The 6 Ds of Brenda Gatlin - Master of the Coaching Dance
By
Ron Pesch
MHSAA historian
September 30, 2021
She is remembered fondly as one of the greatest to ever coach in the Detroit Public School League and the State of Michigan, yet you won’t see Brenda Gatlin’s name among the leaders in all-time basketball victories. A search of the MHSAA List of Girls Basketball Champions displays her name only once.
You will, however, find Gatlin’s name in one most unexpected, yet fitting place.
The Corner Ballpark, the redevelopment of the site of historic Tiger Stadium – located at Michigan and Trumbull in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood – includes the Hank Greenberg Walk of Heroes. Opened in 2019, the “exhibit features 12 stories of Michigan citizens who displayed character, innovation and trailblazing spirit in the sports field and the community at large.”
The Corner tribute, as one might expect, includes Tigers greats Greenberg, Hank Aguirre, and Willie Horton. Norman ‘Turkey’ Stearns, a baseball Hall of Fame member and legend with the Detroit Stars of the Negro League is another honoree.
Mixed in with the other eight is Gatlin. The honor is most deserved.
Champion in Life
Gatlin never expected to coach basketball.
“I was a dance teacher,” she told The Southeastern Jungaleer, a public forum for the students and community of Southeastern High School published in the Detroit Free Press in 2009 at the time of her retirement after 43 years in public education. “Early in my teaching career I was asked to coach. I knew nothing about basketball.”
The daughter of a gifted clarinetist, who taught at Lincoln University then left for Virginia State College (VSC) where he became the Head of the Music Department, Gatlin was born in Jefferson City, Mo., to Dr. F Nathaniel Gatlin and his bride, Mildred Pettiford Gatlin, an elementary education teacher and reading specialist. The family moved to Petersburg, Va., when her father accepted a position at VSC. Brenda graduated from segregated Peabody High School – the earliest publicly-funded high school for African Americans in Virginia.
“Dad was strict and no nonsense – mom, nurturing and loving,” Gatlin recently recalled of her parents. “Dad was loving also, but his life was filled with so many trials and tribulations. It would take too much time to explain. He graduated from Oberlin Conservative College of Music, Northwestern University (master’s), and Columbia University (doctorate). Mom graduated from Lincoln University (bachelor’s) and VSC (master’s).
“I, of course, did not want to attend Virginia State because I grew up on the campus. My dad insisted, ‘If it is good enough for me to work here, it is good enough for you to attend.’ I started out as an English major my freshman year and changed to health and physical education with a focus on dance. They did not have a choice of dance as a major.”
Brenda began teaching in Detroit at Barbour Middle School in 1966: “I started my tenure with Detroit Public Schools immediately upon graduating.”
“When I came to Detroit, I only planned to stay here three years. But I fell in love with the city,” she told the Free Press in 1976.
Her next career move was to Detroit Northeastern for the 1969-70 school year.
“I went to the Office of Human Resources and they had an opening at Northeastern high school for a Health and Physical Education and Dance Teacher. All of my classes were dance. I was elated. … My love was always Ballet, and Modern Dance,” she said. “At one of our department meetings, Norm Morris, Department Head, said we need a girls’ basketball coach.”
Both programs were long-established athletic department activities with histories that dated back decades at the school, once located on Detroit’s Lower East Side.
“I was in the midst of creating a choreography for the ALL-City Dance Concert that had been scheduled. Mr. Morris knocked me for a loop and said, Ms. Gatlin, you will coach the girls’ basketball team …” she recalled.
“I never in my wildest dreams ever thought that I would have to coach any sports, especially girls basketball.”
Making of a Coach
As a health and physical education major, Gatlin had played some intramurals and learned about sports mechanics, policies and procedures, and rules and regulations while in college.
“I was familiar with the 6-player rule, but the year I started coaching, the rules for girls had changed from 6-on-6 with a roving player to 5-on-5 with unlimited dribbling” she said. “Well needless to say, I choreographed my plays; I knew about movement. I studied the game as much as possible, but my focus was on dance.
“(I)n our first two seasons, we played only five games (each season),” she said to the Free Press, remembering those days when the girls played only against other Detroit city schools.
“The home team (supplied) oranges at half time, and cookies and milk for a social after the game,” she said recently, describing a completely different era. “You can imagine those girls scrapping and running down the court and then having to sit with the opposing team at the end for a social.”
In 2002, she recalled her opening contest as a coach for Lorne Plant at State Champs: “(Our opponent) proceeded to beat us by about 30 points.”
That game was a turning point.
“When we hosted Central high school, under the coaching jurisdiction of Doris Jones, everything changed. … I greeted Coach Jones. Without a greeting, she immediately said, ‘Where is the gym?’ I knew we were in big trouble.
