About Saginaw County Sports’ Board of Directors

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Jeffrey Cottrell 2012

PRESIDENT ​

JEFFREY COTTRELL

Jeffrey Cottrell has been a lifelong Saginaw resident. While in his youth, he played many sports. He excelled at football and was a decent hurdler as well for the Vikings of Swan Valley. Jeff didn't stay in Saginaw the whole time though, he spent a few years in Mount Pleasant getting a degree from Central Michigan University and graduated in 2003. Over the past few years, he has become involved in football again. He coached at Saginaw High for five years.

As the Multimedia Specialist for the Historical Society of Saginaw County, he regularly helps on the acquistions committee and has prepared the exhibits relating to sports. He has also done an exhibit about football in the county as well.

Jeff is married to Haley Cottrell and they have two daughters. He serves as a member of the Saginaw Downtown Lions Club and was recently the president.

 
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Sharon Bade 2013

VICE PRESIDENT

Sharon Bade 2013

Sharon Sanders was a three-sport athlete at Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, earning 10 varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and track.  She was a three-time Saginaw News All-Area first team selection in volleyball.  She helped lead Eisenhower to a Class B state runner-up finish in 1979 and a State Championship in 1980 as a first team All-State selection. She received first team All-Conference honors all four years.  In basketball Sanders was a two- time Saginaw News All-Area first team selection and a two-time first team All-Conference selection.  She was named team MVP her junior and senior seasons as she averaged 17 points-per-game.  In track, she holds the Eisenhower school record for the 200-meters, 400-meters and the long jump and qualified for the state meet in four events her senior year.  During her career at Ike she was named first team All-White Pine Conference 10 times.  Sanders received a full volleyball scholarship to Ferris State University where she earned Ferris States first volleyball NCAA Division II All-American honors twice.  She was named Bulldog of the Year in 1984 and Female Athlete of the Year in 1985.  She led Ferris to a 48-3 record in her senior year and was a three-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference selection (1982, ’83, ’84), and a two-time selection to the NCAA All-Tournament team.  She holds the Ferris record with 1,440 assists in a season, while compiling 4,954 for her career.  FSU won three consecutive conference titles and the Bulldogs were 150-45 in her four years.  She was Ferris State’s captain for two years (1983 and ’84) and MVP three consecutive years (1982, ’83, ’84).  Sanders, a member of the Ferris State University Sports Hall of Fame, would go on to a successful volleyball coaching career, racking up an impressive 530-219-39 record.  She is one of only 27 coaches in the State of Michigan to receive 500+ wins.  In 2004-05, she was the Saginaw News Dream Team Coach of the Year and the state’s Regional Coach of the Year in 2007.  Since 2006, Sharon Bade has qualified for the Boston Marathon eight consecutive years, completing the marathon seven times.  

 
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​​SECRETARY

Greg Mallek

 

 
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Lori Trumble 2022

TREASURER​

LORI WEBER TRUMBLE

Lori Weber Trumble was born in Saginaw, MI in 1969 and grew up in Frankenmuth, MI.  She attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Frankentrost, MI.  She was involved in sports since the 5th grade both competitive and neighborhood pickup.  She attended Frankenmuth High School where she was involved in volleyball and track.  She is a 1988 graduate of FHS.
Since graduation Lori has been working in the automotive industry.  Working for Zehnder Chevrolet Buick for over 20 years and since 2010 has been employed with Garber Management Group.
She has been involved with recreational volleyball and women’s modified softball since graduation until the birth of her daughter Elizabeth in 2003.  Coaching Area 22 Special Olympics swim team along with taking a group of them to Mt Pleasant for summer games.  For the last 20 years she has been involved with Immanuel Frankentrost Living Nativity.  Volunteering other hours to the Summer Music festival as well as the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest.  She continues to be an avid sports fan and very much enjoys college basketball and football, professional baseball and hockey.
Lori, along with her husband Dave, of 26 years and her daughter Elizabeth reside in Saginaw Township.

