Beaverton 'Creatures' Dominate Bleachers
February 17, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
BEAVERTON – What have Beaverton’s Bleacher Creatures meant to their 1,100-person town during their 35 years cheering on the local teams?
Junior Breanna Frasher got a pretty good idea last week.
A leader of this year’s student cheering section, she made a trip to the elementary school to read to some of the younger students. When teachers would mention the Creatures, the kids’ faces glowed.
“As 6-year-olds, they knew what a Bleacher Creature was. They knew it meant you came to the game, you wore red, you painted your face,” Frasher said. “They were all excited.
“Then you’d ask, ‘Who wants to be a Bleacher Creature some day?’ All of them raised their hands. I think that’s awesome, that we’ve … given that to them. They can look up to us and look forward to being a Bleacher Creature.”
Beaverton was the final stop on this year’s Battle of the Fans III tour. MHSAA staff and Student Advisory Council members visited all five finalists over the last month to document the stories behind the sections and film them on home game nights. The public may vote for its favorite on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites Tuesday-Thursday, with the Student Advisory Council taking that vote into consideration when selecting the champion after that vote has concluded.
The winner will be announced Friday on Second Half and honored with a championship banner during the Boys Basketball Semifinals on March 21 at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center.
Not long ago, Frasher was one of those elementary school kids, looking forward to her turn in the student section. Now she’s among a group of junior and sophomore leaders that includes three third-generation Beaverton High students and three more whose parents also went to the school.
The original Bleacher Creatures emerged in 1979 and then gained steam during the Beaverton boys basketball team’s run to the MHSAA Class C Semifinals in 1984. The Beavers lost that game, 69-58, to Kalamazoo Christian at the University of Michigan’s Crisler Arena.
But keeping a promise to his team, Beaverton coach Roy Johnston – the third-winningest boys hoops coach in MHSAA history and a devout Michigan State fan – kissed the block “M” on Crisler’s center court after being carried to the middle of the floor by the Bleacher Creatures. “Roy kissed the floor in ’84,” is still heard around town including by junior Jen Eaton, whose mother was a sophomore in the section in 1984.
Johnston’s presence still plays an enormous role in the Creatures’ efforts. He entered this season with a combined record of 650-287 coaching four schools going back to 1971, and part of growing up in Beaverton is aspiring to play for the legendary coach – or root on his team. After all, the gym is named after him, and three grandsons are now in the program.
“We know you can’t have an amazing thing like this happen without a supportive community,” said sophomore Braedon Wolfe, whose father and uncle both played on the 1984 team. “And that’s what we have here. This thing never would’ve lasted close to this long (without) these people in this community; it’s amazing.”
But the section also has continued to evolve.
The original Creatures morphed into something known as the “Red Rave” at some point (a small sign where the current section sits pays homage) before Bleacher Creatures returned as the name in 2008.
Those early sections, by the oral history literally passed down through generations, traveled big and cheered strong, but didn’t have the creativity of the current Creatures, who for their team’s Valentine’s day game against Houghton Lake created Cupid to make friends of the Beaver and Bobcat mascots. Of course, there also was a piece of recent tradition – Wolfe, a robed and white-bearded Moses, parting a Red Sea of Beaverton students clad in their usual red T-shirts.
Last year’s section was led by a pair of emphatic seniors who graduated in the spring. This school year’s leaders realized a longer chain of command would be necessary to secure the section continuing into its fourth decade.
This fall, junior Drew Porter and Wolfe – recipients of the throwback basketball jerseys worn by last year’s leaders – serve as president and vice-president, respectively, of a newly-formed spirit club. The hierarchy also includes a secretary, treasurer, photo/video and music coordinators, creative and fundraising leaders and campaign managers.
Full club meetings are standing-room only, with about 30 students – or just under 10 percent of the school – taking part. The band sits adjacent to the student section during games and plays a big part, and multiple members sit in on the spirit meetings to help coordinate between the two.
There’s even an annual Bleacher Creature Award given to a member of the section that resides in the school trophy case next to “Butch,” its most prized traveling trophy.
“I think (the section) hit a roar, and we realized, ‘Why end it when it’s going so well,’” Frasher said. “We need to keep it going.”
“And we needed to get organized to we could keep it going,” added junior Nate O’Brien, another of the spirit club leadership.
There’s been another evolution that has taken hold over the last decade and especially this fall after Beaverton failed to make last season’s Battle of the Fans finals.