“Sitting there watching my choreographed plays and movements … watching the determination on the faces of my girls – who looked over to me for answers, which I had none, watching my girls continue to fight and battle, even though they were down by 30 points, changed my life and focus. They just didn’t have the skills to compete. I vowed at that moment, ‘no students under my tutelage would be demoralized or embarrassed because they did not, at least, have the skills to compete.’ That game did it, and I owe it all to Coach Doris Jones. I rolled-up my sleeves and got to work.”
Title IX
The advent of Title IX meant things were changing in girls athletics all over the country.
“I remember attending myriad meetings at Wigle Recreation Center with other Detroit female physical education teachers. (At that time, women were the only ones allowed to coach girls in athletics in Michigan). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss whether girls should adopt the same 10 game schedule as the boys,” she said. “Some of the older coaches, and teachers had comments like: ‘This will be too difficult on the female body … studies show that the female uterus will drop if girls are allowed to run up and down the court for any length of time.’ We had to sit and listen to comments such as that. However, we voted that girls should be provided the same opportunities as boys. I suppose Christine Whitehead, Assistant Director of Athletics, provided Dr. Robert Luby (director of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Safety for Detroit Public Schools from 1962 to 1983) with our sentiments. With Title IX it was a given. Some people still fought it.”
“Subsequent to the fiasco with Central, I had commenced the process of enhancing my knowledge of the rules and skills inherent in the game of basketball defensively and offensively. I discovered (UCLA coach) John Wooden’s books. His books became sort of my ‘Basketball Bibles.’ I became obsessed with the game. I woke up with basketball, went to sleep with basketball.
“And further, the recreation centers were sending us players who had some experience with the game. The Catholic Schools had a feeder program. We did not. So, my hat goes off to Virginia Lawrence and her sister Evalena, Coach Curtis Green, and many others who taught girls at an early age the skills of basketball.”
With the arrival of the federal law, the MHSAA sponsored its first girls basketball tournament in the fall of 1973. Gatlin’s Falconettes were ready.
Led by Hazel Gibson and the talented Williams sisters (Annette, Helen, and Shelia), they were now among the top teams in Detroit.
The team advanced to the Class A Regional Finals, falling to eventual state champ Detroit Dominican. All-city selection Sheila Williams, a sophomore, scored 26 points and pulled down 26 rebounds to lead the Falconettes.
In 1974, Northeastern trounced Murray-Wright, 73-27, winning its first Public School League (PSL) regular-season tournament before 500 fans at Wayne State University’s Matthaei Building. Gatlin’s team again ran into Dominican in the MHSAA Tournament, this time in a District Final. The Williams sisters combined for 61 of the Falconettes’ 71 points but fell 74-71 in a foul-filled game.
The defeat was Northeastern’s only loss in 16 games. Senior Lynn Chadwick posted a career-high 28 points to lead Dominican, which would repeat as Class A champ.
“Girls will play their heart out for you,” Gatlin told the Free Press following the season, “if they believe in you and if you treat them fairly.”
Postseason reward came in 1975 when Northeastern topped Dominican in the MHSAA Semifinals, 75-69, then defeated Farmington Our Lady of Mercy, 67-62, to earn the Class A title. Helen Williams scored 31 in the championship game, while Shelia added 20.
“Everybody knows about Shelia and Helen,” Gatlin told the press, “but it was the defense we got from our guards that did the job for us in the second half. We switched from a zone defense to our press and that made the difference.” Northeastern ended the year with a perfect 20-0 record.
Gatlin spent two more seasons at Northeastern before moving on to newly-opened Detroit Renaissance in the fall of 1978.
College Calls
“In 1978, I was asked to teach in a new examination high school,” continued Gatlin, “Renaissance High School (located at Old Catholic Central School). I hesitated because transferring to Renaissance meant no coaching, for Renaissance would not have an athletic program. It would be strictly academic. I enjoyed the fact that I was a part of the planning process in developing plans for the opening of a new school. The whole Renaissance situation was controversial, because many thought Cass (Tech) was enough. The rest is history. Our students were only able to participate in an intramural program, and I taught dance.”
There, she received a call from the athletic director at University of Michigan-Dearborn. Roy Allen, the associate director of health and education for the Detroit Public Schools, had passed on her name as a possible candidate to lead Michigan-Dearborn’s girls basketball team.
“I was able to juggle my teaching responsibilities at Renaissance with my coaching responsibilities at Michigan-Dearborn,” she said. But balancing the coaching duties would become more challenging as time moved on.
“It became even more difficult as the distances of scheduled games became further and further. We were only provided a van that my Assistant Coach and I had to drive. Returning so late and trying not to short-change my students at Renaissance became even more difficult.”
