And the 2016 BOTF Winner is ...
February 18, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Cooper Kirby has a lot of people he’ll be thanking today.
First, he’ll celebrate with his classmates, numbering more than 1,600 strong. Then he’ll text Traverse City West’s 2007-08 student senate governor, Chase O’Black, who started the “Bleacher Creatures” cheering section nearly a decade ago.
Then Kirby will call the governors from his first three years at West and thank them for inspiring the current Creatures to carry on the legacy he and the rest of the senior class will soon leave for those who will next take their turns running the show.
And he can’t think of a better way to go out than as part of a Battle of the Fans champion.
“Our school, the students who go to these games, are just so passionate. We invest so much time because we love it,” said Kirby, this school year’s senate governor and a leader of the Creatures.
“It’s just a long history of people who just like me loved our school. People who were so invested in the Bleacher Creatures. It’s says so much this year about what set us apart, but also about years past and every student who’s ever gone to one of our games and been passionate about what we do.”
The Bleacher Creatures will accept its MHSAA championship banner during the 6 p.m. Class B Boys Basketball Semifinal on March 25 at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. The other four finalists also will be invited to Breslin to receive rewards for this season’s achievement.
Traverse City West was chosen based on a vote by the MHSAA’s 16-member Student Advisory Council influenced by public vote on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites. A total of 18,424 social media votes were received, with those results then equated against a school’s enrollment.
The Council based its vote on the following criteria: positive sportsmanship, student body participation, school spirit, originality of cheers, organization of the group, section leadership and overall fun.
Munising received the majority of public social media support, finishing among the top three in three of four ways votes were accepted (Facebook likes and shares, Twitter re-tweets and Instagram likes) – despite being the smallest school among our finalists. Votes were then scaled to take into account a school’s size – although Traverse City West received the most social media votes total, Munising’s when compared to its student enrollment pushed the Mustangs to the top of the list.
Other numbers to consider from this season's contest: The application videos have been watched nearly 23,000 times, and the MHSAA-produced videos from our tour stops have more than 5,500 views. The stories on the five finalists plus Tuesday’s explanation of how to vote had been viewed 9,353 times as of 8:30 this morning. The five Snapchat stories covering our visits were viewed nearly 10,000 times combined.
It’s a little tough to believe the Battle of the Fans contest is finishing its fifth year, but our second-most applications shows it’s as popular as ever – and we thank all of our student sections for their work. We continue to learn from each other, and here’s what we’ll remember most about each of our finalists:
Dazzling Debut Award: Charlotte
What we saw: The Orioles already play in one of the neatest gyms around – one of few domes we know of in the entire state. Now they’ve got a passionate student section backing them up. Surveying school-wide for the name “Flight Club” was a great start, and the section has only continued to rise. In addition to plenty of creative material – including a jack-in-the-box featuring the Orioles’ mascot – the halftime drum line performance was one of the highlights of this year’s BOTF. The Flight Club also provided the best national anthem of the tour, with the student section carrying the song A cappella to lead the rest of the crowd both poignant and impressive. That this school’s support went from a group of maybe 20 students at games only a year ago to a few hundred regulars now is a testament that it can be done quickly even at a medium-sized school with more classmates to rally.
Why we’re fans: Did we mention the drum line? And the anthem? But really, what made Charlotte a contender had as much to do with leg work as it did with the finished product on display during games. Reminiscent of 2015 champion Dowagiac, the Flight Club idea was planted by a passionate teacher who in this case also was an alum. But it didn’t take long for spirit to grow throughout the student body – and the community as a whole. We believe the Flight Club is here to stay, and we’re glad for it.
Be the Example Award: Munising
What we saw: With only 200 students in the high school, it was surprising to see a full set of student stands filled, plus a pep band, plus a Homecoming court and cheerleaders making up an entire corner of a gym otherwise packed. It wasn’t a surprise to those who live in a town small in number but huge in support of its school and athletes. “Stang Nation” started bringing the noise during the junior varsity boys game and rarely let up over the next three hours – proving size of the school matters much less when creating atmosphere than the ability to get the energy up and keep it high. Stang Nation didn’t have much pre-planned material – 100+ students just cheered non-stop and supported their team from start to finish. And it was arguably the best decorated gym we’ve seen during five Battle of the Fans finalists tours, with awesome Homecoming-inspired banners backing up both baselines to go with the usual regalia covering the walls.
