In Memoriam: Ryan Fischer (1996-2014)
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 7, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Grandville senior Ryan Fischer, a three-sport athlete, straight-A student and member of the MHSAA’s Student Advisory Council, died in his sleep overnight Thursday.
Fisher was co-captain of Grandville’s ice hockey team and set to join his teammates at Compuware Arena for tonight’s Division 1 Semifinal against Detroit Catholic Central. Fischer also was to receive an MHSAA Class A Scholar-Athlete Award later this month and recently had gained acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he planned to study aerospace engineering.
“Our staff enjoyed knowing Ryan as an engaging member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council for two years, and we grieve his loss with the entire Grandville community,” MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts said.
Fischer was to turn 18 on April 10.
He also served as captain of his football team this fall and had lettered in baseball. A three-year member of the hockey team, he was named to its leadership council and earned all-league honors as a junior.
Fisher held roles in a number of additional leadership initiatives. He served four years on Grandville's student government executive board and also on the school's Leadership Team and his church’s youth leadership council. Fischer was selected to attend both the U.S. Military Academy Summer Leadership Experience and the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar after his junior year.
A decision to play tonight’s hockey game as scheduled was made after conversations between Fischer’s family and Grandville’s administration.
Advisory Council Seeking Juniors-to-be
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 12, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA is seeking student-athletes to become members of its Student Advisory Council beginning with the 2016-17 school year.
Four boys and four girls from the Class of 2018 will be selected to two-year terms, and will meet on matters related to maintaining and promoting a proper perspective and sensible scope for high school sports in Michigan. Eight members from the Class of 2017 already are serving on the Council, while eight members of the Class of 2016 are leaving the Council this spring.
To be eligible for the committee, candidates must be a member of the Class of 2018, complete the official application including answering the three short-answer questions, submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and be available for all scheduled meetings.
In addition, candidates should show a history of leadership on athletic teams as well as with other extracurricular activities, community service projects, or in the workplace; and show an understanding of the role of school sports and have ideas for promoting a proper perspective for educational athletics.
Applications are due in the MHSAA office by 4:30 p.m. on April 20. Applications can be downloaded from the Student Advisory Council page of the MHSAA Website, filled out on the computer or handwritten, and returned to the MHSAA office by e-mail, fax or any mail delivery service.
The Student Advisory Council meets seven times each school year, and once more for a 24-hour leadership camp. In addition to assisting in the promotion of the educational value of interscholastic athletics, the Council discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics: scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. Members contribute in planning Sportsmanship Summits, Captains Clinics and other student leadership events, and assist with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events. The Council also judges the “Battle of the Fans,” which it created during the 2011-12 school year as a way to promote positive sportsmanship.
Newly-chosen members will join the following from the Class of 2017: Alex Janosi, Dexter; Lindsay Duca, East Grand Rapids; Meghan Boyd, Kent City; Marrissa Immel, Munising; Jordan Walker, Muskegon Mona Shores; Jack Donnelly, Ottawa Lake Whiteford; Van Nguyen, Plymouth; and Cade Smeznik, Yale.
The eight new members of the Student Advisory Council will be notified by April 29. The 2016-17 meetings are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 28, Oct. 9, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, April 23 and May 21. Meetings will take place at the MHSAA Office in East Lansing
For more information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA – 517-332-5046 or [email protected].
PHOTO: From left, Belding's Greta Wilker, Bridgman's Katie Hartzler, Muskegon Mona Shores' Jordan Walker and East Grand Rapids' Lindsay Duca take a moment during a Sportsmanship Summit this fall.