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:
Today in the MHSAA: 9/16/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 16, 2026
1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Jenna Middleton became the 34th player in MHSAA history to reach 2,000 career kills during Division 2 No. 4 Kingsley’s sweep of Grayling – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. BOYS SOCCER A last-minute goal resulted in a 1-1 draw between Division 1 top-ranked Troy and No. 10 Troy Athens – Oakland Press
3. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Maddy Kozuch reached 1,000 career digs in Division 3 No. 9 Morley Stanwood’s sweep of Grand Rapids Sacred Heart – Big Rapids News
4. GIRLS GOLF Frankenmuth – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – and Freeland senior Alexis Heinz were champions at the Saginaw County Invitational – Saginaw News
5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 8 Macomb Lutheran North continued its impressive stretch with a 3-1 win over honorable mention Richmond – Macomb Daily
6. CROSS COUNTRY The Freeland girls and LPD2 No. 7 Alma boys were first in the Tri-Valley Conference Red opener – Saginaw News
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 4 Elk Rapids moved to 10-1-3 with a 3-0 win over Charlevoix – Up North Live
8. CROSS COUNTRY Lake City’s LPD3 No. 6-ranked girls and McBain’s boys won the first Highland Conference jamborees – Cadillac News
9. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Gladstone struck first but Ishpeming came back to win in five sets – Upper Michigan’s Source
10. BOYS SOCCER Birmingham Groves went on the road to defeat Royal Oak 4-0 – Oakland Press