SAC Sound-off: Lessons Taught
May 9, 2012
MHSAA Student Advisory Council members are charged in part with passing on the lessons of educational athletics. We asked them what they tried to teach their teammates this school year.
“I tried to teach my teammates …”
Focus on the end game
“… How to be intense throughout the game and to be united in our goal to win.” – Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman
“… To work together for a specific goal.” – Muskegon Catholic Central senior Alissa Jones
It starts with work
“… It doesn’t matter how big, strong or fast you are. What matters is how much heart and effort you put into any sport or life situation. Because hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work.” – New Buffalo senior Lena Madison
Stand together
“… Respect each other, because it’s nearly impossible to succeed as a team if you don’t work together.” Walled Lake Central junior Taylor Krumm
“… We are a family. Even if it’s cliché, it’s true. We win together and lose together. As a captain of the golf team, sometimes it is difficult to keep the team mentality since it is also an individual sport.” – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central junior Abby Radomsky
“… The importance of being a good teammate – and how that includes both playing hard on the field and being supportive off of the field.” – Pontiac Notre Dame junior Carly Joseph
It’s about more than physical skills
“... Be selfless. It is so difficult for us as teenagers to stop and realize that not everything is about us. So I wanted to make sure we worked as a team, not as individuals, by communicating.” – Detroit Country Day senior Maria Buczkowski
“... To have a better attitude on the golf course.” – Grand Blanc senior Bailey Truesdell
“... Even in times of trouble (loss, problems, etc.), you need to keep cool and continue to work hard.” – Vandercook Lake junior Thye Fischman
“… To give it their all and to have fun; also to not get worked up over mistakes.” – Rogers City junior Evan Lamb
Don’t take this for granted
“… You need to have fun. Sports are not about winning or losing.” – Benzie Central senior Travis Clous
“… Love the game. My main message as a senior captain in three sports this year was simply to cherish every moment of high school sports. To me, there is nothing better.” – Rudyard senior Tyler Wilson
MHSAA Accepting Student Advisory Council Applications for Class of 2027
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 16, 2025
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is seeking student-athletes to become members of its Student Advisory Council beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Four boys and four girls from the Class of 2027 will be selected to two-year terms and will meet on matters related to maintaining and promoting a proper perspective and sensible scope for high school sports in Michigan. Eight members from the Class of 2026 already are serving on the Council, while eight members from the Class of 2025 are leaving the Council this spring.
To be eligible for the committee, candidates must be a member of the Class of 2027, complete the official application including answering the three short-answer questions, submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and be available for all scheduled meetings.
In addition, candidates should show a history of leadership on athletic teams as well as with other extracurricular activities, community service projects, or in the workplace; and show an understanding of the role of school sports and have ideas for promoting a proper perspective for educational athletics.
Applications are due to the MHSAA by 4:30 p.m. on April 21. Applications can be downloaded from the Student Advisory Council page and must be returned via e-mail, fax or any mail delivery service.
The Student Advisory Council meets five times each school year, and once more for a 24-hour leadership camp. In addition to assisting in the promotion of the educational value of interscholastic athletics, the Council discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics: scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. A fifth S – student leadership – is also a common topic. Members contribute to the planning of Sportsmanship Summits and other student leadership events, and assist with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events.
Newly-chosen members will join the following from the Class of 2026: Itzel Albarran, Bronson; Harper Barnhart, Brownstown Woodhaven; Diamond Cook, Southfield Christian; Henry Ewles, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Frannie Keeley, Jenison; Trey LaValley, Romeo; and Ethan Stine, Bridgman.
The eight new members of the Student Advisory Council will be notified by May 2. The 2025-26 in-person meetings at the MHSAA Office in East Lansing are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24, Oct. 5, Dec. 7, Feb. 8 and April 19, in addition to three Zoom meetings still to be scheduled. For additional information, contact Andy Frushour at the MHSAA at (517) 332-5046 or [email protected].
@mhsaasports Hey student-athletes apply today to join the MHSAA Student Advisory Council! Go to MHSAA.com now💥 #student #athlete #friends #opportunity #sophomore #classof2027 #mhsaa ♬ Walking Around - Instrumental Version - Eldar Kedem
PHOTO The 2024-25 MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Front row, from left: Ella Knudsen, Leland; Frannie Keeley, Jenison; Harper Barnhart, Brownstown Woodhaven; Kaylee Kranz, Clinton; Itzel Albarran, Bronson; Anna Zoet, Grandville Calvin Christian. Back row, from left: Cale Bell, Sault Ste Marie; Joey Spada, Kalamazoo Central; Ethan Stine, Bridgman; Trey LaValley, Romeo; Cole Haist, Big Rapids; Drew Cady, Oxford; Henry Ewles, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Diamond Cook, Southfield Christian; and Isaiah Kabban, Harbor Beach. Missing: Macy Jenkins, Milford.