Rockford, P-CCS Student Broadcasters Honored Among 'Stations of the Year'

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

April 15, 2024

Rockford High School’s “Beyond The Rock” and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools’ “88.1 The Park” were among those named the 2024 Student Stations of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).

Johnny Kane (Bally Spots Detroit), Mark Champion (Pistons Radio), Greg Kelser (Bally Sports Detroit), and Sam Klemet (MAB) participate in the panel discussion.Students from those schools and collegiate winners Hillsdale College (“Radio Free Hillsdale”) and Michigan State University (“School of Journalism”) were rewarded with a trip to a Detroit Pistons game Thursday, and participated in a panel discussion with Pistons’ broadcasters Mark Champion, Greg Kelser, and Johnny Kane. The event was moderated by the President/CEO of the MAB, Sam Klemet.

Student journalists from Davison, Cedar Springs, Troy Athens, Montrose, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, East Kentwood, Bloomfield Hills, Warren Cousino and Dearborn Heights Star International also received awards in high school visual and audio categories.

For a complete list of Michigan Student Broadcast Awards, click here.

PHOTOS (Top) Rockford students enjoy the Pistons game at Little Caesars Arena. (Middle) Johnny Kane (Bally Spots Detroit), Mark Champion (Pistons Radio), Greg Kelser (Bally Sports Detroit), and Sam Klemet (MAB) participate in the panel discussion.

Performance of the Week: Essexville Garber's Ella Kokaly

November 22, 2024

Ella Kokaly headshotElla Kokaly ♦ Essexville Garber
Junior ♦ Volleyball

Garber is enjoying its best season, and Kokaly directs a powerful attack that has the Dukes playing in a Division 2 Semifinal this weekend. Garber won its first Regional title in four sets over Kingsley (25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 29-27) and Kokaly set an MHSAA single-match record with 75 assists, bringing her season total to 1,233 heading into this week.

Kokaly also had 91 aces and 326 digs this season after the Regional, and added another 36 assists and 16 digs in Garber’s Tuesday Quarterfinal sweep of Fruitport. Garber is 43-12-2 and will play Tecumseh in a Division 2 Semifinal on Friday at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena. Also a softball standout, Kokaly also hit .421 with 50 runs scored and 44 stolen bases this spring.

@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Ella Kokaly #volleyball #essexville #garber #Regional #champion #record #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Ella Kokaly #tiktalk #questiontime #tacobell #night #emoji #prettylittleliars #TikTok #part2 #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

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Previous 2024-25 honorees

Nov. 15: Caroline Bryan, Grosse Pointe South swimming - Report
Nov. 8:
Kaylie Livingston, Whitmore Lake cross country - Report
Oct. 25:
Oliver Caldwell, Grand Rapids West Catholic tennis - Report
Oct. 18:
Alex Graham, Detroit Cass Tech football - Report
Oct. 11:
Victoria Garces, Midland Dow cross country - Report
Oct. 4:
Asher Clark, Bay City John Glenn soccer - Report
Sept. 26:
Campbell Flynn, Farmington Hills Mercy volleyball - Report
Sept. 19:
TJ Hansen, Freeland cross country - Report
Sept. 12:
Jordan Peters, Grayling soccer - Report
Sept. 6:
Gabe Litzner, Sault Ste. Marie cross country - Report
Aug. 30:
Grace Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis golf - Report

(Photos courtesy of the Essexville Garber volleyball program.)