And the 2019 BOTF Winner Is ...
February 22, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
North Muskegon senior Kendal Hoppa grew up watching the older kids in her town cheering on their friends at high school games, a sports-based extension of the close-knit community.
And what she’s known about Norse Nation for years, the rest of Michigan now knows as well.
The Nation already was a force when it came to student support. But she and her classmates showed this winter what a dedicated section can become with organization and a bit more intention – and they can celebrate what they’ve built with the Battle of the Fans VIII championship.
“The biggest thing is our sense of school pride,” Hoppa said. “We are there supporting the basketball team, we are supporting our family, and I think that really rubbed off on the schools we’ve competed against and any other community members who came to watch us.
"I’ve noticed an immense growth in schools in our conference and schools that we’ve played against having student sections of their own now – ‘We want to be like North Muskegon. Let’s organize this student section.’ It’s been awesome for our community and also communities around us as well.”
North Muskegon will accept its Battle of the Fans VIII championship banner during halftime of the first Division 2 Boys Basketball Semifinal on March 15 at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. Buchanan and Saginaw Heritage also have been invited to Breslin to be honored for this season’s achievement.
North Muskegon 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 9,875 social media votes were received – and increase of more than 6 percent over last year’s contest – with those results then equated against a school’s enrollment. This year’s results came out to 4.3 votes cast for every student attending one of our finalist schools.
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. Nine semifinalists were selected from the original application group before Buchanan, North Muskegon and Saginaw Heritage were chosen for MHSAA visits. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, Carson City-Crystal, Petersburg-Summerfield, Petoskey, Traverse City West and Wayland also were semifinalists.
North Muskegon totaled the most public social media support and finished first across four of five ways votes were accepted (Facebook likes and shares, Twitter re-tweets and likes and Instagram likes). Votes were scaled to take into account a school’s size – a vote for Class B Buchanan was worth more than one for Class A Saginaw Heritage, for example – and North Muskegon’s voting totaled higher than that of the other two finalists combined.
Other numbers to consider from this season's contest: The application videos have been watched nearly 12,500 times, and the MHSAA-produced videos from our tour stops have nearly 1,900 views. The stories detailing the three tour stops plus Tuesday’s explanation of how to vote and the announcements of semifinalists and finalists had been viewed 6,500 times as of 8:30 this morning. The three Instagram stories covering our visits were viewed nearly 6,000 times combined.
Below are our final takeaways from each of those trips.
Perfect Perspective Award: Buchanan
What we saw: There’s a reason – or many – the MHSAA has visited Buchanan for Battle of the Fans more than any other school. Once again, we saw what has made The Herd the gold standard for student sections statewide. Interaction with the game from start to finish, even as victory slipped away. Participation by students who obviously are involved in this all year and know the chants, songs and dances that have been passed down over the years. Leaders taking charge up front, but fun flowing from the section all the way to the top bleachers. As we mentioned in our report Monday detailing last week’s visit, it was like a Herd “Greatest Hits” performance, and we’ve had a lot of great memories visiting Buchanan over the years. This reminded us of those good times.
Why we’re fans: After Friday’s game, senior leader Garret Lollar told us he and his classmates would be happy today win or lose. And there was no doubt he was being completely honest. Buchanan has been the BOTF champion twice, including last year – but students and their dedicated teacher leaders have figured out that the culture of family and fun that has become part of this school district from elementary through the high school is a guaranteed win every time The Herd comes together.
Reaching Potential Award: Saginaw Heritage
What we saw: The Hawk’s Nest was a first-time finalist, and this section has come a long way over the last few years thanks to a dedicated teacher and students who bought into an opportunity to become something big. Heritage has been riding the momentum from last season’s Class A girls basketball championship run, and for our visit filled the student section for one of the girls team’s biggest matchups of this winter, against rival Midland Dow. There was a pep band, multiple pompon teams and the biggest group of student supporters we saw despite the boys basketball and hockey teams playing on the road. Heritage has found something special, and we’ll no doubt be returning for a BOTF in the future.
Why we’re fans: Section strategy and ideas are hatched in the school’s “Leadership Development” class. With half the student body taking that or the leadership intro course at some point, there is substantial continuity to go with the necessary planning for corralling such a large group. The multi-media presence – regular videos document all of the cool things the section is doing and also are used to rev students up for more to come – was one of the strongest we’ve seen over the course of BOTF. We met with leaders from the senior, junior and sophomore classes, and this could be just the start for the Hawks – albeit, a championship-caliber one.