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Craig Atkins 2022

DIRECTOR ​

Craig Atkins

Craig Atkins is a lifelong Saginaw County resident having graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1977. During high school, he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. After high school, he attended Central Michigan University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Administration in 1980.

 

After graduation from CMU, he was hired as Parks and Recreation Director in Bridgeport and stayed there until being hired in Frankenmuth as their Parks and Recreation Director in 1981. While in Frankenmuth, he hosted many State Tournaments in Softball (slow pitch and fast pitch). He wrote many grants for the Parks and Recreation Department. He started and hosted the Frankenmuth Sports Fest, The Art Fire Muster, and the 1998 and 1999 Senior Olympics.

 

He left Frankenmuth in 1999 to become New Lothrop Athletic Director. New Lothrop had a very successful run while he was A.D. winning 12 state titles in wrestling, baseball, football, girls’ basketball and volleyball in 16 years.

 

Craig retired in July 2016, but was called back several times to fill in as A.D. while filling in, they won another state title, totaling 13 state titles as New Lothrop A.D.

In 2020, he was inducted into the Frankenmuth Softball Hall of Fame after competing in softball for 34 years. He was also inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in New Lothrop.

 

Prior to going to New Lothrop, he was a high school official. After leaving New Lothrop, he got back to officiating high school sports.

Craig is married to Kim, and they have two sons, Ben (Cathy), Andy (Miranda), and a grandson, Dexter.

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Lola Barry 2008

DIRECTOR

LOLA BERRY

Lola is a life-long sports fan who has instilled a love of athletic competition in her children and grandchildren. Well versed in most sports and recognized by coaches as an involved and motivated parent. Trained as a Registered Nurse and served in many military and civilian leadership positions

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Bud Butler 2001

DIRECTOR

WILLIE BUD BUTLER

Bud Butler is a lifelong resident of Saginaw. He attended Central Junior High School and Graduated in 1957 from Saginaw High School. Bud also attended Delta College. While in High School he played football and track. Bud lettered 3 times in track and 2 times in football. Bud retired from Delphi Steering Systems after 28 years of service.

Bud is a lifelong sport fan and has played Knothole Baseball and City League Basketball. He is married to Dorthy and they have two daughters and one son. Bud is one of the founding members of the Saginaw county sports Hall of Fame and is the Key organizer for our successful banquet each year.

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Keith D. Clark 2007

DIRECTOR

KEITH CLARK

Keith was born in Saginaw on January 7, 1948. He is a life-long resident of Saginaw County. He graduated from Merrill Community Schools in 1966. While attending Merrill High School, he earned 11 varsity letters - four in baseball, three in basketball, two in football and two in track.

An outstanding athlete, he was awarded Central Michigan League All-Conference honors in football and basketball, and Class C All-Area in football and basketball. He was also Merrill’s MVP in basketball his senior season.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University, Keith returned to his alma mater and taught English, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education. During this time he also coached varsity football and basketball from 1977-82. Keith later became principal of Merrill Schools in 1987, retiring in 2000 as Merrill School principal.

Since retiring, he has returned to his first love – teaching. Keith worked with disadvantaged and troubled youth at the Saginaw County Transitional Center and is currently a teacher at HealthSource of Saginaw in the Adolescent Psychiatric unit. He retired for the “third” time in June of 2007.

Keith resides in Merrill with wife Carol, also a Merrill native. They have three grown daughters, Andrea, Jennifer and Meghan, all graduating from Central Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University. Keith enjoys golf, watching sporting events, fishing, and attending his two grandson’s baseball games in Hemlock.

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Jim Couture 2019

DIRECTOR ​

Jim Couture

Jim was born September 15, 1960 in Superior Wisconsin and moved with his family to Saginaw  in 1965. He attended Elementary and High School at St Stephen’s along with his 3 siblings, where he lettered in Football and Basketball. After high school he attended Ferris State University from 1978 – 1982.