Return to the PSL
“In 1981, Dr. Remus, the first principal of Renaissance who convinced me to transfer from Northeastern, was asked to become the principal of Cass Tech. Cass was experiencing some issues that they felt Dr. Remus could clear up,” Gatlin said. “Shirley Burke, the successful girls basketball coach at Cass, was stepping down. Cass also needed a dance teacher. Therefore, Dr. Remus said, ‘Ms. Gatlin, I need you at Cass.’ I think I was ready to get back to the high school level. I learned so much more coaching on the collegiate level and had grown extensively. Coach Burke left me with great players.”
When a teacher’s strike in the fall of 1982 threatened the Lady Technicians’ basketball season, Gatlin and her players petitioned Detroit school superintendent Dr. Arthur Jefferson for equal treatment that was afforded the Detroit PSL prep football teams.
“Coaching staffs at Detroit’s 21 high schools have volunteered to continue the football program after hours despite a three-week-old strike,” wrote Joyce Walker-Tyson in the Free Press. “Schools must play a certain number of games to be eligible for tournaments. While there is no similar requirement for girls’ basketball, Title IX … calls for equality in boys’ and girls’ athletics.
“During the teachers’ strike, (the girls were) the ones who went down to talk to the board (of education) all by themselves,” Gatlin told the Free Press’s Mick McCabe
When all 21 of the girls high school coaches volunteered their services, the girls season was saved, although it started late.
Her 1982 team upset No. 2-ranked Trenton in the Regional Final before advancing to the Class A Quarterfinals and falling to Farmington Mercy 38-34 in a thriller.
The season marked the first of three straight PSL championships won by Gatlin’s teams. At Cass Tech she developed a number of all-city and all-state players, including Pamela Dubose (Iowa/Wayne State), Kendra McDonald (Western Michigan), Nikita Lowry (Ohio State), Adrianne Smiley (Ball State), Clarissa Merritt (Ferris State), Sonya Watkins (Houston) – whose father Tommy had been a running back for the Detroit Lions from 1962-67 – Wendy Mingo, Savarior Moss, Yvette Walters, and others.
Expanded Responsibilities, Greater Influence
In the fall of the 1984-85 school year, Gatlin was asked to also coach Cass Tech’s boys team.
“I looked at my staff and hired the best possible person,” said Jeannette Wheatley, Detroit Cass Tech principal in September 1984. “Brenda is an excellent teacher, and she is a marvelous motivator.”
“I see it as a challenge for all female coaches,” Gatlin said to McCabe after the announcement. “But the men have been doing a dual role for years. The Xs and Os are Xs and Os. Basketball is basketball. Outside the strength factor, it’s the same game.”
Gatlin at Cass Tech, Kathy Curtis at Colon, and Carol Brooks at Burr Oak were all in charge of boys varsity teams that winter. They are believed to be the first to do so in Michigan.
She took the job for a year, but delayed her start. The beginning of the boys schedule in 1984 overlapped the girls postseason. (Prior to the 2007-08 school year, girls basketball was played in the fall in Michigan.) Gatlin didn’t want to shortchange her girls.
The Lady Technicians finished with 22 wins against 4 losses that season, advancing to the Class A Semifinals before falling to eventual champion Flint Northwestern. So it was mid-December before she returned to the boys team for the fourth game of the season, a 60-58 win. A young team, Cass Tech finished 10-9 on the year.
Back in 1974, Gatlin told Hal Schram of the Free Press that she wasn’t sure she wanted to spend the rest of her life coaching basketball.
“You have to be a psychologist, a coach and a sociologist to get the complete job done,” she said.
She continued coaching the girls at Cass Tech in the fall of 1985. Then an opportunity came in 1986 to move into administration and serve as athletic director at Detroit Southwestern. She took the job, as it offered an opportunity to make impact on a larger scale. There, she also taught modern dance.
In 1992, she moved back to Cass Tech, now as an assistant principal. She became principal at Southeastern in 1999, where she stayed until her retirement.
Determination
Today, she continues to practice her belief in the potential of the human being, working with Cranbrook schools and their Horizons-Upward Bound Program as academic dean. There, she helps students from the Detroit metropolitan area who have limited opportunities to enter and succeed in college.
Her life has always been built around four Ds.
“I still use it even with my students in the Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound Program,” she said. “When I use the Ds with Basketball, it becomes five Ds: Determination, Dedication, Desire, Discipline, and Defense.
“My players knew that defense wins games; it’s the name of the game. Offense is for the spectators. Defense is for the win. Our chant in our huddle always ended with, ‘The name of the game?’ They would respond with ‘Defense!’ This would be recited several times in the huddle prior to them taking the floor. My players knew that the most important ‘D’ other than defense is discipline.
