MHSAA Thanks Ford Field's 'Danny J'

January 28, 2021

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA this past weekend celebrated and honored Dan Jaroshewich – known to many in the sports community as “Danny J” – who is retiring at senior director of sports events & business development after 48 years with the Detroit Lions organization, including many taking a significant role in MHSAA Finals played now at Ford Field.

Jaroshewich worked 30 years in the Detroit Lions equipment room before coordinating events at Ford Field over the last 18 years. He worked countless Lions home games going back to when they played at Tiger Stadium and then Pontiac Silverdome, and he also traveled with the team.

His passion and  dedication for hosting events – including MHSAA events – will be missed, as he has been a staple at Ford Field since the stadium opened in 2002.

Jaroshewich was presented with a commemorative plaque during halftime of Friday’s Division 8 Final.

PHOTO: “Danny J” is recognized by the MHSAA this past weekend for his work hosting Football Finals at Ford Field. Second from right, Jaroshewich is pictured with, from left, MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals event staff Dante Favors, Laura Roberts and Mike Evoy, MHSAA assistant director Nate Hampton and MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl. (Photo by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)

2021-22 Parade of Champions Features 98 Schools, Multiple 1st-Time Title Winners

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 27, 2022

A total of 98 schools won one or more of the 128 Michigan High School Athletic Association team championships awarded during the 2021-22 school sports year, with two teams earning the first Finals championship in any sport in their schools’ histories. 

Hillsdale Academy celebrated its first MHSAA Finals championship by winning the Lower Peninsula Division 4 boys cross country title Nov. 6. That same day, Wyoming Potter’s House Christian claimed its first Finals title by winning the Division 4 boys soccer championship.

A total of 21 schools won two or more championships this school year, paced by East Grand Rapids’ five won in girls cross country, girls lacrosse, girls track & field and both girls and boys swimming & diving. Ann Arbor Pioneer and Marquette were next with four Finals championships. Pioneer won in girls cross country, girls tennis and both girls and boys swimming & diving. Marquette won in boys cross country, boys track & field and both girls and boys swimming & diving.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood and Hudson both won three Finals championships. Winning two titles in 2021-22 were Allen Park, Ann Arbor Greenhills, Brighton, Detroit Catholic Central, Escanaba, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, Hart, Hartland, Houghton, Ishpeming Westwood, Lansing Catholic, Munising, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, Powers North Central, Warren De La Salle Collegiate and Williamston.

A total of 29 teams won first MHSAA titles in their respective sports. A total of 45 champions were repeat winners from 2020-21. A total of 20 teams won championships for at least the third-straight season, while six teams extended title streaks to at least four consecutive seasons. The Lowell wrestling program owns the longest title streak at nine seasons. 

Sixteen of the MHSAA's 28 team championship tournaments are unified, involving teams from the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, while separate competition to determine titlists in both Peninsulas is conducted in remaining sports.

Click Here for a sport-by-sport listing of MHSAA champions for 2021-22.