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January 25, 2012 - Vol. 106, No. 29
FHS FAN FRENZY! The Frankenmuth High School student section was recently chosen one of the top five in the state by the MHSAA. The Eagle faithful are in the “Battle of the Fans” contest through the MHSAA. (News photo)
FHS finalist in "Battle of the Fans" MHSAA contest
The genesis of the Frankenmuth High School student cheering section can be traced to the varsity boys’ basketball successes of the mid to late 2000s.
Over the past two seasons, the Eagle faithful have been over the top in their backing of the basketball team and to some extent, the varsity football team.
FHS is among five finalists who have been selected for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s inaugural “Battle of the Fans,” which will recognize the top student cheering section from among member schools. The initial Battle will culminate in a video presentation including all five finalists during this season’s girls’ and boys’ basketball finals at Michigan State University’s Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.
In addition to Frankenmuth, student sections from Reese, Rockford, Petoskey and Grand Rapids Christian were selected on a vote by the 16-member MHSAA Student Advisory Council. FHS senior Emily Wee is serving the second year of her two-year term on the council.
The MHSAA staff and the council organized the contest and will reward the best cheering section that best creates the positive and festive atmosphere made possible when students show enthusiasm, togetherness and sportsmanship while rooting for their team.
Frankenmuth was the first of the five schools to be visited during the second half of the season when two MHSAA officials and council members took in last Saturday night’s Eagle home game against Freeland, a 61-36 ‘Muth victory.
In recent weeks, the FHS students have chosen Christmas and Business Office as themes. Last Saturday, celebrating Frankenmuth’s unique German heritage was the underlying theme, with students wearing their lederhosen, dirndls, felt hats, flags, face paint and other costumes. The cheers were original and some with German flair.
Back in December, student sections were invited to submit a short video, via YouTube and Facebook, of their cheering sections in action. The holiday theme, which also included a bowling ally skit, were caught on tape.
Saturday’s section included FHS teacher Jason Paetz lending his DJ services to the event. The Chicken Dance was played at halftime as the students sang and danced their way in the middle of the floor, prior to the start of the second half.
Visiting fans cannot miss the student section as it is located at the main entrance to the FHS gym.
Video submissions also included explanations on how the section meets the following criteria: positive sportsmanship, sound volume, school spirit, originality of cheers, organization of the group and student section leadership. A total of 19 sections submitted videos by the deadline in early January.
FHS Athletic Director Jim Szur oversees the student section, stepping in when needed. For the most part, the students have been creative, courteous and very supportive of the Eagle teams.
“I would like to thank the student section for their enthusiasm, energy and spirit Saturday night. You were awesome,” Szur said in FHS Monday daily online bulletin. “That was truly a fun night. No matter what the MHSAA decides as to what school has the best Student Section, I believe it was Frankenmuth hands down. You are all winners in my book. Thank you for the continued support of athletics at Frankenmuth.”
“The Student Advisory Council decided to put its primary focus this past fall on a sportsmanship campaign that would engage and motivate student cheering sections throughout the state,” said Andy Frushour, MHSAA director of brand management and SAC advisor. “We’re thrilled with the level of participation and look forward to the coming months as we look to crown our first ‘Battle of the Fans’ champion.”
The MHSAA staff will produce videos from each stop on its tour of the finalists. One of the two MHSAA staffers in Frankenmuth last Saturday was Geoff Kimmerly, a FHS graduate. Kimmerly is the organization’s media & content coordinator.
The videos will be posted to the MHSAA’s Facebook page. An online vote February 20-23 will contribute in determining the winner.
On January 27, Grand Rapids Christian will host East Grand Rapids while Reese will entertain Cass City. FHS fans saw the Rockets’ exuberance during the varsity girls’ game in Reese January 16.
On February 3, Rockford will welcome Hudsonville. Rockford has one of the largest enrollments in the state with 2,587 students listed in the MHSAA 2011-12 school directory. Rockford is also home to former Frankenmuth football coach and alumnus Ralph Munger and his wife, Kathy.
Finally, the MHSAA staff will travel to Petoskey to see them in action against West Branch Ogemaw Heights.
The winner will be announced February 24.
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