MHSAA's Roberts to Retire in August

MHSAA News

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 24, 2018

For 32 years, Jack Roberts has served as much more than a caretaker of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

In announcing his retirement Tuesday, he called working for 1,500 schools and hundreds of thousands of student-athletes over three decades his "purpose."

John E. “Jack” Roberts, who has served as executive director of the MHSAA since the fall of 1986, will retire in August.

Roberts will conclude his tenure as the second-longest serving full-time executive director during the MHSAA’s 94-year history. He is the fourth person to serve that leadership role full time, following Charles E. Forsythe (1931-42, 1945-68), Allen W. Bush (1968-78) and Vern L. Norris (1978-86). Roberts currently is also the nation’s longest-serving executive director of a state high school athletic association.

The MHSAA has enjoyed continued growth under Roberts’ guidance, particularly in the number of Michigan high school students participating in athletics and in the number of MHSAA-sponsored tournament sports available to them.

The Association also has made unprecedented advances in providing for the health and safety of athletes and promoting sportsmanship and the values of educational athletics and while working to preserve competitive equity for its more than 1,500 member high school and junior high/middle schools.

“I don’t think anybody could have been luckier than I to enjoy their work so much and to enjoy the people he worked with so much,” Roberts said. “It has been a blessing to be able to bring my passions to work every day and be able to act on my convictions. I don’t think anybody could ever feel more called to a job than I did."

Under Roberts’ leadership, overall participation in high school athletics in Michigan has increased 10 percent, and the MHSAA has added more than 200 schools in increasing its membership by more than 15 percent at the high school and junior high/middle school levels combined. Most recently, in 2016, 6th-graders were allowed to compete for member schools for the first time as a push was made to increase junior high/middle school membership and serve the state’s students earlier in their athletic careers.

His tenure has seen the addition of girls competitive cheer (1994), girls & boys bowling (2004) and girls & boys lacrosse (2005) to the tournament sport lineup, the creation of separate wrestling tournament to determine champions by team format (1988) and 8-player football (2010, first playoffs 2011) as many small schools across the state began having trouble fielding 11-player teams because of enrollment and population decreases. Meanwhile, also under his leadership, the 11-player Football Playoffs expanded, doubling to 256 teams in 1999.

A number of key rules changes came under Roberts’ watch and direction, including the addition of opportunities for multiple schools to create cooperative teams in sports where participation is lagging, as well as the creation of down time and dead periods (2006) to ease pressure for year-round activity. A comprehensive sportsmanship package enacted in 1996 set a statewide tone for appropriate behavior and perspective that continues to make an impact today.

But the most significant and arguably lasting work influenced by Roberts came on topics not related to specific sports or competition. The MHSAA has led nationally in concussion care with its first programming in 2000 and return-to-play protocols enacted in 2010, and with concussion pilot testing, mandated reporting and insurance for those who suffer head injuries rolled out in 2015.

A heat management policy and CPR requirements for coaches were introduced in 2013. The first program for coaches education was launched in 1987 and evolved into the Coaches Advancement Program that is now required for all newly-hired varsity head coaches, and all coaches (head or assistant) at all high school levels (varsity and subvarsity) are now required to take annual rules/health meetings.

The Women in Sports Leadership Conference was created in 1989 and remains the first, largest and longest-running program of its type in the country, regularly drawing upwards of 500 participants. The first of now-annual statewide Athletic Director In-Service Programs was conducted in 1992, and the MHSAA’s website – MHSAA.com – was launched in 1997. That same year the first of the now-annual Sportsmanship Summits was held, and Michigan remains a national leader in student services thanks to a variety of programs that have been introduced over the last three decades.

“We have accomplished a great deal over 32 years, but there is very much more to do – and it will always be that way,” Roberts said. “People ask me if I have any regrets, and I don’t have many. But two come to mind right now.

“I regret that I didn’t spend more time writing notes to the folks I’ve been serving at the local level who work so hard delivering the program every day, every week, every season, every year to the young people that we serve. I wish I’d done more of that – that encouraging word to people in the trenches doing the work.

“And I suppose the second regret is that in spite of everything that we’ve done, there’s still a lot more to do to keep school sports as safe, sane and sportsmanlike as it ought to be – as it must be for schools to continue to sponsor these programs. You see, school sports done right brings help and hope to parents and to schools who are trying as hard as they can to raise up and educate kids in very, very scary times. School sports helps parents and helps schools bring stability and engagement into young people’s lives that can provide them life lessons and turn some good athletes into great citizens down the road.”