Battle of the Fans champion: North Muskegon
What we saw: An effort with the humblest of beginnings – two students on a cross country bus ride home bouncing ideas – turned into an awesome display of support that long has been a source of pride in the school and community. We’ve seen a lot of student sections over the years – and there have been times when we feel like we’ve been watching more of a performance than students cheering for their classmates at a game. But Norse Nation was locked into the game from start to finish, with game-appropriate cheers throughout, and most of all the fun was genuine. Some things didn’t work – a pillow fight during halftime never really came together – but it wasn’t a big deal. Everyone was having a good time, and when the game was back on, so was the Nation.
Why we’re fans: There’s so much here that can be used to teach others as they build a student section. Some are the products of being a small community – there definitely is a family feel because the high school has only a few hundred students and all grades are housed in the same building. But those hallway connections have resulted in a strong student-driven effort – almost like a student council for the cheering section – where all are welcome and all ideas are considered. And we’d be failing if we didn’t mention this section too relies on serious mentorship from a supportive principal, another must.
Norse Nation has taken pride in how it’s supported its teams for years – and Battle of the Fans provided a vehicle for the school to share what it does so well with the rest of Michigan. Norse Nation also should inspire student sections around the state to take another step – and enjoy how quickly they can reach that elite level of fun.
"Definitely get into it, be in the moment," Hoppa said. "Be a part of the student section. Be part of supporting your school.
"To be successful, you have to have the people who are going to organize it. You have to have the people who are willing to follow too. Lead by example. Be willing to do the crazy themes. Be willing to travel to the far games. Just really have fun. Seize every moment, because you're going to regret it if you don't."
The Battle of the Fans is sponsored in part by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
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 the North Muskegon yearbook staff.)
Buchanan
Read all about it: Have You Herd? Buchanan Parties On
North Muskegon
Read all about it: Norse Nation Roars North Muskegon Pride
Saginaw Heritage
Read all about it: Heritage's Hawks Nest Wants You 'Hype'
And the 2022 BOTF Winner is ...
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 17, 2022
Few have studied up for the MHSAA’s Battle of the Fans as much as Traverse City West senior Patrick Guiney did before the start of this year’s BOTF X competition.
He watched all of the finalists’ videos from the first nine years, and many of the semifinalists’ as well, diving in to uncover the best strategies to help he and his classmates deliver the Bleacher Creatures their second BOTF championship.
Of course, he watched all of Traverse City West’s past videos too, trying to see if those past sections had done something well that the current Creatures should incorporate this year, and to figure out where those past sections may have fallen short.
But watching all of those schools, his and others, also left a pretty significant impression about what BOTF, and more generally student sections, should be about.
“I think it’s really about bringing people together, leaving whatever is going on just letting go of it for a while and enjoying a big game with your friends,” Guiney said. “Maybe meeting some new people, and knowing that no matter what you’ll be welcomed with open arms. It’s just a really positive environment that I feel everybody should be part of because (student sections) are just so much fun.”
The Bleacher Creatures have had a ton of fun this school year. And they’ve earned statewide fame to add to their memories of the experience.
Traverse City West will accept its Battle of the Fans X championship banner during halftime of the first Division 2 Boys Basketball Semifinal on March 25 at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. Finalists Buchanan and Midland Dow also have been invited to Breslin to be honored 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, Instagram and TikTok sites. A total of 8,964 social media votes was received. The addition of TikTok this year added to the engagement substantially, as TikToks using the hashtag #MHSAABOTF2022 were viewed more than 700,000 times.
The Student Advisory 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. Nine semifinalists were selected from the original application group before Buchanan, Midland Dow and Traverse City West were chosen for MHSAA visits. Howell, Imlay City, North Muskegon, Petersburg Summerfield, Spring Lake and Yale also were semifinalists.
In addition to their other championship year, the Bleacher Creatures also were finalists in 2014 and 2017. Buchanan was a finalist for the seventh time this winter and has won championships in 2013, 2018 and 2020. Midland Dow entered the competition this year for the first time.