“... I may have adopted it from my dad. I also used his quote, ‘The difference between resting on the bench and rusting on the bench is u.’ There were a few others.
“You can be dedicated, you can have the determination and the desire, but if you don’t have the discipline, success may not happen.”
The Sixth ‘D’ - Drive
“I get my determination and drive from my dad. My mom was very mild mannered. They were an awesome couple and a great parental balance for my brother Nat and me,” she said, and that drive – the need to teach – remains strong.
“I can’t stop.”
Ron Pesch has taken an active role in researching the history of MHSAA events since 1985 and began writing for MHSAA Finals programs in 1986, adding additional features and "flashbacks" in 1992. He inherited the title of MHSAA historian from the late Dick Kishpaugh following the 1993-94 school year, and resides in Muskegon. Contact him at [email protected] with ideas for historical articles.
PHOTOS (Top) Brenda Gatlin is among honorees at Detroit’s “Walk of Heroes” display. (2) Gatlin’s first high school position was at Detroit Northeastern, here in 1971. (3) The 1974 Falconettes pose with their first Public School League trophy. (4) Gatlin huddles with the team in 1976. (5) The 1983 Cass Tech team: (Kneeling, left to right) Kim Justice, Ursula Gordon, Andrea Shaw and LaTrece Owens. (Standing, left to right) Coach Brenda Gatlin, Adrienne Smiley, Clarissa Merritt, Wendy Mingo, Kendra McDonald, Nikita Lowry, Kim Wells and Kathy Scates. (6) Gatlin left Cass Tech in 1986 to become athletic director at Detroit Southwestern. (Photos gathered by Ron Pesch from multiple school yearbooks.)
Longtime Official, Assigner, Association Leader Czech Named 36th Norris Honoree
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 10, 2026
While a game official’s most recognizable work is done on the field of play, much must be accomplished behind the scenes as well to produce that finished product – and Oak Park’s Robert Czech long has been revered while serving as a game official in four sports, an assigner of officials to work high school and middle school events, and a supporter of his colleagues as co-creator and continuing mentor for one of the state’s largest officials associations.
To celebrate his vast contributions to officiating in Metro Detroit and statewide, Czech will be honored with the 36th Vern L. Norris Leadership in Officiating Award during the MHSAA’s Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 25 in East Lansing.
The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-respected by officials on the state and national levels. Czech will be honored at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center along with high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 55 years of service.
Czech is in his 44th year as an MHSAA-registered official for football, basketball, softball and baseball, and he previously was registered for two years to officiate volleyball as well. He also has assigned officials for more than 35 years, currently doing so for selected sports in the Oakland Activities Association, Lakes Valley Conference, Kensington Lakes Activities Association and Michigan Independent Athletic Conference, and he is a longtime leader with Metro Detroit Athletic Officials (MDAO), an association which counts 650 officials among its membership.
His first games as an official came on the football field in the Detroit Police Athletic League, and from there he followed mentors including past Norris winners Robert Williams and Hugh Jewell into an avocation that has become a life’s work.
“When you’re younger, you can catch a little heat from coaches and players and parents, (and) it’s easy to get down on yourself a little bit – but you just have to stick with it,” said Czech, a retired Detroit police officer. “All the older guys will tell you, hey, it will go away, you’ll be fine and you’ll learn from it, you’ll grow and you’ll feel a lot better. And one good thing about this type of business, or this avocation, you’re running into people from all different walks of life – cops, teachers, insurance people, lawyers, doctors, dentists – there’s all kinds of people who work in this kind of avocation. So you get to see a whole side of life, and that’s good, (with) great relationships and many, many friendships.”
Several of those relationships and friendships also were cultivated with local athletic directors, who approached Czech decades ago requesting help with the time-consuming task of finding officials for their contests. Before assigners, schools contacted individual officials, and individual officials made their own schedules. Czech was among assigning pioneers, and currently places officials on thousands of games every season in the four sports he also officiates.
He also has continued to work on the field at an elite level. He has received 297 MHSAA Tournament assignments over the years, including football, girls and boys basketball playoff games this school year. He’s officiated a combined eight Finals in football and baseball, most recently wearing the white hat for the 2022 11-Player Division 1 Football Final between Belleville and Caledonia.
“Bob Czech personifies leadership in officiating, not only on the field but in the ever-important areas of support, education and recruiting of the next generation of officials,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “Integrity, fairness, professionalism and commitment are among Bob's qualities referenced by his colleagues, and they also will tell you he is always available to them and always doing his utmost to make sure students receive the best experience.”
