Howell Puts Heart Into Memorial Meet
August 29, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
An online tribute to Mackenzie Watts describes how she “made the people and world around her better.”
The Howell swimming and diving community continues to work so that her memory makes those who come after her safer as well.
Watts died in 2005 after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia. She was a 15-year-old sophomore and key cog on her high school team.
This past weekend, for the sixth straight season, the Highlanders hosted the Kenzie Classic, an invitational that served as a fundraiser for the Howell program and annual Mackenzie Watts scholarship – plus served to promote heart screenings by local National Diagnostic Services in their “HeartMobile” parked outside the pool.
NDS, which also has held screening events at Northville, Canton and Middleville Thornapple Kellogg schools among others, screened 20 students during this Kenzie Classic, said Wellness Director Heidi Enders.
Tests are ultrasound-based and non-invasive, and include an EKG to examine the heart’s electrical system for arrhythmias and an echocardiogram to examine the heart’s structure in case there is a thickening of the muscle (known as hyperthrophic cardiomyopathy). Adults were charged $199 and students $75, with discounted rates for adults in groups and children.
Click to check out coverage of the event from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.
Records Revamp
While tracking down 660 football schedules (give or take a few) took up most of the summer, there still was time for a few additions to the MHSAA record book – with more to come.
Track and field fans will notice records from retired yardage events (pre-1982 or earlier depending on the MHSAA class) have been added to the online records here for boys and here for girls.
Cross country fans should check out our lists of top MHSAA Finals times for every division and every class, plus overall top 10 lists for both boys and girls since the race was set to five kilometers in 1980. Click here for girls and here for boys.
Also added or updated were team championship counts for both cross countries, volleyball and girls golf. Click to check out girls golf here and volleyball here.
Fond Football Memories
It has been 30 years since former Genesee all-state running back Don Robinson became the fourth player in Genesee County history to run for more than 300 yards in one game – which he did in gaining 317 on Sept. 23, 1983.
High school football and those memories remain close to his heart even after going on to play at Eastern Michigan University, a stint in the U.S. Navy and a move to Georgia.
He’s paid attention over the years as that “300 club” has grown to 22 players including current New Orleans Saints back Mark Ingram, Jr., and the University of Michigan’s Thomas Rawls.
He’s also a regular reader of Second Half, and asked to send along some words of wisdom to those who will be taking the field to begin the season this weekend:
“When you run out onto the field this season, do me a favor. At least once, pause.
“Look around you. Look at the lights in the sky. See the faces of those that have come to see you play. Listen to the band and the cheerleaders. Look into the eyes of your teammates ...
“Take it all in. When you’re older and miss this amazing game that you are playing, you’ll be glad you did.”
PHOTOS: (Top) A swimmer takes the lead during a race at Saturday's Kenzie Klassic at Howell High School. (Photo courtesy of Howell High School.) (Middle) Genesee graduate Don Robinson runs the ball during the 1983 season. (Photo courtesy of Don Robinson.)
Century of School Sports: Student Advisory Council Gives Voice to Athletes
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 15, 2025
The Michigan High School Athletic Association, since its inception in December 1924, has sought to reflect the desires of its membership – at this time, 754 high schools and more than 750 middle schools – and for most of its history carried out that mission by acting on the ideas and concerns of administrators, coaches and game officials.
With the start of the 2006-07 school year, another constituency began supplying its voice to the MHSAA’s decision-making process.
That fall, the first Student Advisory Council began its tenure, made up of eight juniors – four girls and four boys – with those first eight setting the tone for 144 students total who have served over the last 18 years.
The Student Advisory Council, in essence, is that student voice that not only weighs in on topics regarding school sports that are being debated among MHSAA member schools, but also speaks to the benefits of school sports as ambassadors in their schools, leagues and across the state.
The SAC meets six times during the school year, plus once more for a 24-hour leadership camp, and discusses subjects connected with the core values of the MHSAA and educational athletics – scholarship, sportsmanship, safety and a sensible scope of athletic programs, with student leadership also a common topic. SAC members then promote those values through their assistance in the MHSAA’s annual Sportsmanship Summits, various leadership projects, and social media posts and videos.
Over the years, the Student Advisory Council has written two versions of the "MHSAA Captains 101" booklet which was delivered to every school in the state. Members have been featured in two versions of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Captains Course, and the group has advised on changes to MHSAA trophies and medals and gear sold at Finals events.
SAC members also assist with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events and take on other projects throughout the school year; for example, the Student Advisory Council coordinated and judged the MHSAA’s Battle of the Fans student section contest during its 10-year run that ended in 2022, and this school year created the below statement on sportsmanship to be used during MHSAA broadcasts and live events.
