Classes Still Create Hoosier Hysteria
July 27, 2017
By Rob Kaminski
MHSAA benchmarks editor
This is the fourth part in a series on MHSAA tournament classification, past and present, that will be published over the next two weeks. This series originally ran in this spring's edition of MHSAA benchmarks.
Twenty years ago, Bloomington North High School won the Indiana High School Athletic Association boys basketball championship, defeating Delta 75-54 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
The date, March 22, 1997, is at the same time revered and disdained by traditionalists in the state who saw it as the last schoolboy championship game the state would ever host.
That’s how devout the game of basketball, particularly interscholastic basketball, had become in the Hoosier state during the 87 years a state champion – one state champion, to be precise – was crowned.
Following that 1997 season, the IHSAA moved to a four-class system for its roundball tournaments, like so many of its state association counterparts had done years earlier.
It would be shocking to find more than a small percentage of current high school basketball players around the country unfamiliar with the iconic movie Hoosiers, even though the film is now more than 30 years old.
And, the storyline for that blockbuster unfolded more than 30 years prior to its release, when small-town, undermanned Milan High School defeated Muncie Central High School 32-30 in the 1954 IHSAA title game.
Perhaps it’s because of the David vs Goliath notion, or the fame of the movie that replaced Milan with the fictional Hickory and real-life star Bobby Plump with Hollywood hero Jimmy Chitwood, or the simple fact that Indiana had something other states didn’t.
Whatever the reason, plenty of opposition remains to this day to basketball classification in the state.
The fact is, the small rural schools were regularly being beaten handily by the much larger suburban and city schools as the tournament progressed each season.
Small schools also were closing at a rapid rate following the state’s School Reorganization Act in 1959, as students converged on larger, centralized county schools. From 1960 to 2000, the number of schools entering the tournament dropped from 694 to 381, and in 1997 a total of 382 schools and 4,584 athletes began competition at the Sectional level (the first level of the IHSAA Basketball Tournament).
It was at the entry level of the tournament where school administrators felt the pain of the new class system, but not necessarily for the same nostalgic reasons as the fans who either attended or boycotted the tournament.
At the Sectional round of the tournament, the IHSAA was culling just 2 percent of the revenue, with the participating schools splitting the balance. So, when Sectional attendance dropped by 14 percent in that first year of class basketball, many schools realized a financial loss. It was money they had grown to count on in prior years to help fund various aspects of the department.
Schools cumulatively received more than $900,000 from Sectional competition in 1998, but that total was down from more than $1 million in the last year of the single-class tournament.
Yet, the current format provides a great deal more opportunity and realistic chances at championship runs for schools of all enrollments.
To date, 60 additional teams have championship or runner-up trophies on display in school trophy cases around Indiana.
That was the mission in front of then-IHSAA commissioner Bob Gardner (now National Federation executive director) once the board made its decision: to give thousands more student-athletes the opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
As any statistician knows, figures can be manipulated to tell any side of a story. Declining attendance in year one of class basketball is such a number.
The truth is tournament attendance had been on a steady downward spiral since its peak of just over 1.5 million in 1962. By the last single-class event in 1997, the total attendance was half that.
The challenge then and today, as it is for all state associations, is to find that delicate balance for those holding onto tradition, those holding onto trophies, and the number of trophies to hand out.
Editor’s Note: Stories from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in 1998 and from a 2007 issue of Indianapolis Monthly provided facts in this article.
Watch NFHS Network on Roku
September 14, 2020
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
The excitement of high school sports hits living rooms this fall as the NFHS Network has released a Roku channel, joining the availability of games on computers and handheld devices.
Once on the Roku channel, typing “Michigan” into the search box will display lists of live, on-demand and upcoming events involving MHSAA member schools. You can also bookmark your favorite schools.
Nearly 600 events fill the coming week’s schedule for the NFHS Network and MHSAA.tv, as football joins the boys soccer and girls volleyball activity.
More games than ever before will be available online beginning this season, with approximately 270 MHSAA member schools taking part in the School Broadcast Program with Pixellot units being installed at their athletic facilities or with student crews producing games using a traditional format.
Pixellot is the NFHS Network’s automated production solution. Nearly 500 Pixellot units are already installed or about to be installed in high school stadiums and gymnasiums around the state. The NFHS Network has been offering schools up to two free Pixellot units since early July – with the schools only needing to cover the installation costs.
Additionally, MHSAA regulations regarding live video broadcasts and streaming have been relaxed during the pandemic to allow schools to use their choice of means to distribute games to fans who are unable to attend because of government-imposed spectator limits. Third-party broadcasters – like local television stations and cable television outlets – are also allowed to originate games live.
In the coming week, nearly 275 events will be available on the NFHS Network/MHSAA.tv. Monthly subscriptions are $10.99. Click for a complete list of upcoming games and for a complete list of on-demand games.