Eaton remembered as a middle schooler not having any desire to be a Creature after hearing some of what was hurled forth by those high schoolers during games. Such things are almost unheard of now, but Frasher and her classmates knew almost immediately a year ago why they didn’t advance in BOTF – despite just missing the finals by finishing seventh in the vote to decide the top five.
A “winning team – losing team” chant, meant to point out and demean the team about to be defeated, had to be the culprit. That became a little more apparent when a viewer left a comment about the chant below the application video.
“Our feet shuffled the next day. No one really talked,” Frasher remembered. “We came to school and sat there, and we knew. We watched and re-watched the video, and it came down to a point: that’s the reason.”
“We were going to apply (this year) from the beginning,” Eaton said.
Although the Creatures were disappointed, the winter did end with some positives to carry into this fall, including unexpected solidarity that formed as Beaverton made a run back to the boys basketball Quarterfinals.
The Beavers’ Regional run took them to Jack Pine Conference foe Sanford Meridian’s gym, and about 30 Meridian fans joined into the Creatures section. So too did students from league colleagues Gladwin, Houghton Lake and Roscommon. The Creatures absorbed with joy those who wanted to join and brought handfuls of extra shirts so their new cheering mates had something to wear to fit in.
The expanded section became known as the “Jack Pine Super Crew,” and this winter Beaverton’s leaders have noticed new sections cropping up at almost every school in the league.
And don’t forget those original Creatures. During the Quarterfinal run, a few of the dads and uncles dressed up like cheerleaders. Friday night, a group of parents made sure to join the Macarena line that circled the court during a break. They have built props and donated for spirit buses to away games – anything to keep these Creatures going strong. The 1984 hoops team was inducted into the Beaverton Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, and both former players who spoke made sure to mention how much support the teams derived from the section then and now.
It’s been tough financially in the community of late, and next year seventh and eighth grade students will move to the high school in order to save the district a reported $100,000. Bad times on top of the usual small-town jokes are enough to give some rude opponents something about which to snicker.
The Bleacher Creatures are a way – now always positive – the community continues to stand together to answer.
“This is us coming together, even though you can say anything you want about it,” Porter said. “This is who we are.”
Battle of the Fans III is sponsored in part by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
PHOTOS: (Top) Beaverton "Bleacher Creatures" prepare for a free-throw attempt during Friday's game against Houghton Lake. (Middle) The Creatures cheer on their classmates during the MHSAA's Battle of the Fans visit. (Photos courtesy of Bob Frei.)
2025 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients Announced in Class C & D
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 4, 2025
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 36th 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 15 during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
The Class C Scholar-Athlete Award honorees are Dayne Behning, Munising; Kelcie Pung, Fowler; Isaiah Kabban, Harbor Beach; Trevor Nolan, Munising; and Wheatley Rodammer, Saginaw Valley Lutheran.
The Class D Scholar-Athlete Award recipients are Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate; Ella Knudsen, Leland; Joshua Gaunt, Dollar Bay; and Dakota Malek, Fulton.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class C Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Dayne Behning, Munising
Played four seasons of varsity tennis and three of varsity volleyball, is playing her fourth of varsity basketball and will compete in her fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-state in cross country, all-Upper Peninsula recognition in tennis and all-conference in volleyball and basketball; and earned academic all-state team and individual honors in cross country. Served as team captain of tennis and volleyball varsities. Serving in second year on student council with leadership roles as council vice president and also class vice president. Participating in fourth year of Key Club and as vice president. Participating in second year of National Honor Society, third in Youth in Government, third on yearbook staff and competing in first year of quiz bowl. Is considering attending Baker College to study veterinary technology.
Essay Quote: “The reality of high school athletics in the Upper Peninsula often means long bus rides and hours of travel for away games. This distance creates a unique dynamic among athletes, especially when you spend years competing against the same opponents. Over time, the girls on opposing teams become familiar faces – people you’ve grown up playing with. Through countless games and practices, rivalries evolve, and competition becomes a shared language. We end up being each other's biggest cheerleaders.”
Kelcie Pung, Fowler
Ran four years of varsity cross country, will compete in fourth season of track & field this spring and played varsity basketball as a sophomore and junior. Earned all-state in both cross country and track, the latter all of her first three seasons, and helped track team to Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals championship last spring. Served as cross country team captain this past fall. Serving fourth year on school’s student athletic advisory council, and as president, and also serving as student council class secretary. Participating in fourth year with school’s LINKS program and serving as president for second year. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and fourth with school’s renaissance program for students with strong academics. Will attend Saginaw Valley State University and study upper elementary education.
