Battle of the Fans II: Vote Now
February 19, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The five finalists for this year's Battle of the Fans II championship have had their opportunities to show us what's exceptional about their student cheering sections.
Over the next three days, we want you to tell us which you think is most deserving of claiming this season's championship banner.
Vote today through Thursday on your favorite of these five – Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Buchanan, Frankenmuth, Vandercook Lake and Zeeland East – by clicking the poll link on the right side of this screen.
But before you do, take a few minutes to watch all five videos and read all five stories behind the section by clicking the links below.
The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, which will have the final vote on the champion. SAC members will use all resources available to make their decision(s) – one being the public Facebook vote. Votes will be valued proportionate to the size of the school receiving them (for example, one vote for Class C Vandercook Lake will mean more than one vote for much larger Class A Zeeland East).
The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. Video of all five finalists will be compiled and shown on the main scoreboard during the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals in March at Michigan State's Breslin Student Events Center.
And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
Read all about it: "Fighting Irish Stand Together"
Buchanan
Read all about it: "Welcome to the Woods: Small Town, Big Hearts"
Frankenmuth
Read all about it: "Champions Back to Grow 'Battle' Legacy"
Vandercook Lake
Read all about it: "Jayhawk Seniors Nesting for the Future"
Zeeland East
Read all about it: "Coopology: The Study of Being Rowdy"
Subway is sponsor of this season's Battle of the Fans II contest.
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.