The Student Advisory Council was the creation of MHSAA Assistant Director Andy Frushour and based at first on a similar program hosted by the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
The first Council included then-juniors Andria Baker of Constantine, Dustin Baker of St. Louis, Bryce Bilinski of Southgate Anderson, Brittany Bullock of Lansing Catholic, Rachel Gebauer of Alpena, Eric Howard of Hudsonville Freedom Christian, Blake Laethem of Caro and Molly Waterhouse of Vicksburg. Joining them in Year 2 were juniors Abby Cohen of Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Willie Cruz of Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, Michelle DeMuro of Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, Adam Dingman of Cedarville, Matt Herman of East Kentwood, Molley Lockwood of Fife Lake Forest Area, Jeff Petsch of Montague and CC Weber of Goodrich.
Including that group, there have been representatives from 136 schools – nearly 20 percent of the MHSAA’s high school membership.
Applications are being accepted through April 21 from candidates for the Class of 2027 – with those students, as juniors, to serve as part of the 20th Student Advisory Council. Click here for the application. Selections are made through a multi-part process that includes initial consideration of applicants by members of the MHSAA’s brand and student services team and then interviews with finalists.
The current Student Advisory Council includes seniors Cale Bell from Sault Ste. Marie, Drew Cady from Oxford, Macy Jenkins from Milford, Isaiah Kabban from Harbor Beach, Ella Knudsen from Leland, Kaylee Kranz from Clinton, Joey Spada from Kalamazoo Central, and Aynalem Zoet from Grandville Calvin Christian; and juniors Itzel Albarran from Bronson, Harper Barnhart from Brownstown Woodhaven, Diamond Cook from Southfield Christian, Henry Ewles from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Cole Haist from Big Rapids, Frannie Keeley from Jenison, Trey LaValley from Romeo, and Ethan Stine from Bridgman.
Previous "Century of School Sports" Spotlights
April 9: State's Storytellers Share Spring Memories - Read
April 2: Sharp Leadership Synonymous with MHSAA Success - Read
March 25: Athletic Directors Indispensable to Mission of School Sports - Read
March 18: 2025 Finals Begin Next Half-Century of Girls Hoops Championships - Read
March 11: Boys Basketball's Best 1st to Earn MHSAA Finals Titles - Read
March 5: Everything We Do Begins with Participation - Read
Feb. 25: Slogans & Logos Remain Unforgettable Parts of MHSAA History - Read
Feb. 19: MHSAA Tickets Continue to Provide Fan-Friendly Value - Read
Feb. 11: We Recognize Those Who Make Our Games Go - Read
Feb. 4: WISL Conference Continues to Inspire Aspiring Leaders - Read
Jan. 28: Michigan's National Impact Begins at NFHS' Start - Read
Jan. 21: Awards Celebrate Well-Rounded Educational Experience - Read
Jan. 14: Predecessors Laid Foundation for MHSAA's Formation - Read
Jan. 9: MHSAA Blazes Trail Into Cyberspace - Read
Dec. 31: State's Storytellers Share Winter Memories - Read
Dec. 17: MHSAA Over Time - Read
Dec. 10: On This Day, December 13, We Will Celebrate - Read
Dec. 3: MHSAA Work Guided by Representative Council - Read
Nov. 26: Finals Provide Future Pros Early Ford Field Glory - Read
Nov. 19: Connection at Heart of Coaches Advancement Program - Read
Nov. 12: Good Sports are Winners Then, Now & Always - Read
Nov. 5: MHSAA's Home Sweet Home - Read
Oct. 29: MHSAA Summits Draw Thousands to Promote Sportsmanship - Read
Oct. 23: Cross Country Finals Among MHSAA's Longest Running - Read
Oct. 15: State's Storytellers Share Fall Memories - Read
Oct. 8: Guided by 4 S's of Educational Athletics - Read
Oct. 1: Michigan Sends 10 to National Hall of Fame - Read
Sept. 25: MHSAA Record Books Filled with 1000s of Achievements - Read
Sept. 18: Why Does the MHSAA Have These Rules? - Read
Sept. 10: Special Medals, Patches to Commemorate Special Year - Read
Sept. 4: Fall to Finish with 50th Football Championships - Read
Aug. 28: Let the Celebration Begin - Read
PHOTOS Student Advisory Council members over the years participate in challenges during an overnight camp, hand out championship trophies, take photos together at MHSAA leadership events, and take a few minutes for a dance-off during a monthly meeting.