Essay Quote: “Sportsmanship can be seen in the moments where adversity is overwhelming and where the outcome is far from expectation. In the depths of a difficult situation, there is a choice to make. The decision between sportsmanship or dwelling on defeat define one’s character. Just like other personal values, genuine sportsmanship is contagious and does not go unnoticed.”
Isaiah Kabban, Harbor Beach
Played two seasons of varsity football and will compete in fourth of track & field this spring; also played junior varsity basketball two seasons. Earned all-area in football and helped team to league and District championships. Earned all-state in powerlifting and twice qualified for state meet. Earned academic all-league in football and track. Served as football and track throws captain and coached middle school flag football and as varsity basketball student assistant. Will complete second associate degree before high school graduation. Serving on MHSAA Student Advisory Council and participated in student government throughout high school including as vice president. Served as representative for local district’s Congressional Youth Council. Serving as national director of ongoing legislation for American Youth Association and was a national spokesperson finalist for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Leadership Council. Participated in American Legion Boys State and Boys Nation with leadership roles. Is undecided on which college he will attend, but intends to study public policy.
Essay Quote: “Sports only matter because we agree they do – and because of the relentless work we put into them. … (Sportsmanship is) what makes the game more than just a competition. It’s the foundation that gives sports their meaning, their stories, and their legacy.”
Trevor Nolan, Munising
Ran four years of varsity cross country, is playing his fourth of season of varsity basketball and will compete in fourth of track & field this spring; also played varsity football for the first time this past fall. Helped basketball team to 2023 Division 4 Finals championship and has earned all-state and academic all-state recognition in that sport. Won multiple league championships in cross country and earned all-Upper Peninsula honors, and was Finals relay champion in track. Earned all-conference honorable mention in football. Served as cross country and basketball team captain. Participating in second years of National Honor Society and Key Club and served on student council as a freshman as class president. Is undecided on which college he will attend, but intends to study physical therapy or kinesiology.
Essay Quote: “A coach once told me that the reason why high school sports are so successful is that they are great at teaching young kids how to mature into adults. There is no better way to teach kids how to develop great character than by teaching them the importance of sportsmanship. … Growing up, I was not always a good sport, but as I got older I learned the importance of sportsmanship through many important lessons.”
Wheatley Rodammer, Saginaw Valley Lutheran
Played four seasons of varsity soccer, is playing his second of varsity basketball and will compete in his fourth of track & field this spring. Earned all-league and all-District in soccer and contributed to academic all-state team. Qualified for MHSAA Track & Field Finals as part of relay. Served as captain of soccer and basketball teams. Participated two years in National Honor Society, four years in school’s Protect Life group and in STEM and Global Awareness clubs as a junior. Will serve as head timer for grade school track meets for fourth year this spring and head announcer for third year. Completed Great Lakes Area Leadership Camp. Will attend Saginaw Valley State University and study a business-related major.
Essay Quote: “Throughout my years in grade school and high school sports, I have often heard coaches repeat phrases like “practice makes perfect” and “you get out of it what you put into it.” These lessons have prepared me for life beyond sports. Having good sportsmanship is a personal choice that requires commitment. There is a significant difference between showing sportsmanship only when it feels convenient and displaying it consistently, no matter the circumstances. Educational athletics often throw curveballs your way, requiring you to remain composed and prepared at all times – not just when you feel like it.”
Other Class C girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Baylee Goddard, Alcona; Kaylee Kranz, Clinton; Alexyn DuBois, Hanover-Horton; Grace Hayhurst, Harbor Springs; Allie Nowak, Johannesburg-Lewiston; Kate Mattson, Munising; Ashlyn Orr, New Lothrop; Tess Tillman, Royal Oak Shrine Catholic; and Makayla Zelinko, St Charles.
Other Class C boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Lucas Hall, Bark River-Harris; Owen Heath, Bridgman; Jason Zarate, Brighton Charyl Stockwell Prep; Matthew Mellendorf, Cass City; Korbyn Russell, East Jordan; Carson Kienitz, Munising; Ian Weldon, Reese; Ben Denlinger, Roscommon; and Landon Pestrue, St Louis.
