Around the Big 16 Conference - Offseason Edition

2012 Offseason Updates

Big 16 Update - July 10, 2012

Another Big 16 School going to turf playing surface

Gull Lake will become the 4th member of the Big 16 Conference to install a sythetic turf football field. The school made the announcment last month that it will be paid for from a private fundraising drive that is not involved with their recent technology bond that passed at roughly the same time. Richland Stadium is notorius for having a poor field, you may remember St. Joe's 14-0 playoff win in 2005 in the mud pit of Richland Stadium. The Big 16 has synthetic surfaces at Battle Creek Central, Battle Creek Harper Creek, and Lakeshore. Like Lakeshore, Gull Lake also plays soccer on the football field, so the field tends to get mangled. The work is expected to be completed in mid August. The field will make it's football debut against Niles on August 24th.

Former Tiger returns home for camp
Former Benton Harbor and current Detroit Lion running back Joique Bell recently hosted a camp at Benton Harbor's Filstrup Field. About 150 players showed up for the afternoon camp. Bell told the Herald Palladium that he hopes to make it an annual event and bring more NFL players to help instruct. Bell's former college coach at Wayne State Paul Winters, Detroit Lions WR Lance Long, and DB Ross Williams also were there to help instruct.

Big 16 Updates - April 23, 2012

All Big 16 Coaching Positions have been filled.
There were 4 Big 16 Schools that made changes to their coaching staffs this past offseason.  Three of them were filled from within the existing coaching staffs.

Benton Harbor and Larry Jackson parted ways following the Tigers third straight 1-8 season.   Jackson's former JV head coach Derrick Randolf assumes the role as the Tigers head coach.  Randolf is a former player at Benton Harbor, went and played college football at Toledo.

Coldwater said goodbye to coach Norm Moran after he decided to leave and take the job at Eaton Rapids.  Jeff Schorfhaar, a longtime assistant coach in previous years, currently coaches the girls junior varsity basketball team and teaches at CHS. 

Battle Creek Central also hired from within after Doug Bess' departure as the Bearcats' head coach.  Lorin Granger has been on the Battle Creek Central staff for several years and has been the defensive coordinator for the Bearcats at the varsity level for the past.

The only Big 16 school that did not hire their coach frlom within the established coaching staff was Niles, and they made a huge splash in naming South Bend Washington's Antwon Jones as their head coach. Jones was a former player at Notre Dame under coach Lou Holtz he also turned the program at Washington around and took them to the Indiana state finals a year ago.

Big 16 Updates - February 12, 2012

Two more football head coaching vacancies
A few weeks have passed, but it was announced that Niles head football coach Danny Brawley has stepped down as coach of the Vikings, he will remain a coach at the school, but he takes over the head coach of the Niles golf team. This past week, Battle Creek Central's Doug Bess announced his resignation as head coach of the Bearcats. Bess took over after longtime coach Al Slammer resigned, Bess compiled a record of 4-23 over his three seasons.

Big 16 Updates - December 25, 2011

Realignment now complete
When the 2011 season ended, so did Jackson Lumen Christi's run in the Big 16 Conference. The Titans compiled a 58-14 record during their time in the Big 16, including the 2009 MHSAA Division 5 State Championship. Lumen Christi now rejoins the CAAC. The other completed change is Gull Lake, who's been taking part in all other Big 16 sports, now is a full time member of the Big 16. The Blue Devils went 3-6 last year under first year head coach Tim Hiller.

Coaching openings
There are now two head coaching vacacies in the Big 16. Larry Jackson at Benton Harbor stepped down after the last game of the Tigers season. Jackson went 3-24 in his three seasons with the Tigers. The Coldwater Cardinals are also in need of a new head coach, WTVB-AM 1590 and Coldwater's news paper (Moran leaves CHS; takes Eaton Rapids job). Norm Moran who compiled a 6-21 record has stepped down to take the head coaching position at Eaton Rapids.

Big 16 - Off Season news update

No Turf in Mattawan
A school improvement bond was up for consideration for voters in the Mattawan school district. As part of an $88 million project that would add classrooms, build a new elementary school, relocate two current athletic sites and convert the playing surface of Mattawan Stadium to an artificial surface. Voters rejected that bonding proposal by a could of 1,047-610. Currently there are four Big 16 sites that are artificial, Lakeshore, Battle Creek Central, Harper Creek, and Lumen Christi.

