Battle of the Fans: Petoskey, Here We Come

February 16, 2012

Only one stop remains on the MHSAA "Battle of the Fans" tour.

Friday is Snowcoming at Petoskey High, and the Blue Crew has the fifth and final shot at proving it's the top student cheering section in Michigan this winter.

Petoskey hosts a varsity doubleheader against West Branch Ogemaw Heights. Check in over the weekend for the story behind the section and video of the Blue Crew in action.

The Battle of the Fans Tour began in Frankenmuth, then moved to Grand Rapids Christian and Reese before hitting Rockford two weeks ago. Stories and videos on those four student sections can be found by clicking the links at the bottom of this page under "Related Articles."

Voting runs Monday-Thursday on our Facebook page, with the big announcement coming Friday. And all five finalists will be part of a video that runs on the Breslin Center scoreboard throughout the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals next month.

The contest was organized by the MHSAA's Student Advisory Council. 

Sportsmanship Summits Go Annual

October 29, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Michigan High School Athletic Association will present its Sportsmanship Summit series again this November as the program becomes an annual event after previously being presented every other school year at four sites across the state.

MHSAA staff, with assistance from school administrators and the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, conduct Sportsmanship Summits. More than 1,000 students from more than 100 schools are expected to take part in the four workshops, where they will discuss the line that separates good from bad sportsmanship, especially when it comes to cheering at athletic events.

“Sportsmanship is a key part of athletic competition and should be a way of life for all young athletes,” said MHSAA assistant director Andy Frushour, who leads the Summits and serves as advisor to the Student Advisory Council. “By bringing the Sportsmanship Summit series to students every year, and to all areas of the state more regularly, we can better promote this value that will continue to serve student-athletes as they move on from high school and into other endeavors.”

Instruction will be based in part on insights gained during the Student Advisory Council’s Battle of the Fans competitions. The contest annually recognizes the best student cheering section in Michigan. The first Battle of the Fans champion was awarded at the end of the 2011-12 winter season.

This fall’s Summits again will feature hands-on breakout sessions – including one session developed and instructed by members of the Student Advisory Council. To conclude the Summits, the delegation from each participating school will meet to develop a youth sportsmanship campaign to implement upon returning to school.

Sessions will take place at the following:

  • Marquette – Nov. 9 – University Center, Northern Michigan University  – 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Warren – Nov. 11 – DeCarlos Banquet Center – 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Kalamazoo – Nov. 16 – Downtown Radisson – 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Lansing – Nov. 18 – Crowne Plaza Lansing West – 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Registration at each site is limited to the first 300 students and administrators, and the Lansing and Marquette Summits are sold out. Schools are welcome to bring as many as 10 total representatives, including two administrators. For additional registration information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA office – [email protected] or (517) 332-5046. 

Registration information also is available on the MHSAA Website.