Czech graduated from Detroit Benedictine High School in 1974. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from University of Detroit Mercy in 1978 and a master’s in political science from Wayne State University in 1983. He has served as a director of the annual Prep Kickoff Classic football series and been active with the Fraternal Order of Police, Friendship Circle of West Bloomfield, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center and March of Dimes. He also has contributed to the Miracle League of Southfield, Forgotten Harvest and City of Oak Park.
Czech received a lifetime achievement award from the Oakland County Athletic Directors Association (OCADA) in 2016 and was inducted into the Catholic High School League (CHSL) Hall of Fame in 2008.
He and his wife Patricia have three adult daughters.
Previous recipients of the Norris Award
1992 – Ted Wilson, East Detroit
1993 – Fred Briggs, Burton
1994 – Joe Brodie, Flat Rock
1995 – Jim Massar, Flint
1996 – Jim Lamoreaux, St. Ignace
1997 – Ken Myllyla, Escanaba
1998 – Blake Hagman, Kalamazoo
1999 – Richard Kalahar, Jackson
2000 – Barb Beckett, Traverse City; Karl Newingham, Bay City
2001 – Herb Lipschultz, Kalamazoo
2002 – Robert Scholie, Hancock
2003 – Ron Nagy, Hazel Park
2004 – Carl Van Heck, Grand Rapids
2005 – Bruce Moss, Alma
2006 – Jeanne Skinner, Grand Rapids
2007 – Terry Wakeley, Grayling
2008 – Will Lynch, Honor
2009 – James Danhoff, Richland
2010 – John Juday Sr., Petoskey
2011 – Robert Williams, Redford
2012 – Lyle Berry, Rockford
2013 – Tom Minter, Okemos
2014 – Hugh R. Jewell, West Bloomfield
2015 – Sam Davis, Lansing
2016 – Linda Hoover, Marshall
2017 – Michael Gentry, Shelby Township
2018 – Jill Baker-Cooley, Big Rapids
2019 – David Buck, St. Joseph
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
2021 – Lewis Clingman, Grand Rapids
2022 – Pat Hayes, Birmingham
2023 – Chuck D. Walters, Jackson
2024 – Candace Cox, Quincy
2025 – Debby Karabees-Betts, Livonia
High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 55 years of service also will be honored at the Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 24. A total of 17 officials with 55 years of service will be honored, as will 32 with 50 years of service, 28 officials with 45 years and 56 officials with 40 years of service. A 30-year award will be presented to 99 officials, and 153 officials with 20 years of experience will be honored.
Also being honored during the Awards & Alumni Banquet is Legacy Program official Owen Rottier, a senior at Grand Ledge High School. He intends to continue his studies toward becoming an emergency medical technician at Lansing Community College after completing multiple courses during his junior and senior years of high school. He already has earned his certified nurse aide (CNA) and patient care technician (PCT) licenses. Rottier has competed in cross country and track & field throughout his high school career and served as team captain of both, and officiated both sports as part of the Legacy Program.
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45, 50 & 55-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 55-year service awards.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian - Cary F. Carrico
Adrian - Casey R. Opsal
Alanson - Dennis C. Hewitt
Albion - Raymond D. Courter
Allegan - Scott T. Jones
Ann Arbor - Richard J. Gilbert
Argyle - Jamie Davison
Auburn Hills - Deborah S. Archer
Augusta - Haig D. Black
Battle Creek - Shikoko H. Cantrell
Bay City - Robert J. Spyhalski
Bay City - Ryan M. Schalk
Bellevue - Paul I. Temple
Belmont - Brian Patterson
Beulah - Roark V. Pargeon
Bloomfield Hills - Kenneth J. Paszkiewicz
Brighton - Shawn P. Waterman
Brownstown - Stephen M. McInchak
Burr Oak - Randy Walls
Burton - Ken W. Carver
Cadillac - James A. Dawson
Caledonia - Amber J. Traves-Sterkenburg
Canton - Michael J. Burke
Canton - Mark A. Collins
Capac - Brent J. Boers
Caro - Brian V. Newcomb
Cassopolis - Brian A. Kuemin
Cedar Springs - Randy J. Thiel
Cement City - Thomas E. Cameron
Channing - Cory M. Roell
Chesterfield - Thomas V. Michno
Clarkston - Yalda P. Peera
Clinton Township - Christopher E. Dalida
Clinton Township - Elizabeth A. Gulick
Coldwater - Scott Heckman
Coloma - Anthony Bertuca
Commerce Township - David R. Eberline
