By Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Mark Uyl, Executive Director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association

We communicate on smart phones, drive smart cars, make purchases using smart cards and even drink smart water. But, really, how smart are we?

 Between college admission and Internet privacy scandals, sexual misconduct investigations, stolen trade secrets and the growing concern about how we communicate and connect with each other, technology seems to be outpacing our capacity to understand the most responsible way to use it.  

 In other words, how are tomorrow’s leaders being prepared to make decisions that provide the perspective, balance and strength of character that today’s advanced world needs?   

 The answer is by participating in high school sports like the ones offered by the high schools in Michigan. 

Most researchers agree that leaders are made, not born, through relationships with others. Human interaction and life experiences enable young men and women to develop leadership characteristics such as trust, mutual respect, integrity and accountability. These are the same values that are learned as a result of playing on a high school sports team. 

And while club sports often have only a singular focus (the participant’s athletic abilities), research documents that high school sports programs have an unparalleled positive effect on the physical, academic and emotional growth of teens, including a more mature level of character development.

In other words, high school sports have a more profound role to play in society today than you may realize.

The high school sports and activity programs in Michigan—including music, speech, theatre and debate—typically account for only about 1 to 3 percent of a school’s overall budget, making them one of the wisest investments your community makes. You can help by attending as many games and events as possible, donating to the booster club and volunteering to work in the concession stand.  

Most of all encourage your children to participate in as many sports and activities as they can. Because when they do, they will be joining a new generation of leaders who are both technologically smart and ethically responsible.

And that’s exactly the kind of leadership our hyper-intelligent world needs.

The CSMS Wrestlers won a hard earned victory against the Allendale Falcons, winning 46 to 45, and against the Comstock Park Panthers, winning 39 to 33.

Allendale took an early lead with our Red Hawks battling back with every move made. Our young Red Hawks see-sawed back and forth with the Panthers the entire meet.  Coach Bill Van Ham stated, “I am very happy with this young team. They came together as a team to come back from behind and get the win.”

“This year’s team has 11 seventh-graders, most with little experience,” said Assistant Coach Brandon Wood. “This young team showed a lot of heart, coming back from a huge deficit.”

Please come and support our grapplers at their home meets on 2/09, 2/23, 3/01 and 3/08. Start time is 4:15 p.m. at the Middle School. 

Perseverance is paying off for Cedar Springs Youth wrestlers. Photo by J. Troupe.

By Jacquie Troupe

Cedar Springs Youth Wrestlers had an exciting opportunity to compete in the GVSU fieldhouse Sunday, February 7, at the GVSU Open and Novice Tournament. Fourteen youths competed in 41 matches, winning 18 and eight wrestlers placing in the top 4. According to Coach Marsman, perseverence in practice is paying off with his wrestlers winning matches against some of their toughest opponents. 

First place champions were Jonathan Libera in the 61lb 4-6 year old All Division, Blake Falan in the 58lb 7-8 year old Novice Division and Logan Troupe in the 85lb 11-12 year old Novice Division.

Second place finisher was Blake Pickard in the 80lb 9-10 year old Novice Division.

Third place finishers were Brandson Wood in the 49lb and Hudson Crystal in the 72lb 7-8 year old Open Divisions.

4th Place finishers were Gavyn Byxbe in the 67lb 7-8 year old Open Division and Trevor Marsman in the 75lb 11-12 year old Open Division.

By Mark Uyl, Asst. Director, MHSAA

Be the Referee is a weekly message from the Michigan High School Athletics Association that is designed to help educate people on the rules in different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Make The Call – Missed Field Goal 

Let’s get everyone in “football game shape” with the following You make the Call.

One team has the chance to kick a 50-yard field goal just before halftime. As the kicker approaches the ball being held at the 40-yard line, his plant leg slips and the kick comes up well short and wide, and it rolls out of bounds at the 4-yard line. Under high school rules, where will the team that forced the bad kick next snap the ball?

Believe it or not, under high school rules, missed field goals that roll out of bounds before reaching the goal line are treated just like a punt! The new offense will put the ball in play, first and 10, from the 4-yard line.

From the American Red Cross

Back to school also means back to practice for thousands of student athletes and coaches. The American Red Cross has training and resources available for people to learn how to treat a variety of emergencies and injuries that may occur throughout the sports season.