Roberts privately made the decision to retire during May 2017. But even as he has prepared for his retirement this summer, he’s catalyzed a Multi-Sport Participation Task Force charged with promoting the benefits of playing more than one sport and led the facilitating of statewide discussion on a sport-based transfer rule proposal that will come before the MHSAA's Representative Council in May.

In addition to his work specifically in Michigan, Roberts has carried significant influence at the national level. With his retirement, he also will be leaving the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Board of Directors. He led the creation of the NFHS Network for video productions in 2012 and is finishing an extended term as that board’s chairperson. He also has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).

Roberts previously served as an assistant director for the National Federation from 1973-80. He came to the MHSAA in 1986 from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which he served as executive vice president. During the last 45 years, Roberts has spoken to education, business and civic groups in nearly every state and five Canadian provinces and continues to be hailed as one of the nation’s most articulate advocates for educational athletics.

"We have always felt that we had the best executive director in the United States. What he's done for interscholastic athletics in Michigan is incredible," said MHSAA Representative Council President Scott Grimes, who serves as assistant superintendent of human services for Grand Haven Area Public Schools.

"Jack has always had student-athletes' best interests in mind when making all decisions, and he's had tough decisions to make. We certainly will miss his leadership in our state."

In addition to his MHSAA work, Roberts has served as board president for the Refugee Development Center in Lansing for nine years and this year is the chair of the board of trustees for the Capital Regional Community Foundation. He is a 1970 graduate of Dartmouth College and taught English and coached football at high schools in Milwaukee and Denver before joining the NFHS staff. He and his wife Peggy reside in East Lansing, and his late father, John Roberts, served as the executive director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) from 1957-86.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.

PHOTOS: From left, Jack Roberts during an interview in 1986, at Ford Field in 2005 and during a Representative Council meeting in 2014.

2023 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class A

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 21, 2023

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 14 student-athletes from Class A member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.

Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 34th year of sponsoring the award, will give $2,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.

Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.

The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized March 25 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.

The Class A Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Jane Barnett, Royal Oak; Ella Blank, Birmingham Groves; Nora Chamas, Dearborn; Caroline Colt, Milford; Abby Frushour, DeWitt; Naomi Sowa, East Lansing; Keira Tolmie, Clarkston; James Baer, Holland; Brendan Downey, Grosse Pointe South; Ryan Lee, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern; Shubhan Nagarkar, Midland Dow; Shane Pitcher, Saline; Isaac Postema, Grand Haven; and Ian Robertson, Traverse City West.

Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class A Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:

(NOTE: If an athlete intended to play and was part of a spring sports team in 2020, that sport is counted among the athlete’s total although the season was canceled due to COVID-19.)

Jane Barnett, Royal Oak
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Also participating in Special Olympics Michigan Unified basketball. Helped cross country team to MHSAA Finals three times and earned all-league honors in track. Contributed to academic all-state team honor. Served or will serve as captain of both varsities. Serving as senior class secretary, second year as representative officer to district’s Parent Student Teacher Association and third year as officer for Model United Nations; also has served on student council all four years of high school. Playing fourth year in symphony orchestra, and was principal cellist. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, and designed and taught lessons weekly to second-grade student as a Study Buddy program mentor. Will attend University of Michigan and study public health sciences.

Essay Quote: “As a coach’s daughter, I have had a lifetime of appreciating the joys and the heartaches of the sport. Supporting others has taught me to be a better runner and person. Sportsmanship is not only a way to keep the peace; it's the foundation upon which the transformative nature of sports can take place.”

Ella Blank, Birmingham Groves
Played three seasons of varsity golf, playing second of varsity basketball and will play fourth of varsity softball this spring; also played junior varsity volleyball as a freshman. Earned all-league in softball and was part of academic all-state teams in golf and softball. Served as captain of varsity golf and softball teams and junior varsity basketball team. Named National Merit Commended Scholar. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third of National Math Honor Society. Serving as president of math club and co-president of Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Playing fourth year in marching and jazz bands and symphony, and second as section leader. Founded and directs Sandlot Summer Camp and has umpired youth softball all four years of high school. Serving as The Hidden Opponent student-athletes mental health program campus captain, and has served as volunteer religious school teacher and camp counselor also throughout her high school career. Will attend University of Michigan and study physics.

Essay Quote: “Being a good sport goes beyond cordiality and shaking hands after a match. Good sportsmanship creates trust, and trust creates respect. ... Actions on the field have effects on opinions off of it.”