Detroit - Ozzie S. Ashley
DeWitt - Chris B. McNeilly
Dowagiac - Anthony J. Saviano
Durand - Christopher P. Goodrich
Eastpointe - Matthew W. Cowan
Erie - Joshua Sweigert
Farmington Hills - Tia M. Stanley
Fennville - Bruce R. Klosner
Flushing - Linda M. Bishop
Fowlerville - Cynthia L. Champagne
Frankenmuth - Brent A. Shoemate
Frankfort - William C. Henning
Fraser - Shemek P. Pryszczewski
Freeland - Michael R. Williams
Fremont - Brian Peets
Gladwin - Patrick A. Peters
Grand Blanc - Richard E. Brochu
Grand Haven - James R. Corgan
Grand Ledge - DeLee M. Dankenbring
Grand Rapids - Otto N. Brannum
Grand Rapids - Diana G. Dildine
Grand Rapids - Luke C. Griemsman
Grand Rapids - Daniel R. Heitzman
Grand Rapids - Steven D. Lee
Grand Rapids - Terry C. Seely
Grand Rapids - Kevin R. Weber
Grand Rapids - David W. Running
Grandville - George M. Dillard
Grass Lake - Terry J. Sullivan
Grass Lake - Bill T. Walker
Grosse Ile - Denise Smith
Grosse Pointe Woods - Russell Hapanowicz
Hancock - Steve Aho
Harbor Beach - Brian M. Fuller
Hart - Kayla J. Dennert
Hawks - Glenn Budnick
Hermansville - Kevin J. Bellefeuil
Hesperia - Douglas W. Baird
Holland - Anne M. Huizinga
Holland - Jame Phonechanthasone
Hopkins - Chad O. Burch
Hudsonville - Joseph J. Amante
Hudsonville - Kurt L. Berens
Hudsonville - David A. Bott
Imlay City - Allen L. Hibbler
Ionia - Robert S. Sykes
Iron Mountain - Dean A. Lefebvre
Jackson - Craig Dreyer
Jackson - Jeffery D. Oliver
Jackson - Matthew L. Tuttle
Jenison - Steven J. Meyer
Jerome - Chris Zombor
Kalamazoo - Terry L. Fields
Kalamazoo - Robert H. Flach
Kalamazoo - Dennis Keith
Kalamazoo - Alex D. Vigh
Kalamazoo - Jerome C. Jones
Kentwood - Rodney S. Suggs
Kingsford - Lisa J. Harry
Lakeview - Tim G. Rasmussen
Livonia - Aaron J. Rumberger
Livonia - Sean R. Williams
Macomb - Steven A. Livingston
Madison Heights - Tom A. Turczyn
Maple City - Amede A. DeCruydt
Mason - Johanna Andersen
Menominee - Robert J. Villas
Midland - Greg S. Pattinson
Monroe - Christopher T. Westover
Muskegon - Ben Hylland
Muskegon - Scott A. Sikkenga
Muskegon - Donald Snider
Muskegon - Cameron Carr
Onaway - Kymberli A. Wregglesworth
Otisville - Mark D. McDowell
Otsego - Kevin L. Ordway
Parma - Steven T. Walker
Petoskey - Shaun Lamp
Portage - Jeremy Lassiter
Prescott - Anton W. Gersten
Quincy - Michael A. Siegel
Redford - Omar I. Sanders
Rochester Hills - Matt Lewis
Rochester Hills - Derrick A. Roman
Saginaw - Mark A. Kinnett
Sandusky - Nathan E. Rose
South Lyon - John P. Evans
Spring Lake - Paul Richards
St Clair Shores - Michael Billiu
St Joseph - Bruce L. Bittenbender
St Joseph - Kevin P. Boyle
St. Clair Shores - Anthony P. Djurasaj
Sterling Heights - Nicole L. Toth
Sturgis - Brady L. Driver
Swartz Creek - Michael A. McLaughlin
Tecumseh - Brece M. Clark
Tecumseh - John D. Craig
Traverse City - Matthew J. Ameel
Trenton - Steve T. Seward
Troy - Joseph H. Amann
Troy - Paul W. Boehms
Utica - Tom Szynski
Walled Lake - John R. Lyons
Warren - James N. Leshan
Waterford - Richard D. Crouse
Waterford - Deno G. Pappas
Waterford - Robert Trumble
Westland - Jack D. Profitt
Westland - Roger A. Schmittling
White Lake - Michael B. Andrews
Whitehall - Ace J. Covey
Williamston - Giles J. Brereton
Ypsilanti - William M. Nuttall
Ypsilanti - Demetrius L. Owens
Ypsilanti - Steven A. Vinson
Ypsilanti - Ron C. Blevins
30-YEAR OFFICIALS
Acme - Randall S. Smith
Allendale - Brian G. Haraburda
Alpena - Shawn T. Ballor
Ann Arbor - Thomas W. Richards
Bark River - Joseph L. Richer
Bay City - Frank W. Sniecinski
Big Rapids - Timothy J. Leyder
Big Rapids - Gregg S. Sanders
Big Rapids - David A. Scott
Birch Run - Stanley M. Krajkowski
Bowling Green, Ohio - Jim Evans
Boyne Falls - David M. Kruskie
Brimley - Steven C. Wilson
Bronson - Jayne A. Sabaitis
Brown City - Christine J. Lee
Byron Center - Curt A. Stuck
Canton - Andrew B. Calvetti
Chesterfield - Gregory Blick
Clarkston - Craig H. Zinser
Davison - Bryan K. Illig
Dearborn Heights - William J. Stewart
Detroit - Thomas B. Harris
East Tawas - David C. Thunberg
Essexville - James W. Niswander
Fishers, Ind. - Martin K. Spees
Flint - Ronald S. Thomas
Fowlerville - James K. Jonas
Fremont - David C. Steele
Galesburg - Steve C. Pearce
Garden City - Robert E. Phillips
Gaylord - James F. Vanderveer
Grand Blanc - James J. Blakley Jr.