“School and neighborhood coaches, athletes and spectators should know how to help prevent and respond to common sports injuries such as strains and sprains, fractures, cuts and concussions,” said Kelly Hudson, Regional Communications Officer for the American Red Cross of West Michigan.

Safe Kids Worldwide reports that every 25 seconds a child is hurt playing sports and that more than 1 million emergency room visits are made due to sports injuries each year. Sports injuries account for about 20 percent of all injury-related emergency room visits for young people, according to their study.

Red Cross has developed a number of resources for everyone involved in sports and recreational activities:

First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches is an online program for teens and adults who coach at any age level. Developed with the National Federation of State High School Associations, this course covers first aid skills including breathing emergencies and injuries to muscles, bones and joints. Coaches are encouraged to take a CPR/AED course as well.

Family First Aid and CPR is an online course for those not required to have OSHA-compliant certification. Participants learn how to treat cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies until help arrives. Pediatric modules are also available.

American Red Cross First Aid App is a free app for smart phones and tablets. It gives users instant access to information on how to handle the most common first aid situations.

Information on courses and additional resources are available at redcross.org. A variety of Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross, or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

“Heat can be especially hazardous to anyone exercising or playing outdoors this time of year. People should avoid scheduling workouts and exercise during the hottest times of the day,” added Hudson. “Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.”

For more information on how to give, get trained or get involved with the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Shae Brophy

By Judy Reed

A 2005 Cedar Springs graduate is beginning to live a dream that he didn’t even know he had.

Shae Brophy, 24, who currently lives in Grand Rapids, won a contest to help host the Huge Show with Bill Simonson, for a day last year. He met another college student, Aaron Smith, of Caseville, Michigan, who also won the chance, and the two worked with Simonson on the show. “Bill is a big name in our industry and it was very exciting to work with him for a day,” explained Brophy.

After that, Brophy went back to Colorado Springs where he had been attending school. But that didn’t stop him and Smith from talking through emails and texts about creating their own show. And then last fall, “Sports Now! With Smitty and Shae” was born, at blogtalkradio.com.

“We decided that this is something we both want to do because of our immense passion for sports,” explained Brophy. “Being able to talk about all things happening in the world of sports, as well as making different connections in the industry, has quickly made me realize that this is something I want to do with my life.”

One thing that makes the show unique is that the day on the Huge Show is the only time that Brophy and Smith, his on-air co-host, have ever met. But it hasn’t been an issue. “We exchange numerous phone calls and text messages everyday talking about different things happening in the sports world, as well as preparing for our show,” Brophy noted.

The show airs Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m. He said they don’t really have a format for the show, but if they have an interview lined up, they usually air it at 9:15. Some of the guests they have had include: Barry Melrose (former NHL player and head coach, works for ESPN right now), Mario Impemba (Detroit Tigers play by play voice), Dan Miller (Detroit Lions play by play voice), Trevor Thompson (Fox Sports Detroit reporter), Cameron Bradfield (current Jacksonville Jaguar, former stand out at Grand Valley), and former MSU Spartan and Cedar Springs Red Hawk, Austin Thornton.

They also try to cover the main stories going on not only in Michigan sports, but nationwide as well. The duo plans to continue on the same track, getting big name interviews, providing great content, and expanding their fan base.

Brophy is no longer attending college in Colorado Springs. Instead, he moved back to West Michigan to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and will take classes at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall.

“As for a career, I would love to make a living on the radio,” said Brophy. “One of our goals with the radio show is to end up working for ESPN in the future. They have many different radio opportunities, and we feel like our hard work now will pay off in the future.”

Brophy said he would be seeing Smith again in the near future. “I will be competing in an MMA (mixed martial arts) fight on April 28 for Ground n Pound Promotions at Klackle Orchard. That will be the 2nd time I have ever met my co-host, as he is going to be in attendance,” he explained.

Besides listening to the show on blogtalkradio.com, people can like their page on Facebook. Search “Sports Now! with Smitty and Shae.”

