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.
SAC Sound-off: Live from Breslin
March 21, 2012
This week we introduce Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman, who not only assisted with the MHSAA's Class D trophy presentation Saturday -- but also played against eventual champion Waterford Our Lady in Thursday's Semifinal at the Breslin Center.
Elle Lehman, Portland St. Patrick junior
- Sports: Basketball and softball
- Non-sports activities: Student council, National Honors Society
- Favorite classes: World Literature. You have a chance to express your voice in different, creative ways.
- Must-see TV: "Family Guy” or “That 70s Show”
- One shining moment: My favorite high school sports highlight would have been in the 1999 Class D girls basketball state championship when there was a few seconds left and St. Pat threw the ball in and it bounced off of someone’s foot, and then we scored!!
- What’s next: I am not sure what school, but I would like to study pre-medicine and play softball in college – then eventually possibly become an orthopedic surgeon.
- My favorite part of game day is: ... hearing our fans cheer! I love the atmosphere when you are down on the court and everyone around you is yelling and cheering.
(Photo courtesy of Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)