Why we’re fans: We left Munising with a lasting feeling that if every school had a student section like Stang Nation, we couldn’t be happier. Mixing in the band, cheerleaders, Superior Central’s student fans for a “U.P. Power chant” … all of it made it clear why home games are the place to be on winter nights. And we could only imagine how fun it must be for athletes to return to town for parades thrown now any time a team wins at least a District title – and how much fun it must be to be part of welcoming the latest champion home.
Pound-for-Pound Award: Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
What we saw: It’s more what we heard. "Pound" describes the powerful sound the section made; pound-for-pound also describes how the “Green Machine” brought it at a level comparable to much bigger schools. From the boys basketball team’s entrance to the gym through a faux ice brick wall, through a cheer where everyone pounded the floor in unison with a series of standing arm-in-arm jumps (watch the video below to see what we mean), the Machine pumped the volume. From start to finish, Warriors fans provided plenty of support for the team on the floor with cheers, signs, a band, a tunnel including the entire student body, and much more.
Why we’re fans: The Green Machine is a new section too, debuting just this fall, but followed a process we’ll promote for years to come. “Mechanics” got their start at an MHSAA Sportsmanship Summit, set attainable goals like making Friday night games all-school parties, got the entire student body involved starting with a vote to name the section, and then watched their work pull an already tight-knit student body even closer. Leaders drawn from every class means this is only just the start.
Fill the Stands Award: Yale
What we saw: Yale’s student section, this year named Kohler’s Kids (the latest rendition in honor of the boys basketball coach), has become a power in this contest. Just like our first visit to the school in 2015, Yale loaded a full quarter of its gym with students, and the sound once again was palpable. Yale feels like it has a Class B title contender in its boys basketball team, and the “Kids” feel like a catalyst to that success and do their part by showing up to support en masse. Yale also strikes the right balance of being immersed in the game, with brief side shows only to fill in breaks in play.
Why we’re fans: The point of Battle of the Fans is to show student sections they can have a blast while cheering in a fun, positive way. That’s Yale. Kohler’s Kids don’t just pretend to care about sportsmanship, they live it – and with the attitude that going negative and engaging in verbal melees with opposing sections just isn’t necessary, much less fun. They just don’t care to be like that – the Kids realize there’s a better way. It’s an attitude we admire, and a message that continues to make Yale a great ambassador for student sections statewide.
Battle of the Fans champion: Traverse City West
What we saw: Total involvement from opening tip to final buzzer. From the “Creatures of the Week” on couches in the front row to those holding down the back of the section 20 rows up, everyone was moving and yelling and happy to be there. A band of leaders, the “Bucket Brigade,” kept the group together – something incredibly difficult at a school any size, much less one with a section of 400 students representing all four grades, different social groups, etc. But this is a way of life at Traverse City West, and it’s easy to see why. It’s been hard to not spontaneously throw out an “O-E-O-E-O, TC West” every once in a while. And the whole “We are the Creatures” chant with the drum line is pure pandemonium – in a good way.
Why we’re fans: We learned about the Creatures during our first BOTF trip to the school in 2014 and admired then a leadership structure that makes student spirit part of school government. West’s student senate runs the show, and this year’s leaders are as passionate about their school as any we’ve come across in five years of visits. But something like what we saw from the Creatures doesn’t happen unless there’s buy-in from all over the student body, and that’s what a student section is all about. And we can’t say enough about how West cheers for its teams – during game play, the focus is entirely on the game; during halftime, we were treated to a surprise dance line/Harlem Shake by the older guys manning the front row, who had been coached by another senate member. The crowd went wild.
“This culture isn’t just student sections. It just makes classrooms better, makes friendships stronger, makes groups that aren’t initially related identify with just one identity, which is awesome to see,” Kirby said. “Kids are coming together to scream our heads off – but it’s enabled us to do so much with our community as well. It’s amazing what people can do when they come together and be passionate about something bigger than themselves.”
