This Week in High School Sports: 10/16/18

October 16, 2018

This week's show features the Selection Sunday primer. Game balls go to Clarkston football quarterback Jake Jenson and North Muskegon soccer goalie Nick Gerstweiler. Punts and Field Goals are the topic of "Be The Referee," and the MHSAA "Perspective" takes a critical look at Football Playoff expansion.

The 5-minute program, powered by MI Student Aid, leads off each week with feature stories from around the state from the MHSAA’s Second Half or network affiliates. "Be The Referee," a 60-second look at the fine art of officiating, comes in the middle of the show and is followed by a closing MHSAA "Perspective."

Listen to this week's show by Clicking Here.

Past editions

October 9: Pickford football, teams that finished undefeated, untied and unscored upon on the gridiron - Listen
October 2: 
Grand Rapids official Dolly Konwinski, "You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me" on a federal court case made by the parents of a kid who didn’t make the cut - Listen
September 25: Bronson volleyball's Kiera Lasky, the real blue-chip participants in high school sports - Listen
September 18: 
Hanover-Horton runner Judy Rector, countering a growing shortage of high school game officials - Listen
September 11:
Alpena soccer coach Tim Storch, balancing interests of all high school athletes - Listen
September 4:
Radio stations celebrating 77 years of high school sports broadcasts, and radio's importance in educational athletics - Listen
August 28:
Forest Hills Central football's Tate Hallock, keeping perspective amid changing times - Listen
August 21: Lansing Everett football coach Mike Smith, MHSAA executive director transition - Listen

First Pitch

October 13, 2011

In journalism world, be it at a newspaper, TV station, magazine or whatever, a reporter pitches a story. The goal: Convince the boss this is something you’ll want to see.

If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re a fan of high school sports or involved in some way. Consider this our “first pitch” to be your home for news and information on the best Michigan has to offer – and in the least, where you start your online day.

We’ve got big plans.

The first 12 years of my career were as Prep Sports Editor at the Lansing State Journal, and my favorite stories to tell have been of your successes – on the field or off, conquering small hills or mighty mountains, often expected but sometimes out of the blue.

Great stories are overflowing in high school athletics. But often, there are not enough opportunities to tell them. We hope to do so here.

“First Pitch” won’t be the name of our full version. We haven’t decided on a title yet; in fact, we’d love to hear what you’d like to name it.

But here’s what you’ll find:

  • Information useful whether you’re an athlete, coach, administrator, or fan.
  • Stories you’ll want to know whether they take place in your hometown or another you’ve never visited.
  • Features highlighting, among many things, the best performances around the state  and explaining why the MHSAA does some of the things we do.
  • Additional coverage, often behind the scenes, from the MHSAA state finals.
  • Our takes – with links – of the best stories written and produced by Michigan’s media corp.
  • Schedules and scores for all of your varsity teams.
  • MHSAA tournament information for all 28 sports we sponsor.
  • And eventually, a lot more.

Over the next few months, you’ll get a taste with “First Pitch.” If you like something we’re doing, let us know. If you’d like to see something else, I’d love to hear about it.

Michigan is the 10th-largest state. There are more than 58,000 square miles of land, and by vehicle it’s 625 miles from Calumet High School near the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula to Bedford High on the southeastern border with Ohio. Nearly 10 million people live here.

We aim to make the state a little smaller.

My contact information is at the right of this screen, and my e-mail address is [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you – and telling the entire state about the great things you’re doing.