Battle of the Fans: Banner Year for Frankenmuth

March 27, 2012

EAST LANSING -- Representatives from the Frankenmuth High School student cheering section were presented with an MHSAA championship banner Friday at Michigan State's Breslin Center in honor of winning this season's "Battle of the Fans" competition.

Frankenmuth finished first from a group of finalists that also included Rockford, Grand Rapids Christian, Petoskey and Reese. This was the first year of the contest, which was created by the MHSAA's Student Advisory Council and then administered by MHSAA staff and SAC members.

A total of 19 schools submitted applications, and MHSAA staff and SAC members then visited all five finalists. The champion was crowned based on votes by both the advisory council and the public via the MHSAA Facebook page.

Click to read more and see links to finalists' videos. 

SAC Sound-off: Who do you cheer for most?

May 2, 2012

Our MHSAA Student Advisory Council members all play at least one MHSAA varsity sport, and through their service to the council have learned much more about high school athletics throughout the state.

But when it comes to following sports teams, almost all do their most cheering for those at the college level.

We surveyed our SAC members on what level of sports they pay attention to most. Here’s a look at their answers.

  • Ten of 12 who submitted answers said they follow college sports most. Another SAC member said she follows both college and pro equally.
  • The breakdown of colleges was a little surprising. Three said the University of Michigan, two said Michigan State University, but two more said Ohio State University. We also had one vote for Hillsdale College and another for Baylor University.
  • Two put down the colleges they will compete for next year – University of Miami, Ohio (Grand Blanc’s Bailey Truesdell, in golf) and Notre Dame (New Buffalo’s Lena Madison, in track).
  • Truesdell was specific in his selection – he follows Miami’s hockey team the most. Michigan football and softball also were listed by SAC members.
  • Four professional teams made the radar of SAC favorites. Two follow the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, and a third follows the Miami Heat. The only Detroit teams to get a mention were the MLB Tigers and NFL Lions, one apiece.