In Memoriam: Tom Stockton (1953-2026)
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 19, 2026
The MHSAA and statewide bowling community are mourning the loss of one of the high school sport’s pioneering leaders, Tom Stockton, who died March 5 at age 73. All would agree high school bowling in Michigan would not enjoy its current popularity and growing participation without his several contributions impacting schools near and far.
Stockton served as Sterling Heights Stevenson’s bowling coach for 29 years, including as co-coach of both the girls and boys teams that won Division 1 championships in 2009 after also coaching the boys to the Class A title in 2005. That first Finals win concluded the second season of bowling as an MHSAA-sponsored tournament sport – an effort in itself that defined Stockton’s dedication to the students taking part.
Stockton was a founding member of the Michigan High School Interscholastic Bowling Coaches Association (MHSIBCA) and served several years as first vice president. The MHSAA began its bowling sponsorship in 2003-04, and the first Finals in Class A, B and C-D were competed at Stevenson’s home center, Sunnybrook Lanes. As the sport expanded and Finals were separated to multiple centers, Stockton accepted the role as the MHSAA’s Class A, and then Division 1, Finals manager.
One of several benefits of adding bowling to the MHSAA calendar is that it has allowed several athletes the opportunity to compete representing their schools for the first time – something that helped drive Stockton’s dedication. He is also remembered as a mentor by many and an inspiration for the growth of the sport that now sees more than 7,000 bowlers annually.
Stockton was selected to the Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSCA) Hall of Fame in 2020. He was a 1971 graduate of Warren High School. Click for his full obituary.
(Photos courtesy of the MHSIBCA.)
Ann Arbor Greenhills Athletics Recognized as 'Exemplary' by NIAAA
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
July 29, 2022
Ann Arbor Greenhills’ athletic department has been selected for a Quality Program Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), becoming the first Michigan school to receive the exemplary-level honor since the QPA was introduced in 2009.
Programs were considered by the NIAAA based on 10 assessment categories that aspire to “encourage measurement, planning and goal setting aimed at continuous improvement of local school athletic programs.” Greenhills will be recognized for the achievement during December’s NIAAA/NFHS National Athletic Directors Conference in Nashville, Tenn.
Greenhills sponsors 21 sports, and 247 of the school’s 355 students during the 2021-22 school year participated on at least one team.
"At Greenhills, we have always prided ourselves on continuous improvement, and aim to provide an exemplary experience for all of our student-athletes,” athletic director Meg Seng said. “The NIAAA Quality Program assessment guided us through a comprehensive examination of our entire athletic program. This exercise affirmed many of our strengths and also highlighted areas in which we can continue to improve.
“We remain motivated to measure, innovate and improve our program to benefit the student experience. While we are extremely grateful and proud for the recognition, the true value came while engaging in a thorough audit and working alongside dedicated colleagues during the process."
Greenhills previously received an Exemplary Athletic Program Award in 2017 from the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA).
PHOTO The Ann Arbor Greenhills girls tennis team celebrates its Lower Peninsula Division 4 championship won last month. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)