In Memoriam: Ryan Fischer (1996-2014)

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

March 7, 2014

Grandville senior Ryan Fischer, a three-sport athlete, straight-A student and member of the MHSAA’s Student Advisory Council, died in his sleep overnight Thursday.

Fisher was co-captain of Grandville’s ice hockey team and set to join his teammates at Compuware Arena for tonight’s Division 1 Semifinal against Detroit Catholic Central. Fischer also was to receive an MHSAA Class A Scholar-Athlete Award later this month and recently had gained acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he planned to study aerospace engineering.

“Our staff enjoyed knowing Ryan as an engaging member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council for two years, and we grieve his loss with the entire Grandville community,” MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts said.

Fischer was to turn 18 on April 10. 

He also served as captain of his football team this fall and had lettered in baseball. A three-year member of the hockey team, he was named to its leadership council and earned all-league honors as a junior.

Fisher held roles in a number of additional leadership initiatives. He served four years on Grandville's student government executive board and also on the school's Leadership Team and his church’s youth leadership council. Fischer was selected to attend both the U.S. Military Academy Summer Leadership Experience and the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar after his junior year.

A decision to play tonight’s hockey game as scheduled was made after conversations between Fischer’s family and Grandville’s administration.

Performance of the Week: Kingsley's Jenna Middleton

September 25, 2026

Jenna Middleton headshot

Jenna Middleton ♦ Kingsley
Senior ♦ Volleyball

Kingsley’s record-setting outside hitter became the 35th player in MHSAA girls volleyball history to reach 2,000 kills during the rally scoring era, doing so during her team’s win over Negaunee on Sept 12, and then set the school record for kills three days later during a win over Grayling. She’s up to 2,057 career kills after adding 23 more to her total Tuesday against Harbor Springs. 

The returning all-stater also was her team’s leading hitter as the Stags won last season’s Division 3 championship, and she’s helped Kingsley to a 27-3-1 record and No. 5 ranking this week in Division 2. She does not intend to continue playing volleyball after high school, but plans to attend Northern Michigan University and study English and potentially creative writing or journalism.

@mhsaasports 🏐 POW: Jenna Middleton #Kingsley #Volleyball #Record #PerformanceOfTheWeek #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🏐 POW: Jenna Middleton #TikTalk #FunFacts #FYP #HighSchoolSports #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

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Past 2026-27 honorees

Sept. 18: Caden Livermore, Grandville cross country - Read

(Photos courtesy of the Kingsley volleyball program.)