Grand Blanc - Greg D. Hamilton
Grand Haven - Frank E. Roder
Grand Rapids - Wallace L. Campbell
Grandville - John P. Kievit
Greenville - Paul R. Richardson
Hillman - David M. Wcisel Sr.
Holland - Douglas J. Smith
Houghton Lake - Louise C. Hofer
Hudsonville - Daniel N. Hendrickson
Hudsonville - David L. Weick
Inkster - Ed J. Mingo
Jackson - Chris R. Dauterman
Jackson - Willie N. Godfrey Jr.
Jackson - Troy D. Miller
Kawkawlin - James J. Metz
Kentwood - Rebecca L. Cajka
Lathrup Village - Crathman G. Stephens
Lexington - William E. Cayce
Livonia - Paul J. Mardeusz
Marquette - George D. Pond Jr.
Marshall - Rodney S. Dawson
Midland - Richard E. Campbell Jr.
Mount Pleasant - Douglas A. Downhour
Muskegon - Ollie L. Sandifer Jr.
Muskegon - Johnnie F. Tanner Sr.
New Baltimore - Rodriquez A. Lackey
Novi - Charles H. Edwards
Novi - Lonnie C. Erickson
Otsego - Brian W. Bonnell
Owosso - Robert J. Pumford
Peck - Jeff Kosal
Perry - Jake T. Baumgartner
Pinckney - James E. Chapman
Plymouth - Brent D. Albrecht
Quinnesec - Jerry W. Sanders
Redford - Arnold R. Rambus
Romulus - James D. Hinojosa
Romulus - Michael J. Jackson
Roseville - Steven M. Garbarino
Saginaw - Joe F. Schimpf
Saginaw - Monte A. Steward
Saginaw - Roger L. Swanson
Saginaw - Henry Velasquez
Shelby Township - Shana L. Poll
South Lyon - Patrick G. Bracco
Southgate - Byron J. Beattie
St. Joseph - Robert C. Banasik
Stanton - Douglas W. Mascho
Stanton - Edmund F. Phillipson Jr.
Sterling Heights - Robert L. Fort Jr.
Sterling Heights - Bret Turner
Sylvania, Ohio - John F. Blessing
Tecumseh - Jamie D. Mossburg
Trenton - David H. Mossoian
Walker - Wayne R. Bentley
Walker - Jess W. Hollenbeck II
Warren - Stanley L. Wright
Waterford - Michael D. Morgan
Wayland - Thomas J. Hudson
White Lake - Becky L. Lioi
Woodhaven - Frank L. Vilardi
Wyandotte - Allen C. Hall
Wyandotte - Larry J. Martin
Wyandotte - Robert J. Szczechowski
Wyoming - Robert D. Dabakey
Ypsilanti - Daniel L. Cobello
Ypsilanti - Mary F. Gray
40-YEAR OFFICIALS
Ada - Brian J. Todey
Alma - Chris A. Taylor
Alvordton, Ohio - Max A. Smeltzer
Arden - Christopher B. Haack
Auburn - Philip G. Ouillette
Bad Axe - Dale J. Grifka
Bannister - Bryon P. Taylor
Battle Creek - Carl P. Olson
Brighton - Carolyn I. Richards
Byron Center - Curt Johnson
Cheboygan - Matt C. Redmond
Chesterfield - Marty McCabe
Coldwater - Randolph E. Spangler
Fenton - Lisa M. McKenney
Gobles - Steven L. Grybus
Grand Ledge - Todd H. Compton
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey P. Kirchhoff
Grand Rapids - Stephen J. VanHammen
Grawn - Thomas M. Hallead
Grayling - Scott T. Gabriel
Hessel - Joseph E. Baker
Holt - Mark D. Coscarella
Honor - Richard L. Zych
Houghton - William J. O'Connor
Iron Mountain - John E. Hogberg
Iron Mountain - Lawrence J. Ross
Kalamazoo - Charles E. Parker
Kentwood - Susan J. Barthold
Lapeer - Stephen R. Fox
Lathrup Village - Dale K. Harris
Manistique - Charles A. Richey
Marshall - Brad Hall
Menominee - Michael F. Andre
Midland - Donald A. Rose Jr.
