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5 Ways Frankenmuth is Flying High

February 7, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

FRANKENMUTH – In a section of stands nearest the door to welcome all who enter Frankenmuth’s gym, the first Battle of the Fans champion was born five years ago.

The seventh graders that winter of 2012 are seniors now. And the Eagles on Friday were seeking to add the title of first two-time champion to that original BOTF banner as we finished up this year’s finalists tour with our fifth and last stop.  

The breakdown: This was our third visit to Frankenmuth in six years of Battle of the Fans. The student section hasn’t come up with a catchy name for itself, but it certainly has a reputation across the Saginaw and Thumb areas for the raucous atmosphere it creates during games, along with plenty of singing, dancing and general silliness. The Eagles always had decent student support for their successful football and girls and boys basketball teams, but amped up the organization, excitement and following five years ago – just in time to win that first BOTF title.

This trip, we met with seniors Megan Watkins, Shafer Webb, Kris Roche, Dalton Enequist and Jackie Weess, and juniors Kyle Robinson and Sam Tagget for the Eagles’ boys basketball game against Millington. Below is our video and takeaways after another visit with our first BOTF champion.

1. They’re carrying on a legacy.

That 2012 championship is a point of pride, at least for this year’s leaders, and perhaps especially to Webb and Robinson – their older brothers led Frankenmuth's section when it won the inaugural contest. The Eagles were a BOTF finalist in 2013 as well, but not again until this season. Students still turned out to support their classmates at games, but it took a driven leadership group to help the section step back into contention. Roche said the effort was kicked off with a hype video played during the “Friday Feed,” a weekly video show played school-wide. Leaders have worked closely clearing everything – themes, cheers, wild halftime shows (see below) – with athletic director Kevin Schwedler. Excitement started building during football season, and the turning point was the team’s trip and caravan that followed to Marquette for a Division 5 Semifinal at the Superior Dome. “Being on the sideline looking up at that crowd, it was easy to realize that we had a student body that was excited about being in the student section,” said Roche, a standout fullback and linebacker. “You don’t travel six and a half hours for a high school game if you don’t have pride in your school and want to be a part of it.”

2. They don’t care about being cool.

If you show up in normal clothes, you’re going to be the one looking ridiculous. That’s a direct quote from one of the leaders, and it remains true as much as it was evident during our first visit five years ago. The Eagles take their themes seriously, and the weirder the better. “That’s the biggest thing, trying to get the underclassmen out of their shells, realizing you don’t have to be all self-conscious and what not coming into high school,” Tagget said. “The whole point of the student section is to look as ridiculous as possible when you walk out into that set of bleachers.”

3. United, they stand.  

Frankenmuth has 530 students, and at least half of them loaded the stands for Friday’s game. Granted, it was against rival Millington, but leaders boast that they bring a higher percentage of the student body to most games than other schools and rally as well to support a girls basketball team that has won 105 straight league games although often those contests are played midweek instead of Fridays. Even some of the parents got in the game for “costume night” with jerseys on top and lederhosen below. Coaches for both basketball teams have thanked the section for its support this season, and the solidarity with those teams is obvious from section leaders’ involvement in pregame introductions to their near-constant support throughout the game. It's common for student sections to have dances/stunts/skits planned for breaks. But what sets the elite sections apart is how they engage in cheering for their teams during play. Frankenmuth was all in on every possession from start to finish, chanting names of their classmates after they scored, celebrating baskets even when the final result had long been decided, and mixing in a little German chant for made free throws. 

4. Eagles treat student section like another sport.

All seven leaders who met with us play at least one sport. They see the student section as another, which explains their competitive pursuit of the BOTF title. Watkins has spent more time editing videos over the last month than working on her golf game – although she’s playing that sport next year when she moves on to Western Michigan University. And like with our other finalists this year, getting the section ready from week to week and especially for the BOTF visit was a group effort fueled by high expectations. “We hold ourselves to a standard of excellence, and for every sport the goal is a championship,” Roche said. “This is our Super Bowl. We’re here to win.”

