Bush Honorees' Impacts Can't Be Missed
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 24, 2019
Detroit’s Vic Michaels, Novi’s Brian Gordon, Bronson’s Jean LaClair and Portland’s Kevin Veale all have impacted high school students as teachers, coaches and administrators over decades in their respectively communities. To honor their often unsung work in creating athletic opportunities, all four have been named recipients of the MHSAA’s Allen W. Bush Award for 2019.
Al Bush served as executive director of the MHSAA for 10 years. The award honors individuals for past and continuing service to prep athletics as a coach, administrator, official, trainer, doctor or member of the media. The award was developed to bring recognition to men and women who are giving and serving without a lot of attention. This is the 28th year of the award, with selections made by the MHSAA's Representative Council.
“The Bush Award was created to recognize the frequent behind-the-scenes efforts that go into creating worthwhile experiences for Michigan high school athletes. But it’s impossible to not see the impacts this year’s honorees have made in their communities,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “We are pleased to honor them and celebrate their work in promoting educational athletics and all of its benefits.”
Michaels, who has served as director of the Detroit Catholic High School League since 2003, is the longest-serving director in Catholic League history and one of only seven directors since its formation in 1926. He came to the Archdiocese of Detroit league office as associate director in 1995 after serving as athletic director, assistant principal, teacher and coach at Center Line St. Clement since 1978. He coached St. Clement’s boys basketball varsity from 1978-95 and the girls varsity from 1980-85 and earned Coach of the Year recognition leading both programs.
As director of the Catholic League, Michaels oversees all aspects of competition for 27 schools across 30 sports, in addition to the Catholic Schools Office of Health, Athletics, Physical Education and Safety. While his local imprint is large, he provides expertise at the statewide level as well. Michaels has represented non-public schools on the MHSAA Representative Council since 2003 and serves as the Council’s secretary-treasurer and as part of its Executive Committee. He served as president of the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) in 2008 and also has held roles of vice president, secretary and board member. He’s served as coordinator for the Southeast Michigan Leagues Advisory Council (SEMLAC) and on various MHSAA sport and officials selection committees.
Michaels was named statewide Athletic Director of the Year by the MIAAA and received a regional award from the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) in 2010 after previously being chosen for MIAAA regional recognition in 2001. While at St. Clement, Michaels was named Catholic League Athletic Director of the Year in 1988 and inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame in 1990. Michaels graduated from Detroit St. Ambrose High School, then attended Detroit Institute of Technology and finished his bachelor’s degree at University of Detroit Mercy. He earned his certified athletic administrator (CAA) designation from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
“Vic Michaels is as good a leader as we have in high school sports in our state,” Uyl said. “While he represents the private and parochial schools on the Representative Council, he works with everybody and sees the big picture – but also can get to a granular level with our rules, which he knows inside and out. He is one of the most insightful voices in Michigan educational athletics.”
Gordon is completing his third decade in education, have begun as a physical education and health teacher for Royal Oak Schools in 1990. He moved into the athletic director/assistant principal role in 2010 and then became director of athletic and physical education at Novi High School in 2012. He’s taught at the elementary and middle school levels, and supervised physical education and served as a health advisory chairperson at the district level. Including a season while still a college student, he also has coached baseball, football, basketball and track & field from the junior high to varsity levels, including a stint as Royal Oak Kimball and Royal Oak High varsity baseball coach from 1995-2010. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011.
At Novi, Gordon oversees the athletic program for more than 1,700 students in grades 7-12, plus more than 140 coaches. He has made Novi a home for playoff events, hosting more than 150 league and MHSAA tournament competitions at all levels including Boys Tennis and Girls Lacrosse Finals this spring and the 115-team Oakland County Track Meet multiple times. Under his leadership, Novi has hosted multiple levels of the MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program (CAP), and he has served on a variety of sport, officials and site selection committees for the Association in addition to local committee work. He also is a major promoter of Special Olympics Unified Sports in his community and league, hosting his conference’s first basketball tournament this past winter.
Gordon was named Oakland County Athletic Director of the Year for this school year by the Oakland County Athletic Directors Association, and he served as the OCADA president in 2014-15 and on its board from 2010-16. He’s served as vice president of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and president of the Kensington Conference since 2012. Gordon has been a member of the MIAAA since 2008 and NIAAA since 2010, and was named a Regional Athletic Director of the Year by the MIAAA in 2018. He graduated from Clawson High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University and master’s in sports administration and school leadership from Wayne State University. He also has achieved CAA status.
“Brian Gordon is one of the most positive people I’ve met in athletics,” Uyl said. “From his days coaching in Royal Oak to his move into an athletic director role, he’s always championed kids and school sports. He always sees what we do as a glass half full – and his willingness to host absolutely anything shows his continuing commitment to this work.”