It’s fair to say we’ve never encountered leaders so in love with their school and enthusiastic about student life. At its most fundamental, that’s what student cheering sections are supposed to be about. We’re glad to celebrate Traverse City West showing the state how enthusiasm plays out with fun every time the Creatures get together – and in this case, paid off with a Battle of the Fans championship.
Battle of the Fans IV is sponsored in part by Milk Means More.
Check out below our stories and videos behind the finalists. Also, click to see student-produced videos from all sections that entered the contest. (Photos courtesy of Rick Sack.)
Charlotte
Read all about it: Charlotte 'Flight Club' Shows It Can Soar
Munising
Read all about it: 'Stang Nation' Continues Tradition Of Support
Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
Read all about it: 'Green Machine' Gears Up For BOTF V
Traverse City West
Read all about it: 'Creatures' Remain Way Of Life At TC West
Yale
Read all about it: 'Reloaded' Yale Section Brings Noise Again
Scholars and Athletes 2015: Class C, D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 2, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through its Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 26th year of sponsoring the award, will give $1,000 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 which can come from any classification.
Each of the scholarship recipients will be honored at halftime ceremonies of the Class C Boys Basketball Final game March 28 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing. Commemorative medallions will be given to the finalists in recognition of their accomplishments.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are: Maggie Belcher, Springport; Ryan Karapas, Clinton; Mallory Munderloh, St Louis; Emily Elizabeth Steffke, Beal City; Connor Thomas, Marlette; and Pierce Vreeland, Gobles.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are: Margo Brown, St. Ignace; Kevin Greenman, Battle Creek St. Philip; Travis McCormick, Mason County Eastern; and Rachelle Trafford, Lansing Christian.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Maggie Belcher, Springport
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will play her fourth of soccer and run her fourth of track and field this spring; played first season of varsity basketball this winter. Named captain of soccer team as a sophomore and earned all-league academic honors in cross country and track and field. Served on school’s student council for three years including as executive president this year, executive vice president as a junior and class treasurer as a sophomore. Also served as a delegate and then regional and state co-host for Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies. Named marching band’s drum major from 2012-14 and founded the school’s debate team in 2013. Competed in Destination Imagination regional and state competitions and in multiple Future Farmers of America state competitions. Attended Mercy College Business Leadership Academy in New York. Remains undecided on where she will attend college, but will study cultural anthropology.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is knowing there’s a larger picture, that there is a reward more valuable than the greedy pursuit of trophies/titles. Sportsmanship is a code that distinguishes the good players from the excelled athlete.”
Mallory Munderloh, St. Louis
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will run her fourth of track and field this spring. Qualified for the MHSAA Cross Country Finals as a freshman and senior and also served as team captain this fall; earned all-league honors all four years and academic all-state in her final season. Qualified for MHSAA Track and Field Finals two seasons in distance events and the last three as part of her school’s 3,200 relay. Earned all-state recognition when her relay finished fifth at the 2013 Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals. Participating in National Honor Society for second year. Participated in Business Professionals of America three years and qualified for state competitions in 2012 and 2013. Served on school’s Youth Advisory Council the last two years. Will attend Alma College and study pre-medicine.
Essay Quote: “In his determination, the sportsman is quiet. He doesn’t put down his opponents when he wins. The sportsman respects the work and toil of his competitors and considers it an honor to compete with them. In the same way, he doesn’t ridicule his opponents when he is beaten. The sportsman accepts his defeat and remembers it when he is training.”
Emily Elizabeth Steffke, Beal City
Ran four seasons of varsity cross country and will run her fourth of track and field this spring. Earned all-state honors in cross country all four seasons and academic all-state honors her last three while leading the team to MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 championships in 2013 and 2014. Earned athletic and academic all-state honors for track and field the last two seasons; her 3,200 relay won at last spring’s LP Division 4 Final. Named a semifinalist for National Merit and Coca-Cola Foundation scholarships. Participating in her marching, concert and jazz bands for the fourth year and earned multiple state competition awards for piano and flute performance. Participating in National Honor Society for second year and served on student council four years. Participated in Youth in Government three years and MyLead Michigan Youth Leadership in 2013. Will attend either Yale University or Michigan State University and is considering studying pre-medicine.
