Concussion Care Special Awarded Emmy

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 19, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Yellow Flag Productions – which produces State Champs! Sports Network – and FOX Sports Detroit received a Michigan Emmy Award on Saturday for their “Concussions and the Modern Athlete” program that detailed the effects of concussions in athletics and steps being taken by the MHSAA to enhance awareness and care at the high school level.

The award – presented by the state’s chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – came in the category of “Children/Youth/Teens – Program/Special.” The show was hosted and reported by State Champs’ Kiara Hay and included interviews with MHSAA Executive Director John E. Jack Roberts and Assistant Director Kathy Vruggink Westdorp.

The show was part of the State Champs! Summer Series in 2017 and aired on FOX Sports Detroit.

Sportsmanship Summits Go Annual

October 29, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Michigan High School Athletic Association will present its Sportsmanship Summit series again this November as the program becomes an annual event after previously being presented every other school year at four sites across the state.

MHSAA staff, with assistance from school administrators and the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, conduct Sportsmanship Summits. More than 1,000 students from more than 100 schools are expected to take part in the four workshops, where they will discuss the line that separates good from bad sportsmanship, especially when it comes to cheering at athletic events.

“Sportsmanship is a key part of athletic competition and should be a way of life for all young athletes,” said MHSAA assistant director Andy Frushour, who leads the Summits and serves as advisor to the Student Advisory Council. “By bringing the Sportsmanship Summit series to students every year, and to all areas of the state more regularly, we can better promote this value that will continue to serve student-athletes as they move on from high school and into other endeavors.”

Instruction will be based in part on insights gained during the Student Advisory Council’s Battle of the Fans competitions. The contest annually recognizes the best student cheering section in Michigan. The first Battle of the Fans champion was awarded at the end of the 2011-12 winter season.

This fall’s Summits again will feature hands-on breakout sessions – including one session developed and instructed by members of the Student Advisory Council. To conclude the Summits, the delegation from each participating school will meet to develop a youth sportsmanship campaign to implement upon returning to school.

Sessions will take place at the following:

  • Marquette – Nov. 9 – University Center, Northern Michigan University  – 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Warren – Nov. 11 – DeCarlos Banquet Center – 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Kalamazoo – Nov. 16 – Downtown Radisson – 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  • Lansing – Nov. 18 – Crowne Plaza Lansing West – 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Registration at each site is limited to the first 300 students and administrators, and the Lansing and Marquette Summits are sold out. Schools are welcome to bring as many as 10 total representatives, including two administrators. For additional registration information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA office – [email protected] or (517) 332-5046. 

Registration information also is available on the MHSAA Website.