Athletic Directors Deliver
June 27, 2013
By John E. “Jack” Roberts
MHSAA Executive Director
During the past year I have had some interesting speaking engagements that took me to some other states and even to a far-away nation; but the two speaking assignments I have every year that I look forward to the most and work on the hardest are here in Michigan – at the large mid-winter conference and smaller mid-summer workshop for athletic directors.
After more than a quarter century of these two-a-year addresses, I wouldn’t be surprised if the audience is tiring of listening to me; but I have not tired of preparing to do my best for them ... which is a function of my great respect for them.
Athletic directors serve school sports where the rubber meets the road; and the road is routinely rough.
Athletic directors operate where policy and people meet – in fact, where they often collide.
Athletic directors are called on to administer rules and apply penalties. They are expected to enforce codes of conduct and the consequences for violations.
Athletic directors are told they must uphold standards – attendance, academic, behavioral. And when they do what they’ve been asked to do, and sometimes have done at great cost personally, athletic directors are subjected to criticism by students and parents and, too frequently, receive less than full backing by their superiors and school boards.
Because I know this, I am humbled to be in their company, much less allowed to address them.
On just such an occasion, March 16, 2008, this is how I described my role, and my great respect for the interscholastic athletic administrators of this state:
“Sometimes after I hear a song over and over, and I begin to really listen to the words, I might write those words down. Especially if it’s a song by Springsteen or John Fogerty or Jackson Browne.
“But after I do this, and I read the words on paper or even recite the words aloud, I’m always disappointed. The words, without the music, lose something. The lyrics are neither as moving nor as powerful without the melody.
“On occasion I have been complimented for my words about educational athletics, but I’ve come to appreciate that without the music, my words don’t work. And I’ve come to appreciate that you folks provide the music.
“Sometimes I may be the words of school sports in Michigan, but all the time you are the music of school sports in Michigan. You make the words meaningful, you make the words memorable, you make the words powerful, you make the words really happen. I don’t, and I get that."
During the summer, Second Half will publish a series of features describing how athletic directors deliver daily all over the state. Among those who will be featured are pictured above, clockwise from top left: Detroit Cass Tech's Edward Tomlin, Cedar Springs' Autumn Mattson, Croswell-Lexington's Rick Jakacki and Houghton Lake's Maureen Whidden.
Title IX at 50: WISL Award Honors Builders of State's Girls Sports Tradition
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 1, 2022
Michigan’s school sports history is filled with women who and have and continue to take on giant roles to advance girls athletics and the opportunities and benefits they provide.
Since 1990, the MHSAA has celebrated pioneers, advocates, voices and leaders with the Women In Sports Leadership Award.
From L’Anse’s Carol Seavoy in 1990 through St. Ignace’s Dorene Ingalls in 2021, 34 women have received the WISL Award, which most recently has been presented either during the biennial WISL Conference in Lansing or during the Girls Basketball Finals at Michigan State’s Breslin Center.
The 35th WISL Award winner will be announced in coming weeks.
Below is the list of the first 34 honorees:
1990 – Carol Seavoy, L’Anse
1991 – Diane Laffey, Harper Woods
1992 – Patricia Ashby, Scotts
1993 – Jo Lake, Grosse Pointe
1994 – Brenda Gatlin, Detroit
1995 – Jane Bennett, Ann Arbor
1996 – Cheryl Amos-Helmicki, Huntington Woods
1997 – Delores L. Elswick, Detroit
1998 – Karen S. Leinaar, Delton
1999 – Kathy McGee, Flint
2000 – Pat Richardson, Grass Lake
2001 – Suzanne Martin, East Lansing
2002 – Susan Barthold, Kentwood
2003 – Nancy Clark, Flint
2004 – Kathy Vruggink Westdorp, Grand Rapids
2005 – Barbara Redding, Capac
2006 – Melanie Miller, Lansing
2007 – Jan Sander, Warren Woods
2008 – Jane Bos, Grand Rapids
2009 – Gail Ganakas, Flint; Deb VanKuiken, Holly
2010 – Gina Mazzolini, Lansing
2011 – Ellen Pugh, West Branch; Patti Tibaldi, Traverse City
2012 – Janet Gillette, Comstock Park
2013 – Barbara Beckett, Traverse City
2014 – Teri Reyburn, DeWitt
2015 – Jean LaClair, Bronson
2016 – Betty Wroubel, Pontiac
2017 – Dottie Davis, Ann Arbor
2018 – Meg Seng, Ann Arbor
2019 – Kris Isom, Adrian
2020 – Nikki Norris, East Lansing
2021 – Dorene Ingalls, St. Ignace
Second Half's weekly Title IX Celebration posts are sponsored by Michigan Army National Guard.
Previous Title IX at 50 Spotlights
Jan. 18: Decades Later, Edwards' Legend Continues to Grow - Read
Jan. 18: Iron Mountain Completes Championship Climb - Read
Jan. 11: Harrold's Achievement Heralds Growth of Girls Wrestling - Read
Dec. 20: Competitive Cheer Gives Michigan Plenty to Cheer About - Read
Dec. 14: Evelyn's Game Had Plenty of Magic - Read
Dec. 7: Council Term Ends, But Leinaar Leaves Lasting Impact - Read
Nov. 30: Basketball Season Ready to Add to Rich Tradition - Read
Nov. 23: Marysville Builds Winning Streak Yet to be Challenged - Read
Nov. 16: Wroubel Has Championed Girls School Sports from Their Start - Read
Nov. 9: Pioneer's Joyce Legendary in Michigan, National Swim History - Read
Nov. 2: Royal Oak's Finch Leading Way on Football Field - Read
Oct. 26: Coach Clegg Sets Championship Standard at Grand Blanc - Read
Oct. 19: Rockford Girls Set Pace, Hundreds After Have Continued to Chase - Read
Oct. 12: Bedford Volleyball Pioneer Continues Blazing Record-Setting Trail - Read
Oct. 5: Warner Paved Way to Legend Status with Record Rounds - Read
Sept. 28: Taylor Kennedy Gymnasts Earn Fame as 1st Champions - Read
Sept. 21: Portage Northern Star Byington Becomes Play-by-Play Pioneer - Read
Sept. 14: Guerra/Groat Legacy Continues to Serve St. Philip Well - Read
Sept. 7: Best-Ever Conversation Must Include Leland's Glass - Read
Aug. 31: We Will Celebrate Many Who Paved the Way - Read
PHOTO Brenda Gatlin accepts the 1994 WISL Award from former MHSAA Representative Council president Brian Callaghan. (MHSAA file photo.)