LaClair is one of the most successful volleyball coaches in Michigan high school history, ranking fifth all-time for wins with a record of 1,180-361-96 at Midland Dow, Pinconning and most recently Bronson. She took over the Vikings’ program in the fall of 2000 and has led Bronson to five MHSAA championships, with its Division 3 title this past fall the varsity team’s fourth straight. She also led Pinconning to a Class B runner-up finish in 1997-98. LaClair has received various coaching honors and in 2017 was a finalist for the NHSACA’s national volleyball Coach of the Year award.
While best-known for her achievements on court, LaClair has served 24 years as a highly-respected athletic administrator and assistant principal at Bronson High School. She received the MHSAA Women In Sports Leadership Award in 2015 and previously had spoken at WISL conferences in 2006 and 2008. She has hosted a variety of MHSAA tournament events in addition to sitting on a number of MHSAA and MIAAA committees. She also has instructed at MHSAA CAP sessions and been a registered game official for 18 years. LaClair received the George Lovich State Award of Merit this year for her leadership and standing within the MIAAA and NIAAA. She also was named a Regional Athletic Director of the Year by the MIAAA in 2009.
In addition to the national coaching recognition mentioned above, LaClair was inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and has served as MIVCA’s president, vice president and on its board. She also was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017. LaClair is a graduate of Midland Dow High School and Saginaw Valley State University, and earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Central Michigan University. She has earned the Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) designation.
“As an athletic director, Jean is incredibly consistent,” Uyl said. “Her leadership as an athletic director is so effective because she knows what matters in school sports and she treats all programs the same, including the volleyball program. That isn’t always easy when an athletic director also is a coach, and that consistency is really impressive.”
Veale is completing his 19th year as Portland Public Schools athletic director after previously teaching and serving as the girls track & field coach and as a football assistant at the high school. He has initiated a variety of efforts during his two decades in the district, founding the high school’s coaches association, captains’ club and athletic Hall of Fame among sports-related endeavors. He also has served as a volunteer coach for local recreation teams and given his time to assist in various community events. But his influence has stretched as well to league, regional and statewide levels.
Veale has served in leadership roles in multiple leagues over his tenure, as executive secretary for the Ingham County League in 2001-02 and then president of the Capital Area Activities Conference in 2008-09. He’s hosted at Portland more than 100 MHSAA postseason events from the District-Quarterfinal levels, while also serving on multiple MHSAA committees including assisting in selection of MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award winners. He served as membership committee chairperson for the MIAAA in 2005-06 and has been part of its scholarship committee since 2008.
Veale graduated from Iron Mountain High School and earned bachelor and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University, the latter in athletic administration. He also has achieved CAA designation and was named an MIAAA Regional Athletic Director of the Year in 2010.
“Kevin has really become the face of Portland Raiders athletics after 19 years in that community,” Uyl said. “He brings a great deal of positivity and high energy to the job every day. His teams have had great success, and he’s another administrator who sees all programs being equally important.”
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.
2026 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class C & D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 3, 2026
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C and D member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.
Farm Bureau Insurance, in its 37th year of sponsoring the award, will give $2,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals who represent their member schools in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament. The first 30 scholarships are awarded proportionately by school classification and the number of student-athletes involved in those classes; also, there are two at-large honorees who can come from any classification.
Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.
The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized March 14 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Maya Carlson, Manistique; Hope Miller, Blissfield; Irelynn Pachulski, Saranac; Gavin Comero, Ishpeming Westwood; Drew Ruddy, Ottawa Lake Whiteford; and Ethan Stine, Bridgman.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are Caila Fitchett, Dryden; Madison Karakashian, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart; Jack Nelson, Ontonagon; and David Wahl, Gaylord St. Mary.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Maya Carlson, Manistique
Played three seasons of varsity volleyball, ran three of cross country, played two seasons of varsity basketball, one of golf, and is finishing her first season of swimming & diving. She also will compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring and has played travel ice hockey throughout high school. Finished among the top four at MHSAA Cross Country Finals twice and earned all-state and academic all-state in that sport. Earned all-region and academic all-state in volleyball and qualified for MHSAA Finals all of her first three seasons of track. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as treasurer, serving third year as student council president and first as student leadership vice president. Served on Youth Advisory Council and participated in YETI service club throughout high school and served as president of both. Will attend Trine University and major in exercise science.
Essay Quote: “I learned that being competitive and being a good sport aren’t opposites. In fact, they depend on each other. When you respect the game and the people playing it, your victories feel more accomplished, and your losses teach you more.”