After college Jim worked in the retail industry for 20yrs with JC Penney, Dunham’s Sporting Goods and Michael’s Arts & Crafts. He and his family moved around the Midwest from Pittsburg PA, Kansas City MO and several Michigan towns. Jim opened the Saginaw Dunham’s store in 1988 and Michael’s in 1993. Jim found his way back to Saginaw in 1999 and for the past 16 yrs he has worked for Chase Bank and a Branch Manager, District Manager and currently as a Business Relationship Manager working with Small business owners in Saginaw and Flint.

Jim has been involved in coaching his 2 sons in all the sports they participated in, from the early stage of T-ball to Jr High Basketball. This was at 3 different schools as he moved around. He was also involved in all of the Athletic Associations at those schools and was President of the Nouvel Catholic High Athletic Boosters for 2 years and on the board for 6 years. He was also the Chairman of the Parish Council for 3 years at St Stephen’s Parish and currently a member of the Knights of Columbus 4323.

Jim has 2 son’s James and Kyle. Both graduated from Nouvel Catholic Center High School. James lettered in Football and Wrestling. He was a member of the 2003 State Finalist Football team as a Jr and one of the Captains of the 2004 Football team that went to the State Semi Finals. James went on to play football at Alma college and was voted one of the Captains his Sr year. James currently lies in Lansing MI. Kyle lettered in Football and was a member of the 2006 State Championship Team. He attended Western Michigan for 2 years then transferred to the Kansas City Art Institute where had got his degree in Animation. Kyle currently lives in Kansas City.

Jim lives in Saginaw Township with his wife of 35 years, Dawn.

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Don Cox 2006

DIRECTOR

​Don Cox​

Born and raised in Saginaw County, Don attended Saginaw Public Schools through eighth grade before moving to Freeland where he graduated in 1977.   He attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale,  earning a degree in photography in 1981.  
Growing up during the period when the Saginaw Recreation Department flourished, Don participated in many sports, winning a city championship in 1970 for 11 and under Butch Softball. 
Don has one son (Brandon) and 28 nieces and nephews. He has helped coach many of their youth teams through the years. 
His love of sports history was passed down from his father James B. Cox and older brothers Ken and Jerry.   His father was a member of the Saints Peter & Paul undefeated and un-scored upon football team in 1937.   His dad helped build the press box at the old SSPP field on Sweet Street. 
Don was employed for many years in photography related businesses and spent 10 years as sports editor for The Township Times.  Since 2017 he has been a professional driver and currently provides transportation for medical appointments. 
He has attended every Hall of Fame banquet and provides photography for our events.  Previously, he has served on the selection committee, new home committee and served as past chairman of banquet advertising.

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Alexia Houpis 2021

DIRECTOR

​Alexia Houpis

Alexia Economou Houpis, is a Saginaw native, and graduated from Heritage High School in 1992 where she played both Basketball and Golf. Both sports and education have been an integral part of Alexia’s life. 
Alexia graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 1996, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/English. She then attended Central Michigan University and received a graduate degree in Post Secondary Education in 1999. Alexia obtained a second graduate degree from Central Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Clinical/School Counseling in 2009. She taught at Freeland High School from 1999 to 2009, teaching U.S. History, English and Yearbook along with a variety of clubs she participated in as an advisor. She was selected as Saginaw County’s Saginaw Spirit Most Spirited Teacher of the Year in 2005, and won the Saginaw News 2008 Crystal Apple Teacher of the Year award. Alexia is currently a School Counselor at Arthur Hill High School, a position she has held since 2012.  She helps students develop academic and social skills needed to succeed, personally and professionally. Alexia is the liaison for the NCAA Clearinghouse, guiding scholar athletes through the recruitment process and ensuring they are prepared for the academic side of college level sports.
Alexia is an executive board member of the Saginaw Greek Festival, having been the Chairperson for 11 years. She has volunteered as a friend of the Mid Michigan Children’s Museum for the last 5 years.  Alexia leads Becca’s Closet at AHHS, which is a national non profit organization that donates prom dresses for students in need. She will be part of the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce Leadership Saginaw Class of 2022.
Alexia lives in Saginaw Township with her husband Evan and their children Georgia and Constantine. She is an avid fan of Lumberjack sports, and loves cheering on her former students who play at the collegiate level and beyond, along with cheering for her children who participate in Saginaw Township recreational softball, North Little League baseball, and Sugar Beets Football.