Below are our final takeaways from this year’s finalist visits:
Community Doesn’t Graduate: Buchanan
What we saw: At a game otherwise moderately attended by adults and opposing students, The Herd was out in force – as usual. After 10 years of Battle of the Fans, Buchanan students have reached a point in history where cheering on their teams and showing tons of spirit is all they’ve known – and especially as high school leaders have traveled to the middle and elementary schools every year to cultivate that culture. Herd leaders make games into gatherings, and this was just another during a year full of them as COVID-19 has eased. We watched this year’s Herd cheer the boys basketball team to a big win, but also sing and dance and just enjoy being back with each other in the stands, with plenty of representation from throughout the school as nearly half the student body showed.
Why we’re fans: A question we discuss after every BOTF visit is if we would’ve wanted to be part of the cheering section we just watched – and we’ve always left Buchanan with a resounding “Yes.” We’ve said this before, but every school would be served to replicate or at least borrow some of what Buchanan has created over the last decade. The relationships between high school leaders and the younger students who are following them, the ties between the athletes and their classmates cheering for them, and the connections between current Herd members and the people who came before them defines community.
Accept the Challenge Award: Midland Dow
What we saw: First-time BOTF applicant Dow will always have our respect for becoming the first to invite the MHSAA to an away game. The schedule caused them to bring us instead to Midland High, but the Chargers really impressed us with their organization, positivity and engagement throughout the game despite the rival Chemics’ win on the court. We dug the Doctors & Nurses theme and especially the fundraiser (again, at a road game) to buy snacks for local emergency room workers. Also notable – Dow has state-ranked girls basketball and hockey teams this winter, and the Chargers’ leadership includes members of both who put in additional time to make this section spark on top of commitments to those title-chasing sports teams.
Why we’re fans: The road game wasn’t the only challenge Dow accepted this school year. Of course, all of our finalists were left to restart their sections after COVID-19 spectator limits over the last 18 months, and Dow did so in a way others should copy – notably, stepping up their social media game and becoming a force not just at football and basketball but volleyball, soccer and hockey as well. Dow has had a section in years past but raised its game this fall and winter. We’re looking forward to seeing more – and next time at “Herb’s House” for a Dow home game.
Battle of the Fans champion: Traverse City West
What we saw: First off, possibly more fans than we’ve seen before, and stacked from the first row to the top of the high-rising bleachers. After past visits with the Bleacher Creatures, we were plenty familiar with the section’s organizational structure and leadership by its student senate, but we really admire how this year’s senators have embraced a fresh look to attract students from all grades and all activities to be part of the fun. Frankly, the Men’s Dance Team performance at halftime was pretty impressive – especially the aerials – and we can’t say enough about how much the drumline brings to the overall atmosphere of the game, especially working with the student section to rally the home team. Guiney regularly conducts interviews with fans in the stands and athletes from the various teams (and previously actors from the theater cast too) that are some parts serious but most parts silly, and getting all of those voices involved adds to the feeling of togetherness.
Why we’re fans: We’ve seen big crowds before. We’ve seen fans get crazy and sing and dance. We’ve seen fun halftime shows and entertaining quarter-break antics. All make student sections awesome.
But what really stuck out about this year’s Bleacher Creatures is the lengths they undertake to make a 1,600-student school feel much smaller. Leaders told us stories about how in past years, the school’s senate and by extension the Bleacher Creatures were thought to be just for the “cool kids” or certain social groups, and busting that reputation was a goal as the section reunited in the fall.
What they’ve achieved that way is a much more meaningful legacy that will be passed on by this year’s seniors, along with a revived championship student section.
Guiney and his classmates may be living it right now, but the significance isn't lost on them.
"I remember talking with some of my close friends who also (are involved) with the student section, during the early stages of this," he recalled. "(Saying) if we can win this and make our impact, that will last for a long time, and that will definitely fuel students of the future.
"I know that inspiring those kids and showing them how awesome a student section can be will definitely have a positive impact on the future of TC West and ensure that kids will be able to go to student sections with the same energy and have the same amount of fun. Because everybody deserves to have that experience."
The Battle of the Fans is sponsored in part by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
Check out below our stories and videos behind the finalists. (Photos by Alan Newton/Newton Photography; click for more from this BOTF visit.)
Buchanan
Read all about it: Buchanan's 'Herd' Begins New Era with Same Bucks Energy
Midland Dow
Read all about it: Dow Aims to Give Teams Advantage with Charger Spirit
Traverse City West
Read all about it: West's Creatures Filling Bleachers with Support for Titans Teams