Hope Miller, Blissfield
Ran four seasons of cross country, is playing her second of varsity basketball, and will compete in fourth of varsity track & field this spring; also played two seasons of varsity soccer. Earned all-state in cross country three times and set school record in that sport, earned all-state two seasons in track and set school records in two races, and earned all-league in soccer. Helped basketball team to league and District titles. Served as cross country team captain the last two seasons. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and as secretary, fourth on student council and as vice president, and third on Lenawee Youth Council. Founded and serving as editor of school newspaper. Participated in two years of debate and received top speaker awards. Is undecided where she will attend college but intends to study ecology or environmental sciences.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship allows for a community to be built around a shared love for the sport and a goal of improving oneself as much as possible. In order for athletes to reach their full potential they must be in an environment that supports their goals and their needs as well as encourages them to have fun with their sport.”
Irelynn Pachulski, Saranac
Played two seasons of varsity volleyball, is completing her second of varsity basketball, and will play her third season of varsity softball and compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring. Also played two seasons of junior varsity football, and participated on the sideline cheer team as a senior. Earned all-league recognition in volleyball, softball and track, also all-region in softball and qualified for the MHSAA Finals in track the last two seasons. Served as captain in volleyball and softball and served on hiring committees for varsity volleyball and softball coaches. Participated in Scouting throughout high school and attained Eagle Scout rank as a sophomore. Played in marching and concert bands throughout high school, serving as marching band drum major and percussion section leader. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and second on student council, as treasurer. Played lead roles in three drama productions. Will attend Montcalm Community College and study exercise science, then transfer to finish her studies in physical therapy.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship in high school athletics starts with strong leadership. When coaches set the pace, players follow. Where an intentional culture of good sportsmanship exists, you can try new things. You can be brave. You can learn.”
Gavin Comero, Ishpeming Westwood
Played two seasons of varsity football, is completing his fourth season of wrestling and will compete in his fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-state in track & field and all-conference in football and wrestling, and all-academic in wrestling as well. Served as team captain for football and wrestling. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third on student council. Played in concert/pep band throughout high school and competed with Business Professionals of America the last three years, earning state and national places in BPA and serving as president as a senior. Served as student council vice president as a freshman and sophomore and band council vice president this school year. Participated two years in Key Club and as part of local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, and served as volunteer youth wrestling coach throughout high school. Will attend University of Michigan and study business administration.
Essay Quote: “Throughout the season I learned the bigger picture of sportsmanship, playing with integrity at all times. No matter what that scoreboard read at the end each Friday night, we continued to play with 110-percent effort. We had every reason to be negative and start pouting, but we remained positive and persisted.”
Drew Ruddy, Ottawa Lake Whiteford
Played three seasons of varsity football, is playing his second season of varsity basketball and will compete in his fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-state and academic all-state in football and played on Finals championship and runner-up teams. Qualified for MHSAA Finals in track & field and earned academic all-state in that sport, and earned league scholar-athlete awards in all three sports all four years. Served as captain of all three varsity teams. Serving fourth year as class president and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Participating in third year of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as huddle leader. Participated three years in Future Farmers of America and was a state competitor, and has contributed to multiple community service projects. Will attend Hillsdale College, but is undecided what he will study.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is a mental discipline that requires integrity, strength of character, and the willingness to make the right decisions every time. It is also about practicing emotional intelligence, exercising self-control, and speaking with respect to others while on and off the field. Sportsmanship is about respecting yourself enough to accept both wins and losses with humility.”
Ethan Stine, Bridgman
Played three seasons of varsity football and two of varsity soccer, is playing his fourth of varsity basketball and will play his fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-league honors in football, basketball and baseball, all-state recognition in soccer and academic all-state in baseball. Helped baseball team to Division 3 Finals championship as a freshman and all three of his other teams to league and/or District championships. Served as captain of football, basketball and baseball varsity teams. Serving second year on MHSAA Student Advisory Council and participating in third year of National Honor Society, and this year as chapter president. Competed on DECA team throughout high school, twice qualifying for state finals. Is undecided where he will attend college but intends to study engineering.