Essay Quote: “After finishing a race, I turn to the runners around me. … The fellowship I feel with these girls is born of conquering a race’s and each other’s demands better together, and it can spark lasting friendships.”
Ryan Karapas, Clinton
Played two seasons of varsity football, three of varsity basketball and expects to play his fourth of varsity golf this spring. Served as captain of all three teams, earning all-conference honors in football and basketball and tying for league scoring lead in golf. Helped football team to 2013 MHSAA Division 6 Final, the basketball team to multiple District titles and the golf team to a league championship. Participated in National Honor Society the last three years, including as president this school year, and is on pace to finish as his class’ valedictorian. Also participated in local “Relay for Life” for three years and as a peer tutor as a junior, and was selected for a Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Remains undecided on where he will attend college, but will study business.
Essay Quote: “Whether it’s on the court, in the classroom, or somewhere where no one is looking, we will all run into situations where we are faced with doing the right thing or something that we know is less. Learning and demonstrating sportsmanship here and now is a great stage for the challenges and opportunities
Connor Thomas, Marlette
Played three seasons of varsity football, two of varsity basketball and will run his fourth of track and field this spring. Earned all-state honorable mention and all-conference honors in football this fall, all-conference honorable mention in basketball and all-conference honors as a sprinter and middle distance runner in track and field – while also earning all-league scholar-athlete recognition in all three sports. Served as captain of both the football and basketball teams; helped the basketball team to a District championship and the track and field team to a Regional title. Served on his school’s student council all four years and as his class’ president the first three; he’s serving as his National Honor Society chapter’s president this school year. Also is serving his second year as a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Will attend Oakland University and study business.
Essay Quote: “Many people think it’s strange that I can uphold a friendship with multiple rival athletes and still maintain my competitive edge in the best interest of my team. … Their perception of me as a fair opponent is what encourages them to pursue a friendship with me.”
Pierce Vreeland, Gobles
Expects to finish with nine varsity letters – three each in football, basketball and track and field – and he also played junior varsity baseball as a freshman. Served as captain of football team the last two seasons and was named all-conference after both, and also second-team all-conference in basketball as a junior. Placed sixth in long jump and seventh in high jump at last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 4 Track and Field Finals and was named academic all-state in that sport. Participating in National Honor Society for third year and is his chapter’s vice president. Volunteers as youth basketball official and coach and as a mentor as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Will attend the University of Michigan and study nuclear engineering.
Essay Quote: “In January, I was given the opportunity to co-coach a fourth grade basketball team with my father. Along with the opportunity came an enormous responsibility of teaching and mentoring 14 energetic 9 and 10-year-olds. Working with the players on a regular basis, I saw first-hand how teaching fair play is just as important as showing them how to execute a lay-up correctly.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Nicole Gross, Beal City; Skyler Sobeski, Bronson; Marti Ann Pirkola, Iron Mountain; Mary Grace Fries, Jackson Lumen Christi; Lauren M. Skidmore, Oscoda; Jami Hubbard, Reading; Katie Burmester, Roscommon; Erica Treiber, Unionville-Sebewaing; and Bridget Dewan, Wixom St Catherine.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Deontay Walker, Bath; Nicholas Pung, Beal City; Blaine Michael Stowe, East Jackson; Cole Rossato, Iron Mountain; Mark Holmgren, Ishpeming; Jason Bell, Negaunee; Jacob Dibbet, Roscommon; Daniel Brown, Springport; and Aaron J. Watson, Union City.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Margo Brown, St. Ignace
Intends to compete in fourth varsity seasons this spring of golf and track and field. Also has played four seasons of varsity basketball, joining that team during the postseason as a freshman, and three of volleyball after joining that varsity during her sophomore season. Served as captain of volleyball and basketball teams; contributed to basketball teams that won the MHSAA Class D title in 2013 and finished runner-up in Class C in 2014, volleyball teams that won two District titles and track and field teams that won three MHSAA Finals championships. Won MHSAA Finals individual golf titles the last two years and earned all-state track honors. Serving as class president for fourth year and carries a 4.0 grade-point average. Participated in marching, concert and jazz band and on the robotics team. Will attend Ferris State University to study accounting and has signed a letter of intent to play basketball.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is all about enjoying participating in the sport(s) you are in. When an athlete displays they are having fun playing the game, it shows their heart and love of the game.”