Including $54,000 from sports

By Judy Reed

Nothing was sacred this year as Cedar Springs Public Schools looked at ways to cut expenses next year by $2 million, and at the same time found ways to increase their revenue.
Several parents turned up at the Board of Education meeting Monday to voice displeasure that certain sports did not receive funding in the budget. At risk is JV girls golf, JV boys golf, JV baseball, JV softball, girls freshman soccer, and middle school tennis. According to Assistant Superintendent David Cairy, athletic supervisor Autumn Mattson came up with a list of sports where participation levels are low and interest has dropped. “If we have enough interest in a sport, we’ll find a way to do it,” explained Cairy. “We are all about providing opportunities for kids. But if we don’t get enough to sustain it, that’s a problem.”
Board President Joe Marckini and other board members echoed that sentiment. “We were stunned at some of the numbers falling off, especially girls soccer,” said Marckini. “If you get the numbers, I’ll support it.”
Overall, the school cut funding for athletics by $54,125, which also included reductions in supplies, uniforms, and coaches.
Several parents complained that they feel communication on the subject was poor, and that the coaches in the sports didn’t even know their sports were at risk.
“Sports are very important to us, too,” board trustee Todd Hanson told parents. He noted that they also cut technology, and that with fewer teachers, that means increased class sizes, “which no one wants,” he said. He also noted academics are at risk. “We also may not have AP Biology because of low interest,” he said.
The biggest cuts in next year’s budget came from staff reductions: $1 million in teaching staff that retired (12) and won’t be replaced, and $200,000 in support staff (7) that were laid off. They also cut $250,000 in technology, $100,000 in curriculum, and various other service reductions to meet their $30.7 million budget, including using $182,700 from their fund balance.
On a high note, because the school has been getting their fund balance up to a recommended level of 14 percent, they will not need to borrow money this summer—for the first time in many years—to meet payroll, which equals several million dollars. Although the school’s fiscal year starts July 1, the state’s fiscal year doesn’t start until October, causing a gap in payments.
Increases in revenue will also come from sharing services with other districts. Cairy is now also business manager for Kent City schools. He is contracted through Kent Intermediate School District, who will manage the funding. Cedar Springs also continues to share a transportation supervisor with Sparta, and will be doing some bus runs for them where the districts cross lines. They also share some other business services at the KISD.
One big change for next year will be that New Beginnings students will move into Red Hawk Elementary. Cairy said they will be two schools within one building, and will be separated. “It’s not like they don’t see each other, because they already ride the bus together and park at Red Hawk to be released,” noted Cairy. There is plenty of room, because just a few years ago there were 700-plus students at Red Hawk, and currently only a little over 200. Cairy said they will save about $40,000 by moving New Beginnings there from Hilltop–$30,000 in custodial fees, and $10,000 in natural gas from not having to heat that wing.
“We are trying so hard to do anything we can in the business office to be good stewards, so that kids don’t have to miss opportunities,” he remarked.
High Schoolers might also see a bump up in lunch prices from $2.25 to $2.50 but it has nothing to do with the budget. Rather, it’s mandatory to meet federal guidelines.

The Creative Technology Academy cross country team competed in two challenging meets this past week. On Saturday, August 29, the team traveled up to Benzie Central High School to participate in the “Eldon Moss Cross Country Invitational” and on Wednesday, September 2, the Kent City Coed 10k Relay Invite.

“This was an intense week of cross country for the team,” said Coach Gerry Verwey.  “Saturday’s meet featured 17 schools, many of whom were state championship contenders.  Wednesday’s meet pitted us against six other schools much larger than our own, including some division one competition.”

At the Benzie Central Invitational, freshman Grace VanEnk broke the girl’s school record in a time of 23:57, only to have senior Erin Willis break that mark, the following Wednesday, at Kent City with a time of 23:48. The Charger girls team features a dynamic top three with VanEnk, Willis, and twin Ashton Willis, that any new program would dream to have. Along with freshman Esther Hubbard and senior Cassie Dille, the Lady Chargers are looking to really turn some heads this season. “The girls have really come together as a team after the Benzie meet and have set their sights on some big teams and big goals,” added Coach Verwey.

The girls finished 9th at the Benzie Invite with 224 points, one point behind Lake City.

The boy’s squad also found success at Benzie. All seven of the runners ran new personal best times, with the top four all within 13 seconds of each other. They placed 10th out of 18 teams competing. The boys were lead by strong performances from junior Kyle Biddlecome and senior CJ Bouck.  “Kyle and CJ are looking the strongest I’ve ever seen them, noted Verwey. “They are definitely showing that they will not back down during a race.”

CTA’s upcoming competitions include the Big Red Invite at Muskegon on September 12 and a meet at Tri County on September 15.