SAC Sound-off: Who do you cheer for most?
May 2, 2012
Our MHSAA Student Advisory Council members all play at least one MHSAA varsity sport, and through their service to the council have learned much more about high school athletics throughout the state.
But when it comes to following sports teams, almost all do their most cheering for those at the college level.
We surveyed our SAC members on what level of sports they pay attention to most. Here’s a look at their answers.
- Ten of 12 who submitted answers said they follow college sports most. Another SAC member said she follows both college and pro equally.
- The breakdown of colleges was a little surprising. Three said the University of Michigan, two said Michigan State University, but two more said Ohio State University. We also had one vote for Hillsdale College and another for Baylor University.
- Two put down the colleges they will compete for next year – University of Miami, Ohio (Grand Blanc’s Bailey Truesdell, in golf) and Notre Dame (New Buffalo’s Lena Madison, in track).
- Truesdell was specific in his selection – he follows Miami’s hockey team the most. Michigan football and softball also were listed by SAC members.
- Four professional teams made the radar of SAC favorites. Two follow the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, and a third follows the Miami Heat. The only Detroit teams to get a mention were the MLB Tigers and NFL Lions, one apiece.
Performance of the Week: Portage Central's Sam Schumacher
September 25, 2025
Sam Schumacher ♦ Portage Central
Junior ♦ Tennis
Schumacher tops the lineup for Portage Central, currently No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, and ranks among the state's winningest No. 1 singles players this season at 20-0. Five of those victories came last week including three at a Midland Dow quad that also included the No. 2-ranked Chargers, No. 8 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Division 1 No. 9 Rockford. He's lost just one set this fall, and eight of his victories were by 6-0, 6-0 scores.
While building a high school career record of 74-14, Schumacher entered his first two MHSAA Division 2 Finals among seeded players at No. 1 singles, reaching the quarterfinals as a freshman and finishing as flight runner-up a year ago. This summer he played at the USTA Boys 16 National Championships, receiving direct acceptance into the tournament field and winning his first of three matches during the event.
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Sam Schumacher #portagecentral #tennis #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Sam Schumacher #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
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Previous 2025-26 honorees
Sept. 18: Kaylee Mitzel, Saline field hockey - Report
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Portage Central boys tennis program.)