Rachelle Trafford, Lansing Christian
Playing fourth varsity season of basketball and will play second full varsity season of soccer this spring after joining that top team during her freshman and sophomore seasons; also played two full seasons of varsity volleyball after joining that varsity as a sophomore, and ran varsity cross country as a junior. Helped the soccer team to MHSAA Semifinals in 2013 and 2014, the basketball team to two Regional titles and the volleyball team to two District titles. Earned all-area soccer honors in the spring. Participating in National Honor Society for the third year. Volunteered and served as teen leader in a variety of Stepping Stone Foundation projects. Also served as teen leader during outdoor adventure trips to Tennessee and West Virginia and a mission trip to Mississippi. Will attend Michigan State University or Grand Valley State University and study pre-veterinary medicine.
Essay Quote: “When we make situations in life about ourselves and our achievements, the result can be devastating for everyone involved. … I work hard to be the best I can be, to play with the best, against the best, and walk away knowing I treated my teammates, coaches, officials and opponents with the utmost respect.”
Kevin Greenman, Battle Creek St. Philip
Played four years of varsity football, three of varsity basketball and will run his fourth of track and field this spring. Captained all three teams including the football and track and field teams both for the three seasons. Earned all-conference honors in both of those sports; helped the football team to Regional Finals three seasons, the basketball team to league and Regional titles and the track and field team to a league title while qualifying for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals in two events. Participating for second year as part of the Battle Creek Community Foundation’s Youth Alliance Committee and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society. Volunteered at his school’s football and basketball camps and for the Special Olympics. Participated in the international Conrad Foundation Spirit of Innovation Challenge and with his partner was selected as a semifinalist. Will study materials science and engineering at the University of Michigan.
Essay Quote: “I discovered personal meaning behind the old adage, “Winning isn’t everything.” … In all that I do, I must respect what I am doing, respect everyone around me and remember that success is not all about winning.”
Travis McCormick, Mason County Eastern
Expects to graduate with 11 varsity letters earned over four sports: four for baseball, one for basketball, three for soccer and two for cross country. Earned all-conference recognition his first three seasons of baseball and in soccer as a junior; also earned second-team all-area honors in basketball last season. Served four years on his school’s student council including as secretary, three years on his school’s Youth Advisory Council including as treasurer and three years with his school’s chapter of National Honor Society including as vice president. Received a Good Citizen Award from the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Participated in church mission trips to Georgia and New York and volunteers at his vacation Bible school. Remains undecided on where he will attend college, but intends to study business.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is treating the players, coaches, refs and fans around you with respect. Being gracious when you win or lose. The game isn’t about going there to physically and mentally destroy a player; it’s to have fun and enjoy the moment. You want to be that person or that team that people remember as good sportsmen.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Danielle Piggott, Fowler; Taylor Richards, Fruitport Calvary Christian; Anissa Keeler, Marion; Kelsey Rambo, Pickford; Hunter Branstrom, Rock Mid Peninsula; and Jane Hursey, Suttons Bay. Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were: Thomas Gallagher, Peck; Chantz Owens, Burr Oak; James Thibodeau, Clarkston Everest Collegiate; Gideon Rea Mulka, Hillman; Aaron Van Horn, Kingston; Connor Patrick Cappaert, Stephenson. 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 Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced on Feb. 10, and the Class A honorees will be announced on Feb. 17. Farm Bureau Insurance, one of Michigan's major insurers, has a statewide force of 450 agents serving nearly 500,000 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. The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,400 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.