SAC Sound-off: Why do we lead?
March 14, 2012
We asked the members of the Student Advisory Council why they lead, and what college or pro athletes are strong leaders in their eyes. Here are their answers:
Tyler Wilson, Rudyard senior
I lead because I feel like I can get my teammates going. I think by having a positive, motivational presence on and off the field/court I give my team the best chance to win. I also like being looked up to by my teammates.
From the NBA
Maria Buczkowski, Detroit Country Day senior
Shane Battier. I lead because i really care about what others have to say, and i want to properly voice their opinions as well as mine.
Lena Madison, New Buffalo senior
I lead because it comes natural to me. If I see a problem or a situation, I understand how to combat the issue and get others involved in the problem-solving along the way. Luol Dang of the Chicago Bulls is a strong leader to me. He leads by example and doesn't let others in his head by always staying focused and playing hard.
Olympic medalists
Carly Joseph, Pontiac Notre Dame junior
I lead because I want to make a positive impact on my teams so that we can work together and reach our highest potential. A pro athlete who is a strong leader in my opinion is snowboarder Torah Bright. She is always smiling and keeps a positive attitude, cares about progressing the sport, and is an inspiration to younger snowboarders everywhere.
Alissa Jones, Muskegon Catholic Central senior
I am a leader because I want to keep my team positive and confident during the sport and not bring others down. In my eyes the Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is a strong leader because even though she is the oldest Olympic swimmer, she has shown the world to always be positive and to never give up on your dreams.
NFL past and future
Elle Lehman, Portland St. Patrick senior
I lead because I like to help other succeed as well as myself. I like having a goal and being focused on it until it is achieved. A strong leader in my eyes would be Kirk Cousins because he focuses on his game, while helping others better their play as well. He has strong faith in God, and he seems very humble for achieving as much as he has.
Matt Freeman, Owosso junior
Barry Sanders. I lead because I have a passion, and I express that passion within my leadership.
The Colorado Cannon
Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc senior
I lead to help bring the best out of people and let them reach their full potential. An athlete who is a strong leader that I look up to is Tim Tebow, especially when he was at the University of Florida.
Kevin Beazley, Detroit Catholic Central senior
I lead because it is embedded in my character. I lead because I personally do not want anyone to outwork me in anything I do, and others like to follow my example. Tim Tebow is the best leader in my eyes. The college game he wore John 3:16 on his eye black over 100,000 people looked up that verse that night. Best leader I know today.
Evan Lamb, Rogers City junior
I lead because I feel that it's something I need to do, and I don't like being a follower. A strong leader in my eyes is Tim Tebow in his days at Florida.
Let the Battle of the Fans Begin!
December 10, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
First, there was a call from a student on the west side of the state who wondered if we'd still be holding the contest. Then came a few Facebook posters looking for information on when it all would begin.
Those sparks came just last week – and don't include the handfuls of tweets we received during the fall as student sections ramped up in preparation of one of our favorite parts of the school year.
Apparently, there's some excitement brewing for Battle of the Fans III. And we can't wait to see what you've cooked up.
The MHSAA's Student Advisory Council will host its third “Battle of the Fans” contest this winter to award the top high school student cheering section in Michigan and promote the opportunity for a fun, positive cheering experience for fans supporting their teams.
A total of 27 sections submitted videos for the 2012-13 contest, and 43 schools total have submitted applications during the contest’s first two years. Buchanan was named last year’s champion and presented with a banner during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. Sections from Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Frankenmuth, Vandercook Lake and Zeeland East also were finalists last winter.
Schools are invited to submit a short video, via YouTube, of their cheering sections in action. Video submissions should be between 90 seconds and three minutes long and explain how that section meets the following contest criteria: positive sportsmanship, student body participation, school spirit, originality of cheers, organization of the group, student section leadership and fun.
The deadline for student-submitted video applications is noon Jan. 11. Five finalists including at least one Class C or D school then will be chosen and visited on a home game night by MHSAA staff and Advisory Council representatives. The MHSAA will produce a video of that finalist after each visit, with the champion being selected by the Student Advisory Council based in part on activity on the MHSAA’s social media sites.
This year’s winner will be announced Feb. 21 and recognized March 21 at the Breslin Center.
Contest rules, directions for submitting videos, plus links to coverage of the 2012 and 2013 finalists can be found on the MHSAA Website. This year’s finalist videos, plus the announcement of the 2013-14 winner, will be published on Second Half. Click the links below to see the stories and videos from all five of our finalist visits.
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard - Buchanan - Frankenmuth - Vandercook Lake - Zeeland East
Make sure to mark all of your social media postings regarding Battle of the Fans III with the hashtag #BOTF – and keep an eye out for more information on the MHSAA's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites.
The Student Advisory Council is made up of eight seniors and eight juniors, who each serve two-year terms. The Council acts as the voice of Michigan's student-athletes; it serves as a student sounding board for the MHSAA's Representative Council, assists in planning Sportsmanship Summits, Captains Clinics and other student leadership events; participates in a yearly focus group about the state of high school sports for Michigan State University's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and assists with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events.
PHOTO: East Grand Rapids students cheer on their football team against Lowell this fall.