5. They’re always on their game.

In this case, that means a couple of things. Frankenmuth brings plenty of originality to the table, with theme nights like “Lit-mas” (think Lit + Christmas) and Friday's  “Costume Night,” which saw a mix of German garb highlighting the town’s heritage but also a variety of costumes and signs that defined random. What they did do together was cheer from before tipoff through the end of a 36-point win – and as was the case during our visits in 2012 and 2013, every break in the action at a Frankenmuth game is an opportunity to sing and dance, this time featuring everything from Miley Cyrus to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” We’re hesitant to explain halftime, even if leaders assured us they were “professionals” before rolling out mats and taking part in a WWE-style wrestling match complete with body slams and metal chairs. Kids, don’t try this at home – or at your schools without prior administrative approval.

In their words

Teachable moments: “I think with high school and everything in general nowadays, there’s a stereotype of how you should act, how you should dress,” Watkins said. “The freshman girls look at the senior girls, and I remember when I was a freshman and I saw the seniors, and they didn’t care – they wanted to express themselves and be who they are. And I think that’s why with our themes we dress crazy and we’re all different. … You grow into yourself and you have that confidence about you. We’re all athletes and we all understand that you have to live life with a little bit of confidence with our sports, with our grades, everything. (The section) kinda taught us that over the years; it’s just a student section, but it means a lot more than what people think it would.”

This was the goal: “Growing up, I always had my eyes on the student section,” Tagget said. “To be honest I never had any idea what it was. I just thought it was people going crazy in the stands. But I grew up with Kyle (Robinson), and being around his brother, he was the laughing-stock. And watching him lead the student section, I said that’s what I want to do when I get to high school.”

Tradition will live on: “We’ve got these (juniors), and they know the standard they have to hold, not only for themselves and the other leaders, but every student,” Roche said. “My little brother is going to be a freshman next year, and all his friends are beyond excited about their opportunity. And I think the excitement around here in the community, it’s real again. I don’t think we’re going be going away for a long time.”

Next up on BOTF: With all five visits complete, public voting for this year’s champion will begin Feb. 13 on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds and continue through Feb. 16. To vote, like, retweet and/or share the photo of your favorite student section. The winner will be announced Feb. 17 on Second Half, and representatives from all five finalists will be invited March 24 to the Class B Boys Basketball Semifinals at the Breslin Center, where the winner will receive this year’s championship banner.  Click for coverage of our visits to Boyne City on Jan. 13, Traverse City West on Jan. 20, Charlotte on Jan. 28 and Petoskey on Feb. 1.

The Battle of the Fans is sponsored in part by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.           

PHOTOS: (Top) Frankenmuth students fill their section of bleachers for Friday's Battle of the Fans visit. (Middle) Students decked out for "Costume Night" cheer on the Eagles to a win over Millington. (Photos by Chip DeGrace.)

Scholars and Athletes 2013: Class B

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 7, 2013

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected eight student-athletes from Class B member schools to receive scholarships through its Scholar-Athlete Award program.

Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 24th year of sponsoring the award, will give a $1,000 college scholarship to 32 individuals who represent their member school 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 which can come from any classification. 

Each scholarship recipient will be honored during a halftime ceremony at the Class C Boys Basketball Final game March 23 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to other finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.

The Class B Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are:  Ashley M. Carney, Jackson Northwest; Amanda Ciancio, Comstock Park; Mary Emington, Cadillac; Nicole L. Green, Portland; Alec Robert Fisher, Battle Creek Harper Creek; Patrick Gifford, Haslett; Scott Parkinson, Grayling; and Keeton Thayer Ross, Grosse Ile.

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

Ashley M. Carney, Jackson Northwest.   Will finish high school career earning four letters each in golf, volleyball and tennis.  Helped golf team to four MHSAA Finals, and medaled at her conference meet as a senior.  All-area, all-conference and a team captain in golf and volleyball.  Was team most valuable in volleyball last fall.  Academic all-state in all three sports.  Helped coordinate a basketball shooting fundraiser for American Cancer Society; and volunteered with Habitat For Humanity, the Jackson Interfaith Shelter and the Salvation Army.  Also active in National Honor Society, student government and as an elementary school tutor.  Plans to attend Siena Heights University and study sports management.

