Red Hawk Varsity football coach Gus Kapolka at last year’s game against Greenville. He has been named the coach of the week by the Detroit Lions. Photo by Kelly Alvesteffer.

The Detroit Lions have named Gus Kapolka, the Cedar Springs High School varsity football coach, the week three recipient of the 2014 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program.

On September 12, Kapolka led his Red Hawks to a 46-7 victory over Belding to go to 3-0 on the season. Currently in his 2nd year at Cedar Springs, Kapolka spent nine seasons as a head coach at Manistee, taking the Chippewas to three state playoff berths. He also spent four years as an assistant at Boyne City and four years as an assistant at Warren Lincoln.

This Friday, the Red Hawks go on the road to take on Grand Rapids Catholic Central at Forest Hills Northern, in what will be the MLive Grand Rapids Press Game of the Week.

In terms of student-athlete health and safety at Cedar Springs High School, all Cedar Springs coaches from varsity to the middle school are first aid, CPR, and AED certified. Student-athletes in varsity football, boys/girls soccer and wrestling are also administered baseline concussion testing through Concussion Vital Signs. This scientifically based system, as part of a medical evaluation, helps facilitate confident return-to-play decisions, while helping to protect the future of student athletes in sports, academics, and life.

Each week throughout the 2014 nine-week high school football regular season, one coach that best develops his players’ character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program, will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community.

The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members: Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, ESPN 96.1 FM-Fox 17/Grand Rapids), Scott DeCamp (Mlive.com/Muskegon) and James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle).

Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school’s football program. At the conclusion of the 2014 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season’s Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his school’s football program. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, a personalized game ball as well as acknowledgement at an upcoming Lions home game.

This season’s program will award $22,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions, the NFL Foundation and presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan.

Currently in its’ 18th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $323,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan.

More than 1,500 people gathered in the Cedar Springs High School gym last Saturday night for a basketball game between past and present Detroit Lions and Team Hazel, a group of community members who have come together to show their support of Cedar Springs High School teacher and soccer coach, Scotty Hazel. Hazel is undergoing treatment for liposarcoma. This is his second fight against cancer.

The event raised $12,500 towards Hazel’s cancer treatments.

The fundraiser was the brainchild of former CSHS teacher Cliff Young. The event featured several Detroit Lions players, including Rob Rubick, Herman Moore, Bill Bentley, Cory Schlesinger, Devin Taylor, and Tahir Whitehead. They played against a team made up CSHS teachers and community residents, including MSU standout and CSHS grad Austin Thornton. But the game was strictly for fun—full of hijinks, laughs and special substitutions from the sidelines. During halftime, the players signed autographs, and residents had the chance to bid at a silent auction.

Young said the event greatly exceeded his expectations, both in attendance and in the amount of money raised.

“Rob Rubick, who runs the Lions team, said it was the biggest and most raucous crowd they have played for,” noted Young.

But one of the most memorable parts of the night came early on. “Watching Scott join his family on the floor, raise his hands in the air, and stand while more than 1,500 people cheered before listening to Bekah Lou (Scott’s daughter) address the crowd will forever be burned into memories,” said Young. “Such a humbling experience. While the night was such a celebration of Scott, it was also the coming together of a wonderful community and a showing of profound generosity.”

Young said that Scott and his family are incredibly appreciative and happy about all that went on. “It was a great and memorable night all around.”

Current and former Detroit Lions players to compete against local players in basketball game to raise money for teacher’s cancer treatment and expenses

Scotty Hazel

On Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m., current and former Detroit Lions football players will take on local members of “Team Hazel,” a group of community members who have come together to show their support of Cedar Springs High School teacher and soccer coach, Scotty Hazel. Hazel is undergoing treatment for liposarcoma. This is his second fight against cancer.

The game will be in the Cedar Springs High School gym. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased at the door. Half time will feature player autographs and a silent auction.

More than 700 tickets have already been sold to the “Team Hazel versus Detroit Lions” game. A large portion of ticket sales have come from the students he’s inspired over the years. The public outpouring of support is evident on the “Purple Haze Page” on facebook. It has more than 1,700 members.

The following Detroit Lions players will be in attendance:

Herman Moore, 11-year NFL WR and 4-time Pro Bowler. He is currently the Lions career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

Bill Bentley, a second-year CB out of Louisiana-Lafayette. He was a third-round draft pick in 2012 and has over 40 tackles in his short career.

Cory Schlesinger, 12-year NFL FB and 3-time Pro Bowl alternate. He was a bruising back, scoring over 14 career touchdowns and is most famous for helping open holes for Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders

Rob Rubick, a 7-year NFL TE and Grand Valley State University football standout. He now does color commentary and broadcast work for the team.

Devin Taylor, at 6’ 7” and 270 lbs. this DE is a player to watch.

Theo Riddick, former Notre Dame star for coach Brian Kelly, figures to see a lot of action this year at both WR and KR.

Tahir Whitehead, a second-year LB and special teams standout. Last year, he won the Yale Larry Special Teams Most Valuable Player Award, recording nine tackles and a forced fumble.

Local players include many Cedar Springs teachers, residents, and alumni, including Austin Thornton, a former member of the MSU basketball team. The event will be announced Trey Reed, another Cedar Springs graduate.

If you would like to make a donation, make checks payable to Cliffton Young and mail to 6487 Blythefield Ave NE, Rockford MI 49341. All funds will be deposited into a special fund set-up for Scott Hazel at Lake Michigan Credit Union.

Current and former Detroit Lions players to compete against local supporters in basketball game to raise money for teacher’s cancer treatment and expenses

Scott Hazel

More than 600 tickets have already been sold to the “Team Hazel versus Detroit Lions” game to benefit beloved Cedar Springs High School teacher and soccer coach Scotty Hazel. On May 3, at 7 p.m., at Cedar Springs High School, current and former Detroit Lions football players will take on local members of “Team Hazel,” a group of community members who have come together to show their support of Scott, who is undergoing treatment for liposarcoma.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased at the door or by calling (616) 340-0653.

A large portion of ticket sales have come from the students he’s inspired over the years. The public outpouring of support is evident on the “Purple Haze Page” on facebook that was created to provide regular updates from Hazel and encouraging thoughts from friends. It has more than 1,700 members.

“Scott is that teacher who is equally loved and admired by teachers and students alike. He’s given an incomparable amount of positive dedication to this community over the years. I’m so glad we have an opportunity to give back to him,” says event organizer and former Cedar Springs teacher, Cliffton Young.

Young is working with former Grand Valley football player stand out, former Lions player, and Detroit sports announcer, Rob Rubick, to assemble the Lions team. While the names of the Lions players will be released closer to the event, the Team Hazel roster is slated to include:

Players:

Buck Burnett, Cedar Springs Police Officer; Cedar Springs High School alumni

Heather Carlson, Cedar Springs High School Teacher

Don Carlson, Regal Financial

Roger Carr, Cedar Springs Elementary School Teacher

Pat Hillary, H20 Plumbing

Brooke Holt, Cedar Springs High School Teacher

Jeremy Plain, Cedar Springs Elementary School Teacher

Andy Secor, Cedar Springs Elementary School Principal

Ryan Smith, Argus Financial

Austin Thornton, former player Michigan State University basketball player; Cedar Springs High School alumni

Head Referee:

Dan Rypma Muskegon Community College Instructor, Cedar Springs resident

Come out and show your support Scott Hazel and enjoy a great game!