in the 1990s.
When I arrived at the MHSAA in 1987, there was a shelf of old 16mm film canisters of an assortment of Boys Basketball Finals from the 1950s to the 70s – certainly not a complete set. The Association would shoot some game action from each quarter and the trophy presentations. They’d be sent out to the participating schools to show to the students (I remember watching a Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart game in 1967 when I was in fifth grade). Some would find their way back to the office – most would not.
Will Robinson, the legendary Detroit Public School League coach who led Pershing High School to the league’s first MHSAA titles (in 1967 and 1970) after a district-imposed hiatus from 1931-61 from statewide tournaments, would pull my chain every time we saw each other about those games featuring Spencer Haywood and Ralph Simpson, among others. We never found them.
So it became a project to try and track down as many old game films of state championships as we could.
Any conversation with someone with a history tone always included a question about the whereabouts of a game film or video. One of those recently bore fruit.
When Crystal Falls Forest Park played in the 8-Player Football Finals at the Superior Dome in Marquette back in 2017, I spent a lot of time talking with living legend Bill Santilli, who led the Trojans to the Class D crown in the very first year of the tournament in 1975, and who would later coach the school to a second state title (2007) and serve as athletic director. He said he had a box on his desk collecting dust that he didn’t know what to do with – that box contained an old video tape from that game.
I uttered four little words – “Send It To Me.”
After a while the tape arrived in East Lansing, and I got our video production friends at When We Were Young Productions/Rush Media in Wisconsin on it. This winter, they found someone who could convert it and sent me a file that was recently posted to the MHSAASPORTS Channel on YouTube. You can watch the Trojans play Flint Holy Rosary by Clicking Here or watching above.
There are all kinds of old game films/videos and artifacts in attics, closets, garages, etc., in every town. Two of our Muskegon historians – Ron Pesch, the MHSAA’s history guy; and the old broadcaster, Jim Moyes, who called games on the radio for years in the Port City – can tell stories of their own about discoveries they have made. Moyes found all kinds of mementos while working on his book on the history of high school track & field in Michigan, and sitting with Ron at this year’s Girls Basketball Finals, he told a story of finding the mother lode of photographs from one of his other historical passions – silent film star Buster Keaton – who spent ten summers in the Actor’s Colony in Muskegon.
Pesch found a listing for Eleanor Keaton, Buster’s widow, using a telephone book (remember those?), made a phone call and shortly thereafter, on a vacation to California, was in her living room where he was loaned a photo album and family scrapbook containing all kinds of images from their time in Muskegon. Many of those images appear in a soon-to-be-released documentary, while the album and scrapbook now reside in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library in Beverly Hills, Calif. You can preview the film by Clicking Here.
So if you think you have something of a state championship that could be utilized on a bigger platform and enjoyed by everyone, drop a note to [email protected]. If something needs to be converted to a more modern format, you’ll get a copy back, and the footage will be eventually viewable on the MHSAA’s YouTube channel.
To help guide your search, think in the following terms:
► Just about anything before 1990. But there are gaps during the 90s that need to be filled as well.
► Only Championship games and Semifinal games, unless something momentous occurred (like Richie Jordan’s 60-point game for Fennville against Bridgman in a Regional Semifinal in 1965, which is still an all-time tournament single-game record for boys basketball).
► For a list of what’s in the MHSAA archives prior to 2000 – Click Here. A long-term project is to get all of the games on the list and up to about 2010 uploaded to the YouTube channel. Most games from 2013-14 on can be viewed on the NFHS Network, and some games between 2010 and 2013 are available for purchase as DVDs from PrepFilms.com.
PHOTO Posing with the championship trophy after the 1975 Class D Football Final are (left to right): Forest Park tight end Bryan LaChapelle, quarterback Richard Mettlach, head coach Dick Mettlach and running back Bill Santilli.