Essay Quote: “… Sportsmanship is the active choice to empathize with the people around you – whether they wear a stripe, a rival uniform, or our own colors. It's the unwavering commitment to life lessons over scoreboard outcomes. Our wins fade, but the way we treat people under pressure defines us forever. That competitive integrity, built on genuine respect and humility, is the most valuable degree we earn in educational athletics.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Ashley Carlson, Norway; Lillian Kwiatkowski, Rudyard; Izabella Latuszek, Laingsburg; Anna Poppema, Bath; Addyson Rhodes, Grandville Calvin Christian; Brynne Schulte, Elk Rapids; Molly Soper, Hanover-Horton; Luella Whipkey, Oscoda; and Emma Winans, Perry.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Sean Dammann, New Lothrop; Joe Gaffney, Charlevoix; Ryan Kowalczyk, Pinconning; Amos Miller, Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy; Luke Paxton, Pewamo-Westphalia; Sean Siems, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep; Logan Slimko, North Muskegon; Eli Smith, LeRoy Pine River; and Grason Weber, Leslie.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Caila Fitchett, Dryden
Ran four seasons of cross country and also played her first of varsity volleyball in the fall, bowled as a junior and played two seasons of varsity soccer, and will compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring. Earned all-conference in eight track events during her career and all-state as part of the 1,600 relay as a sophomore. Won league cross country championship and served as captain of both the cross country and track teams. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and has served as chapter president two years. Serving fourth year on student council and has held office of vice president, and also has served as president of National Junior Honor Society, Spanish Club and school’s indoor track club. Participating in fourth year of youth group and co-founded Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. Earned Rural and Small Town Award from College Board and Horatio Alger Association scholarship. Will attend Hope College and study psychology.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship is powerful because it teaches something the stopwatch never could. … It’s not about perfection. It’s not about medals or times. It’s about creating an environment where athletes realize that kindness, belief, and respect can change a season, or even a life.”
Madison Karakashian, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart
Ran third year of cross country in the fall, is competing in third season of varsity skiing and will play third year of varsity tennis this spring. Earned all-region recognition in skiing and has served as that team’s captain three seasons. Competed in equestrian for more than five years including her first two of high school and qualified for national events multiple times. Participating in National Honor Society and serving fourth year in student government. Earned College Board recognition and the Dartmouth Book Award, Women in STEM Award from Rochester Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Medalist Award. Served as captain three years for debate and ethics bowl team, earning all-Catholic honors. Founded school’s all-girls robotics team that qualified for state competition. Founded and served as president of school’s Mental Health Matters Club, and founded company that generated more than $50,000 in revenue in the equine care industry. Is undecided on where she will attend college but intends to study biomedical engineering.
Essay Quote: “Athletics have also taught me that sports mirror real life. There are wins and losses, moments of confidence and moments of doubt. Sportsmanship is what helps you navigate all of it.”
Jack Nelson, Ontonagon
Played three seasons of varsity football, playing fourth of varsity basketball and will compete in fourth of track & field and golf and second of varsity baseball this spring. Also ran cross country as a freshman. Earned all-conference recognition in football and basketball, all-Upper Peninsula in golf and qualified for the MHSAA Finals in that sport. Served as captain of basketball team for four seasons and football team for two. Participating in third year of National Honor Society – this school year as chapter vice president – serving fourth as class vice president and attended American Legion Boys State. Serving as school radio station student manager, participating in second year of yearbook committee and fourth with school’s TANGO service group, and has participated all four years as part of St. Nicholas Project service efforts. Will attend University of Michigan and study sports management.
Essay Quote: “To me, the two core values of sportsmanship are respect and humility. These traits are important in every aspect of life, whether it's on the court, in the office, or at your grandparent’s house. Sportsmanship is like a compass, not only guiding athletes through competition, but pointing them towards the character values that will shape their lives, long after the final whistle blows.”
David Wahl, Gaylord St. Mary
Played three seasons of varsity football, is playing second of varsity basketball and will play fourth of varsity baseball this spring. Earned all-league recognition in football and served as captain of that team. Earned National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction awards, and College Board National Rural and Small Town recognition. Participating in third year of National Honor Society, serving as president, and third year as part of school student leadership team. Serving third year as local Downtown Development Authority student representative, and served as representative on national Youth Leadership Council. Participating in fourth years in school’s theatre club and music ministry, and played two years in marching/concert/jazz band earning Division 1 ratings for district and state solo and ensemble. Will attend University of Notre Dame and intends to study civil engineering.
Essay Quote: “Since that day, I approach competition differently. I’ve become a captain who models respect for opponents and empathy for teammates. I appreciate every moment I’m given, recognizing that each play, each season, is a privilege rather than a guarantee. I have learned to temper my drive with humanity and to pursue perfection without sacrificing compassion.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Emily DelFavero, Wakefield-Marenisco; Isabel Rookard, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart; Alexa Ross, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart; Audrey Stone, Bessemer; Lorna Wiesen, Leland; and Hope Woolman, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian.
Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Zyan Breznik, Adrian Lenawee Christian; Ian Flanagan, Deckerville; Connor Hill, Hillsdale Academy; Brady Jungwirth, Felch North Dickinson; Louis Kowalsky, West Bloomfield FJA; and Noah Zeien, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 10, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 17.
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The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.
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