Student Advisory Council Class Selected

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 1, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Eight student-athletes who will be juniors at their schools during the 2014-15 academic year have been selected to serve two-year terms on the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Student Advisory Council.

The Student Advisory Council is a 16-member group which provides feedback on issues impacting educational athletics from a student’s perspective, and also is involved in the operation of Association championship events and other programming. Members of the Student Advisory Council serve for two years, beginning as juniors. Eight new members are selected annually to serve on the SAC, with nominations made by MHSAA member schools. The incoming juniors will join the group of eight seniors-to-be appointed a year ago.

Selected to begin serving on the Student Advisory Council in 2014-15 are: Tucker Gross, Beal City; Katie Hartzler, Bridgman; Benjamin Kowalske, Livonia Stevenson; Jared Pittman, Muskegon; Bekah Myler, Gaylord St. Mary; Jordan Michalak, Birmingham Seaholm; Trevor Trierweiler, Portland; and Greta Wilker, Belding.

The first Student Advisory Council was formed for the 2006-07 school year. With the addition of this class beginning this summer, members will have represented 72 schools from 36 leagues plus independent schools that do not play in a league. Combined, the new appointees have participated in 10 MHSAA sports, and all eight will be the first SAC members from their respective schools.

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 2015: Eliza Beird, Holland Black River; Grant Osborne, White Lake Lakeland; Amanda Paull, Cheboygan; Jonathan Perry, McBain Northern Michigan Christian; Emily Starck, Remus Chippewa Hills; Connor Thomas, Marlette; Caycee Turczyn, Lapeer West; and Aaron Van Horn, Kingston. 

Advisory Council Seeking Class Of '21

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 9, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA is seeking student-athletes to become members of its Student Advisory Council beginning with the 2019-20 school year. 

Four boys and four girls from the Class of 2021 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 2020 already are serving on the Council, while eight members of the Class of 2019 are leaving the Council this spring.

To be eligible for the committee, candidates must be a member of the Class of 2021, 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 24. 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. A fifth S – student leadership – is also a common topic. 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 2020: Grace Beardsley, Gladwin; Kaitlyn Bricker, Pellston; Nathan Eccles, Port Huron Northern; Jack Fairman, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Alexis Mohney, Mattawan; Trevin Phillips, Caro; Bella Lindsay, North Muskegon; and Lance Wiltse, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary.

The eight new members of the Student Advisory Council will be notified by April 26. The 2019-20 meetings are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 25, Oct. 6, Dec. 1, Feb. 1, April 19 and May 17. Meetings will take place at the MHSAA Office in East Lansing. Two conference call meetings will be held Jan. 12 and Jan. 26.

For more information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA – 517-332-5046 or [email protected].