Essay Quote:  “I have experienced many life lessons through sports that will carry me farther in life than any win or loss.  The qualities and character that spectators, opponents and coaches remember me by are everlasting.  We may not all be ‘winners’ reflected by the final score, but we can all be ‘winners’ measured by our attitude, respect for opponents, and respect for the game.”  

Amanda Ciancio, Comstock Park.  A standout in cross country, serving as team captain and earning all-conference and team most valuable as a junior and senior.  Also lettered in basketball and softball, winning all-district in the latter sport.  Participated in student leadership activities and served as class president each year of high school.  Involved all four years as a camp counselor; a youth basketball volunteer game official, coach and scorekeeper; and as a volunteer for various elementary school activities.  Member of National Honor Society, attendant at church nursery and helped plan school dances.  College plans includes studies in math and accounting.

Essay Quote:  “Players and coaches can both teach and preach sportsmanship, but before every game or competition, it is up to the athlete to determine whether they will participate for the glory or for the experience.”

Mary Emington, Cadillac.  Participated in basketball and softball, earning all-area and all-conference in both sports.  Honored twice in each activity with local scholar-athlete award.  Captained softball squad the past two seasons, and was team most valuable as a sophomore.  Led hoop squad in assists as a sophomore and junior.  Served on class and student council; was president of class council as a sophomore and treasurer as a senior.  Involved with Art activities, and took part in annual “Be The Change Team” at school, which inspires positive action and connection with others.  Four-year member of church youth group.  Will attend Calvin College and major in architecture or communications.

Essay Quote:  “During physical exertion, blood and emotions run rapidly. Only through the very delicate balance of love for the game and sportsmanship do the matches continue.” 

Nicole L. Green, Portland.  Will win her fourth letter in soccer this spring to go with three letters in basketball and two in volleyball.  A team captain in all three sports, including three years in soccer.   Team most valuable in soccer and volleyball, and earned first team all-conference and academic all-state honors in both sports.  Academic all-conference in all three activities.  Helped organize fundraisers in all three sports for American Cancer Society.  Selected school Citizen of the Year by Daughters of the American Revolution.  Participant in Academic Letters, Captain’s Club and National Honor Society.  Volunteer for local youth basketball and volleyball programs.  College plans include studies in Zoology.

Essay Quote:  “Sportsmanship is important because student-athletes serve as influential role models for younger students.  As such, we must model respectful interaction, hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude.  Aspiring athletes need to see the positive impact these behaviors will have on the personal and team success.”

Alec Robert Fisher, Battle Creek Harper Creek.  Record-setting scorer for soccer and football teams.  Own school records for goal in soccer, as well as field goals and extra points on the gridiron.  Four-year letterwinner in soccer, where he was a team captain, all-state and academic all-state performer.  Also lettered in basketball and track, serving as team captain on the hoop squad.  Served on Student Senate as treasurer for four years.  Member of National Honor Society.  Helps with youth sports activities with school soccer and basketball camps, Special Olympics, and with the First Tee of Battle Creek.  Will study business or law at the University of Buffalo.

Essay Quote:  “We have been told the same thing since we were young kids playing in recreation leagues or with our friends, to now in competitive sports as highschoolers; always have sportsmanship.  It is one thing, win or lose, that can separate the young gentlemen and the jerks that care about nothing but winning.”

Patrick Gifford, Haslett.  Captained basketball and tennis teams, and has won academic all-conference honors in both sports.  Part of league and regional doubles winning tandem.  Class representative to Student Council all four years, and has participated in Key Club and National Honor Society.  Sports editor of school newspaper and announcer for its television station.  Honored by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association and Michigan Association of Broadcasters for television sports play-by-play.  Serves as an in-class aide for autistic students in Peer–to-Peer program.  Involved in youth sports as a basketball coach and soccer official.  Received 69th District Citizenship Award.   Broadcast journalism studies await at either Ohio University, Syracuse University or the University of Missouri.