Nora Chamas, Dearborn
Ran two seasons of varsity cross country and will play her fourth of varsity tennis this spring. Helped tennis team to league championship as a junior and served as captain in that sport and as alternate captain for cross country. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and serving as chapter president, and also serving fourth year on student council. Serving second year on superintendent’s student advisory council and participating in fourth year of key club, serving as treasurer. Playing fourth year in orchestra and as first chair violinist. Participating in second year of social justice club and as social media manager, and serving as president of Discover Islam Club and DHS Pad Project having also founded the latter. Serving as treasurer of future medical professions club and representative in Arabic club, and in second year of tutoring elementary students. Earned multiple awards for work in voter registration. Is undecided where she will attend college and is still considering her future course of study.

Essay Quote: “To me, sportsmanship is the act of believing in others. … If we want to cultivate a flourishing population of students, we must first believe in one another. Only then will we find thoughtful pupils and passionate futurists.”

Caroline Colt, Milford
Played three seasons of varsity golf and will play fourth of varsity tennis this spring; also created team and is participating in second year of Unified basketball. Qualified for MHSAA Golf Finals as individual as a junior and was part of academic all-state team, and also earned academic all-league in both sports. Served multiple seasons as golf varsity captain and will serve as tennis co-captain this spring. Participating in second years of National Honor Society, DECA and as part of student docent scholarship program with the Milford Historical Society. Serving as vice president of NHS chapter, assistant editor of school newspaper, ambassador for The Letter Project and treasurer of stock market club; also has served as assistant tennis coach for local parks & recreation department. Earned multiple DECA district championships. Is undecided where she will attend college, but plans to pursue studies in medicine and humanities.

Essay Quote: “As a golfer, tennis player, and all-around athlete, I have been told my entire life to follow the rules, play fair, and have fun. Yet, when faced with difficult choices, I often see my competitors lack honor and integrity. I believe that true sportsmanship is rare, yet is the most crucial characteristic of being a great athlete.”

Abby Frushour, DeWitt
Competed four seasons on varsity swimming & diving team and will play her fourth season of tennis this spring. Helped swim & dive team to three league championships and earned all-zone honorable mention and all-league academic honors. Served as that team’s co-captain two seasons. Named a finalist for National Merit Scholarship and earned AP Scholar honor as a junior. Serving as class council president in fourth year as officer. Represented student body at district’s strategic planning retreat. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and first as part of school’s chamber choir. Participating in third year as part of youth camp teen service team. Is undecided where she will attend college, but intends to study political science.

Essay Quote: “We all know the rules for a socially acceptable handshake: right hand, firm grip, eye contact. However, you’ll find that these rules do not apply at the end of the 500-yard freestyle. After charging into the wall, with a pounding heart and burning arms and numb legs and not a single ounce of energy left, it’s difficult to care if you look stupid while congratulating your opponents. … But here’s the truth: It doesn’t matter how strange the interaction may look. So long as you make a genuine effort to recognize and respect the achievements of your opponent, you are practicing good sportsmanship.”

Naomi Sowa, East Lansing
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball and will play her fourth of varsity softball this spring. Earned all-area and all-league in both sports, all-region in volleyball, and also all-league academic honors in both. Served as captain of both varsity teams. Carrying 4.0 GPA and earned AP Scholar Award posting highest-possible score on two exams. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as chapter historian. Playing fourth year in school’s wind ensemble, as first chair clarinet as a senior, and previously earned festival award and performed at Michigan Music Conference. Is undecided where she will attend college, but intends to study computational mathematics or data science.

Essay Quote: “True sportsmanship lies in respecting others, and you cannot call yourself a conductor of sportsmanship without looking inward and reflecting on the actions you take and decisions you make. … Whether we accept it or not, the person we are on the playing surface is the same person we are in our everyday lives. Sportsmanship can be sought out in all things, in all places, and in all people. The empathetic capability goes beyond the playing surface, transcends the world of sports, and prepares athletes to journey through the world with a purpose, cultivating a duty to make the world a better place.”

Keira Tolmie, Clarkston
Playing fourth season of varsity basketball and will play fourth of varsity softball this spring. Made all-state first team in softball and all-league and county in basketball, helping the latter to three District championships entering this winter. Selected as captain of both varsity teams multiple seasons. Carries 4.2 GPA and is participating in second year of National Honor Society. Serving second year on MHSAA Student Advisory Council and participating in third year in school’s leadership program. Served through high school as youth sports camp counselor and this year as elementary school mentor for refugee student. Will attend Central Michigan University and study on a pre-medical track as she pursues a career as a radiologist.

