This Week In High School Sports: 2/14/20
February 14, 2020
This week’s show highlights Farmington United gymnast Elena Vargo, presents Game Balls to Mount Clemens basketball's Javaughn Hannah and Houghton basketball's Brad Simonsen, explains hoops' held ball rule and discusses the multi-sport background of a Super Bowl star.
The 5-minute program, powered by MI Student Aid, leads off each week with feature stories from around the state from the MHSAA’s Second Half or network affiliates. "Be The Referee," a 60-second look at the fine art of officiating, comes in the middle of the show and is followed by a closing MHSAA "Perspective."
Listen to this week's show by Clicking Here.
Past editions
Feb. 7: Trenton swimmer Michael Wolsek, need for women in leadership positions in athletics - Listen
Jan. 31: Utica Ford bowling's Kensington Holland, winter lessons on civility - Listen
Jan. 24 White Pigeon multi-sport standout Claycee West, 2020 Youth Football Forum - Listen
Jan. 17: Promoting and protecting youth football, amateurism in educational athletics - Listen
Jan. 10: Livonia Stevenson hockey's Seth Lause, multi-media and social media impacts - Listen
Dec. 27: Mona Shores "Sailor Nation" life-saving success - Listen
Dec. 20: Battle of the Fans IX, details on purchasing Finals broadcasts - Listen
Dec. 13: Port Huron United hockey, what matters most in high school sports - Listen
Dec. 6: Highlights from 2019 11-Player Football Finals, instant replay in review - Listen
Nov. 29: Highlights from 2019 8-Player Football, Girls Volleyball and Girls Swimming & Diving Finals - Listen
Nov. 22: Ida volleyball record-setter Taylor Wegener, new Football Finals video review - Listen
Nov. 15: Reading lineman Nick Affholter, coaches as leaders in sportsmanship - Listen
Nov. 8: Lower Peninsula Cross Country and Boys Soccer Finals highlights - Listen
Nov. 1: Muskegon Orchard View football, bolstered MHSAA broadcast schedule - Listen
Oct. 25: Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian girls golf, MHSAA Football Playoff selection - Listen
Oct. 18: Mendon volleyball's title drive, recognition for longtime announcer Erik O. Furseth - Listen
Oct. 11: Negaunee cross country's Emily Paupore, MHSAA mental health awareness efforts - Listen
Oct. 4: South Lyon soccer's Josh Mason, improving youth football - Listen
Sept: 27: Utica Eisenhower golfer Ariel Chang, adult fan behavior - Listen
Sept: 20: Pinckney football inspiration, decisions made at the local level - Listen
Sept. 13: Muskegon's offensive line, soccer substitution rule change - Listen
Sept. 6: Jenison girls golf's inspiration, new football practice contact restrictions - Listen
Aug. 30: St. Johns quarterback-now-coach Andy Schmitt, benefits of a multi-sport experience - Listen
Flashback 100: The Other Mr. Forsythe in Michigan School Sports
December 13, 2024
(The following is a reposted 2017 blog entry by retired MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts)
The modern world is quick to dismiss pioneers who paved our way, but it would be wrong to diminish the accomplishments of those who gave form and function to school-sponsored sports in Michigan.
It was a time when travel was arduous and communications were slow. A time when the fundamentals of sports we take for granted today were being determined. A time when the basic rules of competition and eligibility we have today were being developed.
No single person has done more than L.L. Forsythe to shape school sports in Michigan, and the nation. This is Lewis L. Forsythe, not Charles E. Forsythe, the first and longest-serving executive director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
In 1918-19 and again in 1923-24, L.L. Forsythe served as president of the MHSAA’s predecessor organization, the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Association, which operated from 1910 to 1924. He served on its board of control from 1921 to 1924.
When the MIAA gave way to the MHSAA in 1924, L.L. Forsythe was elected president of its Representative Council, and he served unpaid in that position for 18 consecutive years (1924 to 1942).
L.L. Forsythe served on the Executive Committee of the newly forming National Federation of State High School Associations from 1922 to 1940, and was the young national organization’s vice president for 15 of those 18 years.
During these years, the MHSAA commenced state tournaments in seven sports and the National Federation ended national high school tournaments in all sports. Playing rules moved from a local hit-and-miss process to a national system that emphasized standardization and safety. Much that we do routinely now was a matter of first impression then.
Previous "Flashback 100" Features
Nov. 29: Coleman's Legendary Heroics Carry Harrison Through Repeat - Read
Nov. 22: Harbaugh Brothers' Football Roots Planted in Part at Pioneer - Read
Nov. 15: 8-Player Football Finals Right at Home at Superior Dome - Read
Nov. 8: Future Baseball Pro Led Escanaba's Legendary Football Title Run - Read
Nov. 1: Michigan High School Baseball Trio Provide World Series Voices - Read
Oct. 25: Before Leading Free World, Ford Starred for Champion GR South - Read
Oct. 18: Mercy Links Legend Becomes World Golf Hall of Famer - Read
Oct. 11: Fisher Races to Finals Stardom on Way to U.S. Olympic First - Read
Oct. 4: Lalas Leaves High School Legacies on Ice & Pitch - Read
Sept. 27: Tamer's History-Making Run Starts in Dexter, Continues to Paris - Read
Sept. 20: Todd Martin’s Road to Greatness Starts at East Lansing - Read
Sept. 13: James Earl Jones, Dickson High Hoops to Hollywood Legend - Read
Sept. 6: Pioneers' Unstoppable Streak Stretches 9 Seasons - Read
Aug. 30: Detroit dePorres Rushes to 1995 Class CC Football Championship - Read
PHOTOS At left is L.L. Forsythe; at right, seated second from left, is L.L. Forsythe with members of the Representative Council in 1939. (MHSAA file photos.)