Coaching News
There were no head coaching changes during the past offseason (shocker). However the staff here at St. Joe will look a little different this upcoming season, Coach Ike Muhlenkamp will not be coming back to assist the Bears. Coming on board is Steve Graziano, if that name sounds familiar to some, it should... He previously has been the defensive coordinator for Denny Dock at Lakeshore high school.

Gull Lake coming, new coach as well, WMU's Teller
While it's been no secret about this move over the last few months, but in case you have not yet heard about it. But Gull Lake High School (Richland, MI) is being forced out of the Wolverine Conference and will become the 16th full time member of the Big 16 Conference. Gull Lake will take place in all Big 16 sports starting this fall EXCEPT football. Gull Lake will start Big 16 football in the 2012 season. Jackon Lumen Christi will play their final season in the Big 16 this season.

Realignment
Understandably with a change in the conference membership, there is a change in the alignment of the league's teams. The league has used a two division set up for football since 2009. Gull Lake will be placed in the East Division, replacing Lumen Christi. There is a change as well. The two Kalamazoo schools will be switching divisions, Loy Norrix will be in the West will be moved to the East, Kalamazoo Central was in the East and moves to the West. The two division set up with also be adopted for all sports starting this fall.

Niles... (no comment)
We will not be talking about the recent happenings at Niles high school.  But here are links to the stories from the Niles Daily Star in regards to an assistant football coach and 4 players from Niles 2010 team.  Complaint: Niles teens threatened to post video on Facebook and Cross Pleads Guilty.

New Portage Central High School
The new Portage Central high school is proceeding on schedule, and it will be ready to open this fall.  (Of course nobody can explain why there were no renovations, repairs, or upgrades to McCamley Field).

Portage Northern coach to coach MHSFCA All Star Game.
Portage Northern's Pete Schermerhorn has been selected to coach the West team at this year's MHSFCA all star game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.  Players representing the Big 16 are. Logan Mosher (OG, St. Joseph), Chris Laneaux (DB, Portage Northern), Jalon Hampton (RB, Kalamazoo Central), Dylan Arbanus (C, Portage Central), Connor Gould (C, Harper Creek), and TK Kubvoruno (WR, Gull Lake) (yes I know that Gull Lake wasn't in the Big 16 at that time).  The game will be on Saturday June 25, the time is still to be announced.

2010 Offseason Updates

Big 16 Updates - August 16, 2010

Former BH Football coach named interim Athletic Director

For the second time a former Tiger football coach steps into the role of Athletic Director at Benton Harbor.  Willie Wilson, who coached the Tiger football program in the 1990's takes over from another football coach, Larry Featherstone, who moved to Texas this summer.  Wilson officially is the interim Athletic Director.

Benton Harbor's Joique Bell scores for Buffalo in preseason NFL game.

Former Benton Harbor Tiger standout Joique Bell scored a 28 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Bills 42-17 loss at the Washington Redskins.  Bell finished the game as the Bills second leading rusher with 52 yards on 5 carries and a touchdown.

Bell's Touchdown

Big 16 Updates - August 12, 2010

Lights at Lakeshore are up

The lights at Al-Stockman Stadium are up... ok, that's it there.

Lakeshore play by play broadcaster wins election

Last Tuesday, Lakeshore play by play voice Al Pscholka won the Republican primary for the 79th District Michigan House of Representatives. Pscholka gained 65% of the Republican vote, challenger Paul Peterson was his next closest competitor with 20%.  Pscholka's victory may have some problems for his broadcasting future this season.  His challenger in the General Election, Democrat Mary Brown may not allow Pscholka to broadcast games in accordance with equal time election and campaign laws.  If Pscholka is not able to broadcast games, WSJM-FM will have to find a replacement for both Pscholka and analyst Denny Kniola.

Harvey retires... confirmed.

Saturday's Herald Palladium confirmed the news that Benton Harbor girls basketball coach Lou Harvey has retired.

Niles 7th grade coach passes

The entire St. Joe football staff wishes to express our condolences to the Niles Vikings football program.  John Brawley Jr., passed away on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.  Brawley was the Vikings' 7th Grade Coach at Ring Lardner Middle School in Niles.  John and his wife Pamela had two children, Quinn and Jake.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Brian Parker Memorial Foundation.  Brawley's brother Dan is the varsity coach for Niles.

Dock Suspended

By now you've seen the story in the newspapers about two Lakeshore coaches that were suspended by the MHSAA for violating MHSAA protocol.  Lakeshore Head Football Coach Denny Dock will miss the Lancers first game at Sturgis... that's all we will be saying about this.

