By Judy Reed

Scotty Hazel, a teacher at Cedar Springs for 20 years, was loved by his students for his encouraging, selfless, and giving attitude. That legacy has lived on, even after his death last month from cancer.

Soon after his death in July, a Facebook page was created called “Random Acts of Hazel.” The intent is to honor Hazel by performing random acts of kindness and dedicating them to him. The page already has over 3100 members, and countless acts of kindness have been chronicled there. They even have t-shirts for sale that will benefit the Hazel children’s college fund.

One Cedar Springs grad honored Hazel last weekend by creating a beautiful tree with chalk art. One of Hazel’s poems, Remember Me, is written in the tree. Justin Balczak, a 2011 graduate, spent 12 hours bringing the tree to life on the side of the Edward Jones business in the strip mall on 17 Mile. You can see the whole process on YouTube by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJahTq0ceFA.

The random acts of kindness that people have performed are reaching everywhere. Some of the messages on the page are being left by people who experienced a Random Act of Hazel.

One woman wrote: “Today in Versailles, Kentucky my Dad and I were the recipients of a Random Act of Hazel in a drive thru Starbucks line. To the man in the silver truck who bought our coffee…thank you. Not so much for the coffee but for the adventure of finding out about Hazel, for finding this group, and for inspiring the acts of Hazel we hope to pass along. What a great man he must have been. My Dad, who is 85, said…now that is a legacy I would like to leave behind.”

A woman from Wisconsin said they were visiting their favorite Farmers Market in Muskegon, when a cute little boy held a beautiful bouquet of flowers out to her. “His mom said that he wanted me to have the flowers. I was so touched and could not believe it. Then he handed me a note that explained Random acts of Hazel! What a blessing! We are from Wisconsin and were leaving the next day so I decided to gift the flowers to someone else. A wonderful young couple with small children were walking toward us and I decided this mom might really enjoy the flowers as much as I did so I gave them to her. I explained about the little boy and gave her the note. She was thrilled as I was and said I made her day! What a wonderful feeling! Thank you Random Acts of Hazel! You are now expanding to Wisconsin!”

Another woman wrote that she was buying groceries in Grandville, and had left her debit card at home. The woman behind her told her she wanted to pay for her groceries, as a Random Act of Hazel.

A family from Holland, Michigan heard about Random Acts of Hazel and decided to come to Cedar Springs after church Sunday to see the chalk art tree. They spent time in both Cedar Springs and Rockford, picked up some RAH t-shirts, a copy of Hazel’s book, and then performed some Random Acts of Hazel in Grand Rapids. “It was lots of fun to pop quarters in candy machines to give others a free turn, play some arcade games and then give the tickets to a young boy to turn in, and tip our servers a little extra and tell them we greatly appreciated their service. It will be fun to continue to think of ways to bring a smile to the faces of others. I’m looking forward to reading his book and seeing more about the kind of man he was to leave such a legacy behind,” she said.

T-shirts with encouraging sayings from Scotty Hazel can be bought at Main Street Restaurant in Cedar Springs, and Aunt Candy’s Toy Company in Rockford.

To read more about the Random Acts of Hazel being performed, search for Random Acts of Hazel on Facebook.

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!