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Luke Hendrick 2022

DIRECTOR

Luke Hendrick

Luke Hendrick is currently the Vice-President and Director of Field Operations at R.C. Hendrick & Son, Inc. He graduated from Nouvel Catholic Central in 2006 and was a three-sport athlete participating in basketball, golf, and tennis. He was a four year Varsity Letter Award winner in both golf and tennis, earned a 16th place finish in the golf State finals, and was a State semifinalist his senior year in tennis. Luke played two years of Varsity basketball and as a senior averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting 43 percent from three-point distance. He was named Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State and played on four American Youth Basketball Tour national championship teams with the Tri-City Storm.

After high school, Luke attended The University of Dayton (2006-2010) where he played basketball. He spent four seasons with the Flyers as UD compiled a four-year record of 94-43. The Flyers reached the second round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament and won the 2010 NIT Championship over North Carolina. Luke played in 10 games as a senior, including appearances against Illinois State, Cincinnati, and North Carolina at Madison Square Garden during the Flyers' run to the NIT Championship.

After his own basketball career, Luke continued his passion at Western Michigan University as the Director of Basketball Operations. He spent three seasons with the Broncos and assisted with all of the day-to-day operations of the program, organized team travel, planned and coordinated all summer camps, and supervised the team's corps of managers.

In 2013 at the age of 25, Luke returned to Saginaw and became the head coach of the Swan Valley Varsity basketball team. In his first year, he took the Vikings to the Regional Finals for the first time in school history. In 2017, he was named MLIVE Saginaw News Boys Coach of the Year and Luke finished his stint at Swan Valley in 2019 with back-to-back conference championships.

Luke is married to Danielle Hendrick and has three girls: Emerson, Adalynn, and Lillian. He is currently the secretary on the Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum Board and loves giving back to his community. Luke is part of a 5th generation of family workers at R.C. Hendrick & Son, Inc., the oldest family owned construction company in the state of Michigan. They offer a full range of construction services to clients all over the state in the areas of industrial, commercial, health care, education, and religious construction projects.

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John Morey 2014

DIRECTOR

JOHN MOREY

John is a lifelong resident of Saginaw. Born in 1963 he attended South Intermediate School and Graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1981. John was a Letterwinner in Football, Baseball and Hockey at AHHS. He was a member of the 1979 Arthur Hill High School Hockey Team that won the Saginaw Valley League Championship. Attending Ferris State College from 1981-1985, he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon(TKE) fraternity, Graduating with a Degree 
in Survey Engineering.

    Growing up in Saginaw he was a member of many youth athletic teams. Drawn to swimming where his father Don, was the Swim Coach at AHHS in the 60’s & 70’s. Many swim meets at the YMCA and South School where butterfly was his specialty. Summers were fill with Baseball and Softball, winning many league and tournament Championships for Nickodemus Oil, Bourdow Trucking, Michigan Tavern, Ewalds Bar and many teams sponsored by the Scottish Inn.

 John is married to Cynthia and has two children, Cassidy & Lara . He has been a Board Member of the Arthur Hill Letterwinners for 20 years, and is the 2015 President of the Fordney Club of Saginaw. He is the Owner of D&M Site inc. a Survey and Engineering Firm
​ ( formerly RC Engineering/ Wilcox Engineering ) in Saginaw. Located at 401 Balsam Street in Carrollton, Mi. The Firm specializes in Civil Engineering Developments, Subdivisions and Land Survey’s.