Essay Quote: “The only way I will be successful in life is to put others first and to earn the respect of those around me. Even in competition, it is possible to be respectful, show kindness, empathy and compassion all while working as hard as possible with a winning spirit. Complaining to officials, faking injuries and displaying anger after a loss does not show any respect as an athlete for the sport that you’ve worked so hard to excel at, and is counter-intuitive to why we compete.”

James Baer, Holland
Competing in fourth varsity season on swimming & diving team and played second season of varsity tennis in the fall. Will compete in second varsity season of track & field this spring and also played junior varsity soccer as a freshman and sophomore. Earned all-state in swimming as a three-time Finals qualifier entering this season, and reached Finals flight quarterfinals in tennis. Serving as captain of swim & dive team and was captain of tennis team in the fall. Participating in second years of National Honor Society, serving on the executive board, and student senate. Participating in second year of chess club, as team captain, and also second year of quiz bowl. Selected for school’s top show choir in first year, as a senior, and was lead in school musical as a junior. Is undecided where he will attend college, but intends to study economics.

Essay Quote: “Ultimately, high school sports are outlets for student athletes to gain mental fortitude while learning valuable cooperative and leadership abilities. I am a naturally competitive person who is driven by goals; however, upon entering high school I quickly realized that I stood to gain more through building relationships with teammates and competitors than through setting records or winning matches.”

Brendan Downey, Grosse Pointe South
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will compete in fourth of track & field this spring; also played junior varsity basketball as a freshman. Qualified for MHSAA Finals in track the last two seasons and placed 16th in Lower Peninsula Division 1 in 1,600 meters. Earned all-league and all-county in cross country while ranking among school’s fastest all-time in that sport. Served as captain of cross country team and will serve as track & field captain this spring. Named National Merit Commended Scholar as a senior and AP Scholar with Distinction as a junior. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, serving as secretary, second year of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and first of Spanish Honor Society. Serving second year as copy editor and staff judge for school’s art and literary magazine, and has had poetry published. Participating in third year of school’s Interact Club and second in peer-to-peer program assisting students with autism. Will attend University of Michigan and major in public policy.

Essay Quote: “Sports are not just about the championship trophy or all-state status. Sports are a blueprint for life: they teach student-athletes to be respectful, to practice empathy, to be generous, and sometimes, to put another’s success before one’s own.”

Ryan Lee, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, earning three all-state honors including making the first team twice, and helped team to two Lower Peninsula Division 2 Finals championships while also earning one individual flight Finals title. Served as captain multiple seasons. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and participated in DECA throughout high school, earning state championship in 2022 and serving as club president. Participating in second year with Van Andel Institute Student Journal Club, as chapter president. Founded and serves as president of Racquets for Rapids, which refurbishes used racquets for redistribution to community organizations. Conducted carbon tax research through International Socioeconomic Laboratory, with findings approved for publication in Journal of Student Research. Is undecided where he will attend college, but intends to study economics and mathematics.

Essay Quote: “In a peculiar way, sports are a microcosm of life. We win, and we lose. We form the strongest of bonds and the greatest of rivalries. We learn the value of discipline and resilience, and we compete fiercely with others to reach victory. Through all this turmoil, it is sometimes a challenge to maintain sportsmanship, integrity, and compassion. Through tennis, more so than any other activity, I have had opportunities to develop these qualities such that they have become more important than the outcome.”

Shubhan Nagarkar, Midland Dow
Played four years of tennis, helping team to Lower Peninsula Division 2 Finals championship this past fall and reaching flight final and semifinals during last two seasons. Earned all-state honorable mention and ranks in MHSAA record book for multiple doubles categories. Named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, and AP Scholar with Distinction twice. Qualified for national competitions as part of American Computer Science League and Math League, and earned MathCon national honorable mention. Serving as Michigan State University St. Andrews Research intern, and participated in robotics and math club all four years. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third on A.H. Nickless Innovation Competition team. Playing fourth year in symphonic band and symphony orchestra, as clarinet section leader, and earned “1” state ratings for solo and ensemble clarinet, and piano from Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. Is undecided where he will attend college, but intends to study biomedical engineering.