Fans can also type their school name into the search field on the MHSAA.tv page to search for events. Here is a list of varsity sports events being broadcast over the coming week:
Football (Home team listed first):
Thursday - Sept. 17
White Lake Lakeland vs. Walled Lake Northern - 7 PM
Friday - Sept. 18
Lowell vs. East Grand Rapids - 6:50 PM
Petoskey vs. Gaylord - 7 PM
Saline vs. Ypsilanti Community - 7 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Portage Northern - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Flint Carman-Ainsworth - 7 PM
Brighton vs. Novi - 7 PM
Ithaca vs. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central - 7 PM
Macomb L'Anse Creuse North vs. Detroit Country Day - 7 PM
Marquette vs. Gladstone - 7 PM
Fowlerville vs. Williamston - 7 PM
Calumet vs. Kingsford - 7 PM
Portage Central vs. East Lansing - 7 PM
Riverview Gabriel Richard Catholic vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett - 7 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Port Huron Northern - 7 PM
Plainwell vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - 7 PM
Clare vs. Detroit University Prep - 7 PM
Bad Axe vs. Sandusky - 7 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 7 PM
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Harper Woods - 7 PM
Manchester vs. Addison - 7 PM
Saginaw Heritage vs. Detroit U Of D Jesuit - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Warren Lincoln - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Frankenmuth - 7 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Brethren - 7 PM
Mayville vs. Atherton - 7 PM
Cadillac vs. Alpena - 7 PM
East Kentwood vs. Hudsonville - 7 PM
Lake Orion vs. Oxford - 7 PM
Rockford vs. Jenison - 7 PM
New Lothrop vs. Mt. Morris - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Sault Ste. Marie - 1 PM
Boys Soccer (Home team listed first):
Tuesday - Sept. 15
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Battle Creek Central - 6:30 PM
Petoskey vs. Cadillac - 6:45 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Cedar Springs - 6:45 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s - 7 PM
Clare vs. Plymouth - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Birmingham Brother Rice - 7:30 PM
Wednesday - Sept. 16
Plainwell vs. Vicksburg - 6 PM
Clare vs. Gladwin - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Chesaning - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Marysville - 7 PM
Hemlock vs. Midland Bullock Creek - 7 PM
Thursday - Sept. 17
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. TBA - 6 PM
Petoskey vs. Traverse City Central - 6:45 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Grand Rapids South Christian - 6:45 PM
Brighton vs. Salem - 7 PM
Novi vs. Hartland - 7 PM
South Lyon East vs. Milford - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. White Lake Lakeland - 7 PM
Troy vs. Bloomfield Hills - 7 PM
Hemlock vs. Pinconning - 7 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood - 7 PM
East Kentwood vs. Rockford - 7:15 PM
Friday - Sept. 18
South Lyon East vs. North Farmington - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Vicksburg vs. Coloma - 10 AM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Holly - 11:30 AM
Brighton vs. Birmingham Brother Rice - 12 PM
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Fenton - 12:30 PM
Novi vs. Howell - 1PM
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. Romeo - 1PM
Monday - Sept. 21
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley - 6PM
White Lake Lakeland vs. South Lyon East - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Alma - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. Walled Lake Western - 7 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill - 7 PM
Tuesday - Sept. 22
East Grand Rapids vs. Grand Rapids Northview - 6:45 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern - 6:45 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Bloomfield Hills - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. Auburn Hills Avondale - 7 PM
South Lyon East vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
Howell vs. Novi - 7 PM
Clare vs. Taylor Prep - 7 PM
Troy Athens vs. Troy - 7 PM
East Kentwood vs. Grandville - 7:15 PM
Girls Volleyball (Home team listed first):
Tuesday - Sept. 15
East Grand Rapids vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern - 6 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Marine City - 6 PM
Peck vs. Bay City All Saints - 6 PM
Kinde-North Huron vs. Kingston - 6 PM
Williamston vs. Eaton Rapids - 6 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Dearborn Henry Ford Academy - 6 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6 PM
Wayland Union vs. Lansing Catholic - 6 PM
Mayville vs. Akron-Fairgrove - 6 PM
Chesaning vs. Durand - 6:15 PM
Lowell vs. Grand Rapids Christian - 6:15 PM
Gladstone vs. Ishpeming - 6:30 PM
Westland Huron Valley Lutheran vs. Bloomfield Hills Roeper - 6:30 PM
Northville vs. Canton - 6:30 PM
Painesdale Jeffers vs. Dollar Bay - 6:30 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Flint Powers Catholic - 6:30 PM
Negaunee vs. Escanaba - 6:30 PM
Novi vs. Hartland - 6:30 PM
Brighton vs. Salem - 6:30 PM
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian vs. Away - 6:30 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Ubly - 6:45 PM
Calumet vs. Hancock - 6:45 PM
Marquette vs. Wakefield-Marenisco - 7 PM
Big Rapids vs. Newaygo - 7 PM
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Clarenceville - 7 PM