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Pamela Mossner 2015

DIRECTOR ​

PAMELA O'CONNELL MOSSNER

Pamela Kay O’Connell Mossner , a lifelong resident of Saginaw County,  attended Weber Junior High for kindergarten, and then St. Casimir’s until sixth grade. She then moved to Frankenmuth with her family in 1976, and attended Frankenmuth Middle School and Frankenmuth High School. She graduated from FHS in 1982. Pam played softball all throughout her childhood. It was her favorite sport to play and she was very competitive. Most of her games were played at Hoyt Park. While in high school, she played softball for three years (1 year J.V. and 2 years varsity) as a pitcher. From high school until 2004, she played on various women’s softball teams. She also coached from 2000-2004. Due to her children playing sports, Pam stopped playing and coaching the women’s league and began coaching her kids teams. She coached volleyball, softball, and soccer. She then stopped coaching them because they began playing AAU sports and that required a lot of traveling. She also met her husband, Jeffrey in high school. They started dating when she was sixteen, and have been together ever since. They just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary this year as well. She is employed with Frankenmuth Credit Union as an Event Coordinator for Uptown North Main and RAM Productions as the event coordinator for the Frankenmuth Summer Music Fest & Frankenmuth Oktoberfest.  Pam is the Outreach Chairman at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville, a committee member for Frankenmuth Corn Maze, Living Nativity and Passion Drama. She loves to help people with various fundraisers too.  She currently resides in Frankenmuth with her husband Jeff.  Pam has two daughters both married and three granddaughters.  

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Al Pettyplace 2014

DIRECTOR

AL PETTYPLACE

Al Pettyplace is a lifelong Saginaw area resident having graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in 1960 where loved sports, especially football. He played four years of varsity and was Freshman MVP, Team MVP as a senior, 1st Team All Conference twice, 1st Team All State and eventually inducted into Sts. Peter & Paul’s Athletic Hall of Fame. 
In college, he was a starter as a freshman at Augustana, but then transferred to Hillsdale. He started there as an offensive lineman for three years under legendary Coach Muddy Waters. He was named an All State Collegiate Team player his senior year. Professionally, Al was an All-Star with the Flint Blue Devils and signed with the Houston Oilers of the AFL. He played for the Toronto Rifles of the United Football League in Canada, the Grand Rapids Blazers, and turned down a tryout with the Chicago Bears. 
Opting next for coaching and teaching, he led St. Charles High School to a #7 ranking in the state of Michigan in 1973. He assisted Muddy Waters in starting the Saginaw Valley State University football program in 1974 (through 1977) and next led Carrollton High School to its first ever conference title in 1978. He had coaching stints at Sts. Peter & Paul, MacArthur, Heritage, and Birch Run High Schools and Eastern Michigan University, as well. 
Al has lived in the Birch Run countryside over 20 years with wife June, having raised boys Devin and AJ, and is now retired.