Mio - Luke D. Houlton
Munising - Dee Jay Paquette
Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Scott D. Dobie
Owosso - Eugene S. Davis
Pentwater - William C. Bainton
Pentwater - Brett A. Spalding
Pewamo - Bruce G. Nurenberg
Redford - Mark A. Sleboda
Reed City - Sharon R. Lucey
Romulus - Fred M. Waybrant
Saginaw - Luis H. Paredes
Sandusky - Brian P. Jones
Sheridan - Michael T. Myers
Southgate - David J. Weidenbach
Sterling Heights - Armando Melchiorre
Sumner - Rollie L. Carman
Sylvania, Ohio - Daniel J. Miller
Union Pier - Joseph J. Gonzales
Warren - Charles "Tony" Pankowski
Westland - Stephen L. Patterson
Westland - Roger R. Provey Jr.
Whitehall - Dominic E. Pulaski
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen Park - James C. Bales
Battle Creek - David L. Eubank
Blissfield - Christopher L. Bates
Byron Center - Rick S. Hazel
Canton - Jeanne L. Martin
Constantine - Marge Caid
Deerfield - William P. Gomoluch
Evart - Tom W. Adams
Grand Blanc - Curtis L. Williams
Grand Rapids - Thomas D. Shearer
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey A. Wierzbicki
Grosse Pointe Park - Kelvin W. Wise
Ionia - Mike A. Fuller
Iron Mountain - John N. Meyer
Lansing - Michael R. Conlin
Livonia - Brian R. Dinsmore
Madison Heights - Wilford J. Laveirge
Mayville - Clare L. Kreger
Muskegon - Onesiphorus B. Burrel Sr.
New Hudson - Dennis E. Evans
Norton Shores - Randall S. Martinus
Okemos - Michael J. Maisner
Okemos - Lee Rodgers
Plymouth - William R. Baumgart
Rogers City - Roger M. Wenzel
Sterling Heights - Philip J. Lieblang
Wixom - Patrick L. Beagle
Zeeland - Linda S. Schmidt
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Baraga - James L. Holm
Bowling Green, Ohio - Thomas L. Ford
Cadillac - William J. Allen
Caledonia - George B. Watterson
Fairgrove - Jerry L. Lasceski
Flat Rock - Robert J. Brodie
Freeland - Kim D. Heisler
Gaylord - Tom T. Johnson
Gaylord - Kevin M. Leary
Gladwin - Michael E. Steinkraus
Grand Rapids - Patricia A. Treman
Hancock - John D. Vaara
Hermansville - Robert J. Maule
Highland - Evan H. Lehto
Holland - David W. Smits
Jackson - Ardis Jill Conat
Lansing - Karen L. Yanna
Livonia - Laura J. Alves
Mattawan - William L. Post
McMillan - Cliff J. Fossitt
Michigan Center - Daniel C. Bentschneider
Northville - Edward K. Gabrys
Norton Shores - Duane A. VandenHeuvel
Oconto, Wis. - Peter C. Pericolosi
Portage - Frank S. Gawkowski
Posen - Kenneth Wozniak
Saginaw - John C. Flukes
Saginaw - John E. Oczepek
Swartz Creek - David J. Sutton
Three Rivers - Kim D. Losik
Traverse City - Michael J. Muldowney
Wyoming - Sandra K. Noto
55-YEAR OFFICIALS
Battle Creek - Richard L. Randle
Caro - John H. Amend
Clio - Anthony J. Leonardo
Comstock Park - Riley S. Swinehart
Delton - Gregory W. Nikitas
Grand Rapids - James J. Aalderink
Holt - John S. Malatinsky
Jackson - Ozzie L. Hashley
Macomb - Chet W. Boss
Marcellus - Deborah L. Schug
Mesick - Paul G. Williams
Prudenville - Robert J. Studer
Rochester Hills - William Upina
Royal Oak - Mike Luttenberger
Spring Lake - Joseph G. Popiel
Tecumseh - Nancy A. Hebert
Traverse City - Collette C. Hallberg
PHOTO Official Bob Czech, top left, monitors the action during the 2022 11-Player Division 1 Football Final at Ford Field.