Kermit's Baton (Birmingham Eccentric)

March 6, 2012

Michigan's track and cross country community mourned the loss two weeks ago of former Birmingham Seaholm coach Kermit Ambrose, who died after a full 101 years including many putting a heavy stamp on the high school running scene.

Of course, Ambrose's influence stretched far outside high school as well. Marty Budner fills us in on the details in the story linked below, and then paints a fabulous picture of a former coach who affected thousands during more than a century.

It's not only the wins and losses — of which Kermit had many more of the former, but it's also the relationships developed and lessons learned. Many coaches will tell you the best part of their job is helping to teach life lessons and striving to make an impact along the way.

Kermit Ambrose was that kind of teacher.

Read more:

Ambrose: Friend, mentor to all

Ambrose makes an awesome run through life (column)

Today in the MHSAA: 1/8/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 8, 2025

1. BOYS BASKETBALL Gary Barns became the Flint area’s winningest coach in his sport with 519 as Goodrich downed Ortonville Brandon – WJRT

2. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Holland Christian – No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – defeated Holland West Ottawa in a dual for the first time since 1999, 101-85 – Holland Sentinel

3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Tara Kurncz reached 1,000 career points during DeWitt’s 61-44 win over East Lansing – Lansing State Journal

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Centreville’s Matthew Swanwick and Marcellus Howardsville Christian’s John Paul Rose both reached 1,000 career points in their teams’ respective wins – Kalamazoo Gazette

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Okemos delivered coach Jeff Wonch’s 300th win with a 72-51 victory over Holt – WILX

6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Leland won a matchup of undefeated teams 46-36 over Onekama – Up North Live

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids Northview’s Brady Swartz scored a school-record 50 points during a 93-69 win over Wyoming – Grand Rapids Press

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Muskegon remained undefeated with a 63-56 win over Hudsonville – Local Sports Journal

9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Paw Paw followed AJ Rickli to a 71-61 win over Kalamazoo Christian – Kalamazoo Gazette

10. HOCKEY Cormac Young scored his first career goal to pull Romeo past Utica/Fraser 4-3 – Macomb Daily