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Clifton Ryan

Clifton Ryan 2019

DIRECTOR

Clifton Ryan​ CLASS OF 2017

Clifton Ryan was born February 18, 1984, in Saginaw. He attended St. Stephen’s Middle School before winding up at Arthur Hill High School where the 2002 graduate was a solid three-sport athlete. Ryan earned eight varsity letters in football (3), basketball (3) and track and field (2). The two-time captain was one of the most dominating defensive players in the history of Arthur Hill football. In a Saginaw News poll, he was selected as a member of Arthur Hill’s all-time football team, and as the school’s best-ever football player. He recorded 310 tackles and 12 sacks during his three years on the varsity. Ryan, a three-time All-Saginaw Valley Conference selection, was named first team All-State by the Detroit News after recording 87 tackles, including four sacks. He also rushed for 376 yards and four touchdowns his senior year. Ryan was selected to play in the Michigan High School Football All-Star game. As a junior he produced 108 tackles, including 11 for losses, and three forced fumbles. He had 115 stops as a sophomore and selected to the Saginaw News Dream Team. Ryan was a PrepStar All-American and named to SuperPrep, PrepStar’s and Prep Football Report’s All-Midwest Teams. He was ranked among the nation’s top 25 athletes by ESPN.com’s Tom Lemming (No. 13), and listed among the Midwest’s top prospects by SuperPrep (No. 39) and Tom Lemming (No. 47), and rated among the state’s top seniors by the Lansing State Journal (No. 9), The Detroit News (No. 18) and the Detroit Free Press (No. 27). Ryan received a full-ride football scholarship to Michigan State University. After being granted a medical redshirt in 2002, he would go on to play 50 games for the Spartans – 35 as a starting defensive lineman. As a Spartan, the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder chalked up 118 total tackles – including 20 for losses. He also recorded 10.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. The two-time Spartan captain played well in rivalry games with 17 tackles, five for loss, against Notre Dame, and nine tackles, three for loss, against Michigan. Ryan was selected to play in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game. In the 2007 National Football League draft, Ryan was the St. Louis Rams’ fifth pick and the 154th player selected overall. Ironically, the Detroit Lions traded away two of their fifth-round picks to the Rams in exchange for a fourth-round pick. The Rams used one of those picks to select Ryan. In his debut season, he played in all 16 games finishing the season with 30 tackles and two sacks. He started 12 games in 2008 and 15 in 2009 before injuries ended his season and career in 2010. Ryan’s career stats during his four-year NFL career (2007-10) include 82 solo tackles, 21 assists, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections. While in college, he and LaMarr Woodley – friends since grade school – joined forces to help give back to their hometown of Saginaw through the Heroes for Kids Golf Outing. Local golfers were joined by college football players from both MSU and Michigan at the annual event, which generated several hundred thousand dollars for various youth programs in the Saginaw area.

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Fred Wydra

DIRECTOR

FRED WYDRA

Fred Wydra, born in 1967 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, MI. He attended Webber Elementary, St. Casmir’s Catholic School, Carrollton Middle and High School, and finishing with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University in winter of 1991. Fred currently own a Farmers Insurance Agency in Freeland, MI. Fred’s favorite place to be is on the ball diamond. His recreational career started with St. George’s Dragons t-ball team, in which he played before his first year of kindergarten. Currently, Fred is the player/coach of his Farmer's Insurance Modified Softball team, with the games played at Saginaw’s Hoyt Park. Along the way, he has experienced league championships with Gaudeau the Florist in Knothole Baseball, and The Sports Page Bar and Heck’s Bar in Modified Softball. With the exception working out-of-state in 1992, Fred has played summer ball in the State of Michigan for the last 45 years. From 1986 to 2006 Fred represented Saginaw in the Can-Amera Games on the over 18 baseball team in which Saginaw, MI. and Cambridge, Ont. Each took turns hosting this goodwill sporting competition in a variety of sports. The highlights from high school include catching a No-hitter for Brain Robinson and being the first player to hit a home run in game play at the All-Saints field in Bay City, MI. Fred thinks as himself as a reminder that you don’t have to be a hall of famer to be part of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.

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MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the corporation is to foster amateur sports competition by recognizing the present and former area athletes, coaches, and others who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics, either individually or by their performance on or in connection with athletic teams representing their high school, community college, four-year college, university or professional team or sport: or by worthy effort on behalf of athletics. The corporation will annually nominate, elect, honor, and award truly outstanding Saginaw County male and female athletes

Download Our Bylaws

Emeritus Members

  • Don Bethune
  • Ed Kocks
  • Louie Schultz
  • Thomas McDonald Sr.
  • Dr. Edgar Balcueva
  • Harold Campau
  • Richard Curry
  • Pat Brady
  • Jim Petteys
  • Jack Tany