Big 16 Updates - July 24, 2010

Work underway on the lights at Lakeshore

After a few months on speculating, work has finally begun on the lights at Al Stockman Stadium in Lakeshore.  The original wooden poles are being replaced with new structures with a concrete base.  The lights are also going to be installed behind the stands on each side providing better lighting in the stands and on the field.  The old lights are being acquired by the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds.... unfortunately not Niles.

Benton Harbor's soon to be Athletic Director

Within the turmoil that is the last few months of the Benton Harbor school board. one of the positions needing to be filled has been put on hold pending the formal hiring of a new Superintendent.  Freddie E. McGee was to be hired as the new athletic director at Benton Harbor during a school board meeting a few weeks ago, but the hiring was tabled because of the lack of legal authority of hiring him pending the resolution of Carole Schmidt's status as Superintendent.  Now that a new superintendent has been hired, the hiring of McGee should be a formality at the next meeting.    McGee is the principal of Fairplain Middle School.

Big 16 Updates - June 19, 2010

Shakeup in Benton Harbor Athletics


Larry Featherstone

Larry Featherstone has been around Benton Harbor High School for 16 years, he spent 6 seasons at the Tigers football coach from 2001-2006. But when former Athletic Director Jim Rutter decided to go into a new direction for the football program, Featherstone was dismissed as the coach.  But not long after Featherstone's dismissal as coach.  Rutter himself stepped down as AD and left for Lansing and Featherstone was promoted to Athletic Director.  Featherstone's three year reign as Tiger A.D. has come to an end with his resignation.  Featherstone will be moving to Texas along with his wife who got a job in the Austin area.  In three years under Featherstone, Benton Harbor won the 2009 Class A Girls Basketball State Championship.  However it also saw Benton Harbor winning 1 of 27 football games, under two different head coaches.


Lou Harvey

Another shakeup is the dismissal of the Tigers Athletic Department is the dismissal of Grishondra Hopkins, who served as Athletic Secretary.  While no official reason was given for the dismissal, unofficial reports have said that finances in the Athletic Department were mismanaged. 

The big shakeup has to do with the Girls Basketball program.  We've learned (but still have not officially confirmed) that coach Lou Harvey has also decided to step down, he is retiring after 21 seasons as coach.  No official word has been given either.  This comes a year before Harvey's two talented granddaughters will be entering high school.  The two sisters are a year apart are playing in Indiana.

Big 16 Updates - May 29, 2010

Administration Changes at two Big 16 Schools


Greg Younger

The Athletic Departments at two of the Big 16 Schools will be under new management for next season.  Lakeshore's Jim Sanford has spent the last 33 years at Lakeshore High School as athletic director, but spent almost 10 years before that as a coach in some capacity.  Sanford, 62, announced his retirement a few months ago.  The name of Lakeshore's replacement will sound familiar to the Big 16.  Greg Younger, the Athletic Director at Dowagiac High School will succeed Sanford as A.D.  Younger has spent the last six years at Dowagiac.  Younger, was a three sport athlete as a student at Dowagiac, including being the starting quarterback on Dowagiac's 1990 State Championship Football team.  Younger will be reunited with one of his coaches from his playing days at Dowagiac, Denny Dock was a the coach at Dowagiac for 1 season while Younger was playing for the Chieftains.


Jim Murray

The other change in the position of Athletic Director is at Portage Central, where Larry Edlund, also 62, will retire at the end of the season.  Edlund has spent the last 13 seasons as the P.C. A.D.  Edlund was an assistant coach/defensive coordinator at Western Michigan University from 1987-97.  Edlun has plans to evaluate NFL talent for the New Orleans Saints along with former WMU Al Molde this summer.  In fact not only is Edlund retiring, his athletic department secretary Gina Beatty is also retiring.   Portage didn't take very long in hiring Edlund's replacement.  Current Mustang Hockey Coach Jim Murray will assume the role as Athletic Director for the 2010-11 season, while continuing on as hockey coach.  He told the Kalamazoo Gazette that he will evaluate that again after next season.

Let there be lights

We've learned that Kohn-Lehman Field at Al Stockman Stadium in Lakeshore will be getting new lights in time for the 2010 season next fall.  The current ones are still the same lights that lit up the former Lancer Field, which was replaced by Al Stockman Stadium in 1998.  It' is not known if the new light structures will be behind the stadium or if they will continue to be near the front of the stadium.  Now if only Niles would get new lights!!!!!  We heard that Niles was expected to remove the 8 light poles in front of the stands at Viking Field in Niles that are the worst set of lights in the league, and move them to their soccer field in order the get new lights on the football field, but so far... nothing has happened there yet.