Overviews of the scholarship recipients of the Class D Scholar-Athlete Award follow. A quote from each recipient's essay also is included:
Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate
Played four seasons of varsity volleyball, playing fourth of varsity basketball and also played varsity softball as a sophomore. Led volleyball team to Division 4 championships the last two seasons, making the all-state first team after both and earning honorable mention as a sophomore. Helped basketball team to District titles her first three seasons, earning all-state as a junior and academic all-state in that sport as well. Served as volleyball team captain three seasons and basketball her final two. Earned AP Scholar recognition and is ranked first in her graduating class with a 4.3 weighted grade-point average. Serving second year on student government, as vice president, and participating in second year of National Honor Society. Served as ECyD youth group team leader throughout high school and two years as yearbook senior editor. Will attend Calvin University and study nursing.
Essay Quote: “To truly have this pivotal quality, it is necessary to not only be a good winner but also a good loser. It is easy to congratulate the other team on playing well when the outcome is in your favor. However, it is much harder to look into the eyes of your opponent who just ended your season and tell them they played well.”
Ella Knudsen, Leland
Played four years of varsity golf and ran four seasons of cross country, is playing her third of varsity basketball and will compete in her fourth season of track & field this spring; also played varsity soccer as a freshman and sophomore. Earned all-state three times in cross country, once in track and all-conference in basketball, and earned academic all-state in those three sports and golf. Served as captain of cross country, basketball and track teams. Earned AP Scholar recognition and Rural and Small Town Award from College Board. Serves on MHSAA Student Advisory Council and is participating in third years on Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council and as part of student government. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and third of National Art Honor Society, serving as president of both chapters and student council. Will attend Hope College and study kinesiology.
Essay Quote: “Over the years sportsmanship has been the driving force for me to connect with other competitors in our area. … These relationships have allowed me to care for others and in return I have been encouraged and motivated because of these connections over the course of high school.”
Joshua Gaunt, Dollar Bay
Ran four years of varsity cross country, playing fourth season of varsity basketball and will play fourth season of golf and compete in fourth season of track & field this spring. Helped cross country team to two Upper Peninsula Division 3 Finals championships and earned all-UP in track and golf. Served as basketball and cross country team captain multiple seasons. Serving fourth year on student council and as vice president, and participating in second year of National Honor Society and serving as chapter president. Serving as director of leadership while participating in fourth year of Student Leadership Advisory Council of the Keweenaw. Playing fourth year in school band and contributed to multiple festival superior ratings. Will attend Michigan Technological University and study mechanical engineering.
Essay Quote: “In educational athletics, sportsmanship is much more than just treating others with respect. It is about being honest with yourself and the game. … By showing integrity and embracing honesty, athletes not only honor the spirit of competition but also create a foundation for success in life. True sportsmanship ensures that victories are meaningful, challenges are overcome, and every moment in sports becomes a stepping stone toward becoming a better person.”
Dakota Malek, Fulton
Played two seasons of varsity football, wrestled two seasons and competed on track & field team as freshman and junior. Earned individual and team academic all-state honors in football and served as team captain his final two seasons. Participating in third year of National Honor Society and second as chapter president. Competing in fourth year of Business Professionals of America and is a three-time state competition qualifier. Participating for fourth year in school’s Above the Influence group and serving second year as student representative to school district’s board of education. Serving fourth year as broadcaster of school sporting events. Will attend Central Michigan University and study meteorology and broadcasting.
Essay Quote: “After the final whistle, I fell to the ground. I wanted to rewind and redo the play, but that wasn't possible. Instead, I got up and helped the Kingston defender up. I pulled it together, managed my emotions, and got in my last line to shake the opponents' hands. It was hard to see it in that moment, but that loss prepared me for the future. Losing my last game in that fashion prepared me to better manage my emotions and take responsibility.”
Other Class D girls finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Keira Jean Graham, Bessemer; Molly Coppens, Chesterfield Austin Catholic; Ella Grace Gasperich, Crystal Falls Forest Park; Leah Durfee, Fife Lake Forest Area; Mallory Rich, Muskegon Catholic Central; and Kaitlyn Miros, Saginaw Nouvel.
Other Class D boys finalists for the Scholar-Athlete Award were Seth Davis, Adrian Lenawee Christian; Owen Plum, Britton Deerfield; Andrew Spiegel, Hillsdale Academy; Carter Kosinski, Kinde North Huron; Alex Tyndall, Mason County Eastern; and Grady Pieratt, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
The Class B scholarship award recipients will be announced Feb. 11, and the Class A honorees will be announced Feb. 18.
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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.