Bear Lake vs. Mason County Eastern - 7 PM
Cass City vs. Vassar - 7:30 PM
Wednesday - Sept. 16
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Kalamazoo Central - 6:30 PM
Niles vs. South Haven - 6:30 PM
Waterford Our Lady vs. Allen Park Cabrini - 7 PM
Frankenmuth vs. Bay City John Glenn - 7 PM
Bridgeport vs. Freeland - 7 PM
Riverview Gabriel Richard Catholic vs. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic - 7 PM
Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard - 7:15 PM
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Farmington Hills Mercy - 7:15 PM
Thursday - Sept. 17
Ovid-Elsie vs. Carrollton - 4:30 PM
Manchester vs. TBA - 5 PM
Zeeland West vs. Grand Rapids Union - 5 PM
Big Rapids vs. Whitehall & Ludington - 5 PM
Flushing vs. Holly - 5:15 PM
Flint Kearsley vs. Fenton - 5:15 PM
St Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Roseville - 6 PM
Wayland Union vs. Cedar Springs - 6 PM
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Grand Rapids Northview - 6 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 6 PM
Kinde North Huron vs. Bay City All Saints - 6 PM
East Grand Rapids vs. Byron Center - 6 PM
St Johns vs. Eaton Rapids - 6 PM
Peck vs. Dryden - 6 PM
Lowell vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central - 6:15 PM
Westland Huron Valley Lutheran vs. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist - 6:30 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Benzie Central - 6:30 PM
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Parchment - 6:30 PM
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Constantine - 6:30 PM
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian vs. Roeper - 6:30 PM
Painesdale Jeffers vs. Chassell - 6:30 PM
East Kentwood vs. Grand Haven - 7 PM
Troy vs. Auburn Hills Avondale - 7 PM
Brethren vs. Pentwater - 7 PM
West Bloomfield vs. Rochester Adams - 7 PM
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Southfield Christian - 7 PM
Grandville vs. Rockford - 7 PM
Escanaba vs. Manistique - 7 PM
Maple City Glen Lake vs. Leland - 7 PM
Warren Regina vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley - 7:15 PM
Bad Axe vs. Reese - 7:30 PM
Caro vs. Vassar - 7:30 PM
Lake Orion vs. Oxford - 7:30 PM
Friday - Sept. 18
Pentwater vs. Cadillac Heritage Christian - 5:30 PM
Dollar Bay vs. Hancock - 6:20 PM
Rochester Hills Lutheran North vs. Allen Park Cabrini - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Waterford Our Lady vs. TBA - 8:15 AM
Cadillac vs. Lakewood Lake Odessa - 8:30 AM
Frankenmuth vs. Tawas Area - 8:30 AM
Flushing vs. Davison - 8:30 AM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. TBA - 10 AM
Monday - Sept. 21
Multi-team Event @ Saginaw Swan Valley - 5 PM
Williamston vs. Lansing Eastern - 6 PM
Ann Arbor Greenhills vs. Detroit Cristo Rey - 6 PM
Mason vs. Williamston - 6 PM
Frankenmuth vs. Millington - 7 PM
Harrison vs. Shepherd - 7:30 PM
Clare vs. Beaverton - 7:30 PM
Tuesday - Sept. 22
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Hazel Park - 6 PM
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Cedar Springs - 6 PM
Holt vs. DeWitt - 6 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Detroit Community - 6 PM
Stockbridge vs. Lakewood Lake Odessa - 6:15 PM
New Lothrop vs. Montrose - 6:15 PM
Ovid-Elsie vs. Byron Center Charter - 6:15 PM
Otisville LakeVille vs. Durand - 6:15 PM
Chesaning vs. Mt Morris - 6:15 PM
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Parchment - 6:30 PM
Brighton vs. Novi - 6:30 PM
Riverview Gabriel Richard Catholic vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate - 6:30 PM
Frankfort vs. Onekama - 6:30 PM
Flint Powers Catholic vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill - 6:30 PM
South Lyon vs. Waterford Kettering - 6:30 PM
Bloomfield Hills Roeper vs. Whitmore Lake - 6:30 PM
Petoskey vs. Alpena - 6:30 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Maple City Glen Lake - 6:30 PM
Oakland Christian vs. Plymouth Christian Academy - 6:30 PM
Howell vs. Northville - 6:30 PM
Manistique vs. Ishpeming - 6:30 PM
South Lyon East vs. Lakeland - 6:30 PM
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Delton Kellogg - 6:30 PM
Cadillac vs. Traverse City West - 7 PM
Bear Lake vs. Walkerville - 7 PM
Hart vs. Montague - 7 PM
Saline vs. Ypsilanti Community - 7 PM
Escanaba vs. Gladstone - 7 PM
Troy Athens vs. North Farmington - 7 PM
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills - 7 PM
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Warren Regina - 7 PM
Marcellus vs. Mendon - 7 PM
St Charles vs. Coleman - 7 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Brighton Charyl Stockwell Preparatory Academy - 7:30 PM
Lake Orion vs. Birmingham Seaholm - 7:30 PM
Now in its 12th year, the School Broadcast Program gives members an opportunity to showcase excellence in their schools by creating video programming of athletic and non-athletic events with students gaining skills in announcing, camera operation, directing/producing and graphics. Pixellot – The NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution – is used by schools wishing to live stream games, but lacking the ability to staff the events. The program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 a month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. All content becomes available for free, on-demand viewing 72 hours after being shown live. A portion of every subscription sold by an SBP school goes to benefit its program.
A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.