Big 16 Updates - May 7, 2010

New broadcast outlet for Niles high school sports

For years, Niles high school athletic events have been aired on the radio on WNIL-AM in Niles, but the world of radio has changed over the last decade, getting away from local content in favor of cheaper syndicated programming.  One of those casualties has been the local sports coverage of WNIL-AM in Niles.  One of the broadcasters from WNIL is filling that gap and taking it a step further than radio stations would.  Rob Clingamin has launched www.swmsports.net, which will cover sports in Niles, Buchanan, and Brandywine. 

Kalamazoo Central names new head coach

After the unexpected resignation of Lamanzer Williams as head coach in February, it meant that the Maroon Giants would be under their third different head coach in four seasons.  The vacancy has finally been filled as Dana Chambers takes the reigns of the Giants football program.  Chambers, 50, has over two decades of coaching experience at the college level.  Most of it coming at Western Michigan, he has roots in Kalamazoo as his daughter graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1993.   This will be Chambers first position as a head coach at any level.  Read the article from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

President Obama at Kalamazoo Central

The class of 2010 at Kalamazoo Central had a memorable year, but it might not be the basketball state championship that gets all the headlines.  It will be the keynote speaker at Kalamazoo Central's graduation ceremony... President Barrack Obama.   Kalamazoo Central won an online vote of about half a dozen schools from across the nation.   Vice President Joe Biden also visited the school a year ago.  Niles high school had a visit from President George W. Bush in May 2004.

Bonds pass at Big 16 Schools

While not entirely football related several Big 16 schools had bond proposals pass on Tuesday, Marshall's bond to redo parts of the football stadium and track passed, including a new weight room.  Obviously the bond at St. Joe passed, helping to provide energy efficiency and the latest in technology over the length of the bond.

Big 16 Update - April 25, 2010

Coaching Updates

Marshall high school officially named Jim Hendershot as their new Head Football Coach.  Hendershot takes over the reigns of the defending Division 4 State Championship football team.  Former Coach and Athletic Director Rich Hulkow left for Olivet College and took along four of his assistant coaches from his team at Marshall.  Hendershot was an assistant on the Redhawks Junior Varsity team this past season.

Meanwhile, Kalamazoo Central has still not named a new football coach to replace LaManzer Williams.  Admittedly Kalamazoo Central was a little preoccupied with their Basketball teams' Class A State Championship.  But the deadline for applications have long since come and gone.  Reports are that a Kalamazoo area coach was interested in the position and possibly has interview for the position, but nothing has been officially announced.

As for Portage Central... assistant coaches Mick Enders and Rick Smith are still in control of the Mustangs football program.

2010 MHSFCA All Star Game

The 2010 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All Star Game enters it's 30th year.  This year's game will be held on June 19th at 2pm at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.  For a second season in a row there will be a St. Joseph representative.  TE Michael Carter will be playing in the game.  Carter will be playing at Hillsdale next season.  There are two other Big 16 Schools represented.  Portage Northern tailback Antonio Hutchins and Portage Central Defensive Back Spencer Munson will also be suiting up for the West Team.  

BH's Joique Bell signed by Buffalo

Former Benton Harbor Tiger Joique Bell waited through 7 rounds and 255 players only to find out that he wasn't drafted by an NFL team.  But the Division 2 Player of the Year wasn't a free agent for long.  Moments after the draft, Bell was contacted by a number of teams but was signed by the Buffalo Bills to a three year deal.

Former Loy Norrix head coach passes at age 85

Bob Barringer, who coached the Loy Norrix football team from 1965-1973, passed away a few weeks ago in Mount Pleasant.  Barringer was the Knights second every head football coach.  Barringer played his high school football at crosstown rival Kalamazoo Central.  Barringer compiled a 31-46-2 record with the Knights, with his best years coming in 1967, going 7-2.

Big 16 Update - March 27, 2010

Coaching Updates

Normally in this time of the season, coaching positions are being or have been filled, not vacated.

Portage Central coach Brett Forester has tendered his resignation as the head coach of the Mustangs football program.  Portage Central Athletic Director Larry Edlund told the Kalamazoo Gazette. "He needs to take care of business ... health-related."

Forester was arrested and charged with drunk driving prior to the start of training camp last summer and was suspended for the Mustangs first four games of last season.   Two assistant coaches are running the team on an interim basis, Mick Enders (offense) and Rick Smith (defense) also ran the team during Forester's four game suspension.

