SAC Sound-off: The State of Sportsmanship
April 17, 2012
This week, we asked our MHSAA Student Advisory Council -- made up of athletes representing nearly every sport the MHSAA sponsors -- if they've seen more or less sportsmanship during their high school sports careers.
Here's what they told us:
Good news
“I’ve seen an increase, especially on our golf team because we’ve made that a priority on the team. Also, our school has made it a bigger focus.” – Kalamazoo Hackett junior Abby Radomsky
“An increase most definitely has been seen in the department of sportsmanship throughout my high school career. … Due to the rising levels of leadership and drive shown by students and coaches to display that life skills are taught through sports, not only the sport.” – New Buffalo senior Lena Madison
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship because I think the whole idea of ‘Good sports are winners’ has had an impact on student athletes.” – Rogers City junior Evan Lamb
“I have seen an increase overall, especially in my area. I have tried to spread the ideas of positive sportsmanship throughout the U.P., and many people have made the change. It’s pretty awesome.” – Rudyard senior Tyler Wilson
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship because the idea of being a good sport has been brought to the forefront of high school sports by the MHSAA and the SAC.” – Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman
For some right reasons
“As my teammates have matured, I think we have learned more about how crucial having good sportsmanship is to the success of the team.” – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep junior Carly Joseph
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship because I feel more and more kids are playing for the love of the game and not only to win.” – Muskegon Catholic Central senior Alissa Jones
As athletes grow up
“I have seen an increase throughout my time in high school, mostly because of the increased maturity level and understanding of what is right.” – Grand Blanc senior Bailey Truesdell
“I have seen an increase in sportsmanship. I believe this is because there is an increase in the level of maturity.” – Vandercook Lake junior Thye Fischman
Somewhere in the middle
“I haven’t really noticed a change either way. I have never come in contact with very poor sportsmanship, which is probably why it seems to stay the same.” – Walled Lake Central junior Taylor Krumm
“I haven’t noticed an increase or a decrease in high school sports. I think high school athletes act the same as when I entered high school.” – Travis Clous, Benzie Central senior
Something to consider
“I think a decrease because as students grow up and become more comfortable playing, I think they forget what they have been taught and feel as though they are entitled. I know student that think the older they are, the more they know; so they talk back to coaches and players.” – Maria Buczkowski, Detroit Country Day senior
Performance of the Week: Detroit Catholic Central's Darius Marines
March 8, 2024
Darius Marines ♦ Detroit Catholic Central
Senior ♦ Wrestling
Marines became the 36th wrestler in Michigan high school history to win a fourth Individual Finals championship as he clinched the 157-pound title with a 10-2 major decision over Roseville's previously-undefeated Jay'Den Williams on Saturday at Ford Field. Marines became the third Detroit Catholic Central wrestler to earn four Finals titles.
The clinching victory put Marines at 50-0 to close this season, and 138-9 for his career. His previous championships came at 145 pounds as a freshman, 152 as a sophomore and 157 last year as a junior. He won by technical fall, pin and then major decision on the way to meeting Williams in the championship match. He also helped the Shamrocks to Division 1 team titles the last two seasons. Marines will continue wrestling at the college level and is considering multiple Division I opportunities.
@mhsaasports 🤼♂️POW: Darius Marines #wrestling #individual #detroitcatholiccentral #letsgo #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🤼♂️POW: Darius Marines #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #muhammadali #joker #pasta #japan #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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Past 2023-24 Honorees
March 1: Rylee Smith, Zeeland West bowling - Report
Feb. 22: Caleb Lewandowski, Traverse City West skiing - Report
Feb. 15: Jadin Mix, Onaway basketball - Report
Feb. 8: Onalee Wallis, Cadillac skiing - Report
Feb. 1: Abbey DeGraw, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek competitive cheer - Report
Jan. 25: Ewan Todd, Riverview swimming - Report
Jan. 18: Ashley Weller, Jackson Northwest basketball - Report
Jan. 11: Michael Baldwin, Saginaw Arthur Hill wrestling - Report
Dec. 15: Jena Fijolek, Fenton bowling - Report
Dec. 8: Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1: Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24: Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17: Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10: Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20: Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13: Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5: Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29: MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22: Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15: Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8: Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
PHOTO DCC's Darius Marines, left, wrestles Roseville's Jay'Den Williams in the Division 1 157-pound championship match Saturday at Ford Field. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)