Essay Quote:  “As I prepare to graduate from high school and see my athletic career come to a close, I know I will take much more than the tennis and basketball skills I learned in high school with me.  The sportsmanship I have been coached to develop will help me move to this next state of my life and approach it with integrity, hard work, and leadership.”

Scott Parkinson, Grayling.  Will earn 10 varsity letters in athletic career in three sports – basketball, football and track – and serving as team captain in each activity.  Earned all-conference honors in football and track; won most improved award in basketball and track.  Conference champion in 110-meter hurdles in track.  Selected to an officer’s position on Student Senate all four years.  Seven-time winner of Mr. Spirit award as selected by teachers and chosen Most Athletic and Most Spirited by members of graduating class.  Four-year participant in Relay For Life and Youth Booster Club, and active with church youth group and local youth sports programs.  Will attend Michigan State University and study actuarial sciences.

Essay Quote:  “Having sportsmanship in educational athletics can teach life lessons and can also develop a person into a better and more-rounded athlete.  In turn, these lessons can be applied to future events in life.”

Keeton Thayer Ross, Grosse Ile.   Played baseball, basketball and football, and received all-conference honors on the diamond and the gridiron.  Also captained baseball and football teams.  Also academic all-state in baseball.  Earned the rank of Eagle Scout, served as vice president and president of school’s National Honor Society chapter, and as president of German Club.  Involved as student leader in school anti-bullying campaign and to help orient freshman class members.  Presented National Physical Education Award as a sophomore and has received an Ad Altari Dei Religious Medal.  Has served as a summer youth basketball camp counselor.  Planning on majoring in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at either Georgia Tech or the University of California-Berkeley.

Essay Quote:  “My personal saying before each game is ‘It’s just a game.  Win or lose, life goes on.’ I believe that this saying has helped me to have great sportsmanship throughout my high school career by remembering the big picture behind the games.  Every team works their butts off to try and win games, and because of this, every team deserves respect from the opponent as well as its own team.”

Other Class B girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Brittany Beeler, Spring Lake; Kelsi Caywood, Sturgis; Morgan Kathleen Cinader, Goodrich; Hannah C. Engle, Adrian; Haley June Obetts, Wayland Union; Molly Oren, Hamilton; Catherine Polgar, Grosse Ile; Emily Quinn, Portland; Florence Ann Sobell, Croswell-Lexington; Anjali Sood, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard; Megan Taylor, Houghton Lake;  and Shelby Walsh, Livonia Ladywood;

Other Class B boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were:  Michael Azzopardi, Detroit Country Day; Michael Broderick, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Brice Brown, Ionia; Michael Chickeral, Flat Rock; Thomas D. Finch, Otsego; Mark Gibson, Freeland; Andrew Hammond, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern; Michael Heinrich, Ludington; Luke James Hurst, Ovid-Elsie; Matthew Liu, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood; Adam Olszewski, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard; and Ryan Schall, Comstock Park.

Previously announced were the Class C and D scholarship award recipients.  The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Kylei Ratkowski, Bronson; Grace Smith, Kalamazoo Hackett; Nicole Winter, Watervliet; Jesse Anderson, Union City; Ashwin Fujii, Ann Arbor Greenhills; and Connor Lockman, Royal Oak Shrine.  The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award scholarship recipients are:  Elyse Kathleen Lisznyai, Hillsdale Academy; Elena Victoria Luce, Mason County Eastern; Charles Barchett, Watervliet Grace Christian; Chip A. Blood, Hillsdale Academy; and Francisco Jay Noyola, Lansing Christian

The Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 19.

Farm Bureau Insurance, one of Michigan's major insurers, has a statewide force of more than 400 agents serving more than 380,000 Michigan policyholders. Besides providing life, home, auto, farm, business and retirement insurance, the company also sponsors life-saving, real-time Doppler weather tracking systems in several Michigan communities.