Essay Quote: “More than learning every detail about tennis in that first year of varsity, I absorbed the complex dynamics of sportsmanship and saw the ubiquity of it outside of sports. Whether it is displaying respect and gratitude to an opponent following a heart-wrenching loss in the state finals or restraining your pride and supporting others after a key win, you will never regret your actions.”

Shane Pitcher, Saline
Ran two years of varsity cross country and will compete in third of varsity track & field this spring. Earned all-region in cross country and all-league in track, and will finish senior year having served as captain of both teams. Participating in second years of National Honor Society – earning silver service honor – and student council. Participated in Boy Scouts throughout high school, attaining Eagle Scout plus earning two Eagle Palms, and was selected to BSA’s Order of the Arrow. Participating in third year including second on executive council for Connecting Club, and wrote $10,000 grant for a disability-inclusive space. Participated with Students About Staying Healthy chapter all four years including as treasurer as a senior, and three years in Generation Global program. Will attend Hope College and study social studies secondary education, with a minor in exercise science.

Essay Quote: “I understand that sports are emotional especially in the wake of a poor performance, but to be a sore loser after that says something about that person. It says to your opponent that you aren’t able to compose yourself and aren’t able to respond to hard situations. Responding with grace is always a more rewarding approach. Taking an inevitable loss with grace is a huge part of sportsmanship.”

Isaac Postema, Grand Haven
Played four seasons of varsity tennis, including at No. 1 singles his final three years. Won league championship and reached MHSAA Finals as a senior and earned all-state honorable mention for second time, and also senior all-state academic award. Served as team captain. Earned National Merit Scholarship Commendation as a junior and made academic honors list at Muskegon Community College during two years of early college program. Participating in second year of National Honor Society. Playing third year in orchestra and second as part of honors orchestra, as first chair cello, and earned “1” state rating from Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and invitation to Michigan Music Conference. Playing third year in school’s GOTAK Fiddle Club and as rhythm leader as a senior. Is undecided where he will attend college.

Essay Quote: “Winning meant nothing if it was accompanied by taunting and celebrations, and losing was incredibly honorable if it was taken with humility and poise. Poor sportsmanship not only reflects badly on the individual but can also influence how people may feel about the sport, degrading it as a whole. Good sportsmanship reflects positively on the player and the sport, allowing everyone to enjoy it.”

Ian Robertson, Traverse City West
Playing third season of varsity basketball, played two of varsity soccer and will play his third of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-state honorable mention and league Player of the Year recognition in soccer and all-league and all-District in baseball. Helped those two teams to District championships and served as captain of all three varsity teams. Participating in fourth year of student senate, as student governor after also having served as recording secretary, and third year of National Honor Society. Has helped raise more than $20,000 for charity through student government work and contributed more than 85 hours of community service. Served as youth basketball coach throughout high school. Served as section leader of school’s “Bleacher Creatures” student section that won the 2021-22 MHSAA Battle of the Fans. Will attend Tufts University in Massachusetts and study on a pre-medical track.

Essay Quote: “At the end of the day, while winning and competing are some of the forefront goals of competitors, equally important is the experience and educational aspect that high school sports have to offer.”

Other Class A girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Colleen Blackwood, Linden; Sophia Borowski, Grosse Pointe North; Abigail Cumings, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central; Kathleen Doneth, Mason; Ana Dunfee, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix; Amyla Eberhart, South Lyon East; Ella Eitniear, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills; Miryam El-Saghir, Dearborn Edsel Ford; Sophia Hekkema, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer; Daria Igonin, Belleville; Kate Mazur, South Lyon East; Leah Merriam, Milford; Wendy Miedema, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix; Adrienne Staib, Fenton; Ella Thomas, Brownstown Woodhaven; Eva Whiteman, Holland; and Rachel Williamson, East Grand Rapids.

Other Class A boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Connor Anderson, Cadillac; Abhinav Attaluri, Northville; Jack Bakus, Midland Dow; Treyton William Carr, Hudsonville; Isaac David Clark, Caledonia; Samuel Gibson, Plainwell; Braylen Himmelein, Davison; Henry Jackson, Bloomfield Hills; Nathan Katic, Fenton; Brayden Ryan LaCroix, Grandville; James Patterson Jr., Lake Orion; James Rocco, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix; Danny Safadi, Midland Dow; Harsimmer Sohi, Portage Central; Gavyn Stout, Muskegon Mona Shores; Trevor Wallar, Zeeland West; and David Whitaker, Northville.

The Class C/D scholarship award recipients were announced Feb. 7, and the Class B honorees were announced Feb. 14.

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