Meanwhile there are still two Big 16 schools that have still not filled their vacant positions.  Kalamazoo Central still has not named a successor to Lamanzer Williams, although new coach is expected to be named following the Maroon Giants basketball season, KC is in the state finals once again.

Marshall has not "officially" named a replacement to Rich Hulkow, who took over as Head Coach at Olivet College.  Rumors and internet postings have said that an internal candidate Jim Hendershot will be named as head coach at an upcoming school board meeting by the Redhawks new Athletic Director Tom Duffey.  Hendershot was a coach for one of the Marshall underclass teams.

2011 Schedule Updates

We're learning more and more about the next round of the Big 16 schedule rotation.  A few teams have released their 2011 schedules, Lakeshore two non division games will be against Lakeview and at Harper Creek, Mattawan will host Kalamazoo Central at be at Coldwater, Kalamazoo Central will also host rival Loy Norrix in week 2.  St. Joe's two non conference games are reportedly against Battle Creek Central and Battle Creek Lakeview, the locations for those games have not been released yet.

Marshall Bond Proposal

Some work is being planned at Marshall high school's football stadium, originally there were plans to install a synthetic football field at the aging stadium as well as replace the broken track.  But plans have been scaled back.  Now the plans call for a resurfacing of the track and concrete work on the stadium walls.

Big 16 Update - December 28, 2009

ST. JOSEPH -- The 2009 season was a successful one for the Big 16 Conference.  The league had not one, but two football teams win State Championships this season.

Jackson Lumen Christi won the MHSAA Division 5 Championship with an easy 42-7 victory over Clare.  Connor Sullivan ran for two touchdowns, caught one touchdown pass, and threw two TD passes to Sam Ward.  The Titans' Rafe Bellers also became the first ever player in a MHSAA Championship game to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown. 

Jackson Lumen Christi has now won five Division 5 State Championships in the last decade and has made the championship game seven times in the last 10 seasons (2000-win, 2001-win, 2003-win, 2004-win, 2005-loss, 2007-loss, 2009-win).  The Titans also have three previous Class B titles in 1996, 1979, and 1977.

Marshall was the other Big 16 Conference team that ended the season with a state championship.  The Redhawks defeated Three Rivers 49-28 to win the Division 4 championship at Ford Field.  The win gives Marshall their second state championship in school history, the Redhawks last title came in 1996 (Class BB).  The Redhawks would fail to defend that title the next season as Marshall lost 19-12 to Ogemaw Heights in the 1997 Class BB Final.  Ironically, St. Joseph fell one game short of meeting Marshall in the 1997 finals as the Bears fell to Ogemaw Heights in the semifinals at Alma College.

Marshall will open defense of their 2009 State Championship on August 27th at St. Joseph.

Coaching Changes

After the game, Marshall Head Coach Rich Hulkow announced his resignation as the coach of the Redhawks.  Hulkow steps on a high note after almost losing his job as head coach before the 2009 season even started.  A heated school board meeting last April saw hundred or so residents show up to show their support for the coach.  The school board backed off of their stance on a possible coaching change.  Hulkow is not done coaching, nearby Olivet College has hired Hulkow as their new head coach.   Olivet went 0-10 last season.

Marshall was not the only Big 16 school to have a coaching change.  Battle Creek Lakeview coach Mark Gibbs stepped down following the Spartans 4th straight 5-4 season.  Gibbs went 34-31 during seven seasons on the sidelines.   Lakeview didn't have to look very far to find his replacement.  Assistant Coach Matt Miller was named as the Spartans head coach.  Miller also serves as Varsity track coach.

New Kickoff Times

Starting with the 2010 season, the Big 16 Conference will start every football game 30 minutes earlier than in previous seasons.  All of the Big 16 Conference games on Friday night will begin at 7:00 instead of 7:30.  The change affects varsity games only.  Freshman games will continue to begin at 4:30 and junior varsity games will continue to be played at 6:30.  The move was made to get teams home earlier following road games.

Benton Harbor's Joique Bell NFL Draft Bound

Former Benton Harbor running back Joique Bell won the Harlon Hill award which goes to the top player in Division 2 College Football while attending Wayne State.  Bell was automatically invited to play in the upcoming Senior Bowl.  ESPN's Todd McShay lists Bell as the top small college running back in this year's NFL draft.  Bell has the fifth most points in NCAA football history.  The 2010 NFL Draft will be held beginning on Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 (Round 1), Round 2 and 3 will be on Friday, April 23 starting at 6:30, and the final four rounds will be on Saturday, April 24th beginning at 10 AM.  The NFL Draft is held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.