High School Coach

Randy Bricker
Randy is one of the longest serving baseball coaches in Northern Michigan. His victories at Pellston outnumber the losses by a wide margin and include a number of post-season team honors. However, more important for Randy, the game comes down to fun, respect, fairness and integrity. Over the years he has made the game fun for the players and himself. He has built special relationships with his players and teams with fair play, teamwork and citizenship always at the forefront. Through Randy’s leadership, players learn there is much more to the game than wins or losses. In that regard Randy has become a tremendous role model for his past and present team members. He believes the game is for and about kids, and he does everything in his power to keep the focus there. Outside the diamond, Randy is an active community member in many areas and also led a massive renovation of the Pellston baseball field.

Youth Recreation Coach

Dree Lo
Dree was a gifted athlete in many sports in her youth, but over a decade ago when her two sons were becoming well known in area tennis circles her path changed. With tennis now becoming part of her life Dree became an exceptional player as her sons progressed through their high school years. She shot through the various levels of team tennis and now plays at a very high level. Three years ago she became director of the successful Petoskey Parks & Recreation program and about the same time teaching tennis was starting to become a career. She is now the Petoskey girls JV tennis coach managing 45-60 girls through a trio of different schedules with a “no cut” policy. Realizing her teaching would be more effective with the proper credentials she has now achieved yet another certification, this within the USPTA. Dree has become a valuable fundraiser for tennis. She gives 100 percent to the game she loves and to those who play it. Victory with honor is her credo and her players learn professionalism, generosity and responsibility.

High School Athlete (Boy)

Jackson Kopka
For Jackson academics, athletics and character are all wrapped into one. Jackson ranked near the top of his Harbor Springs graduating class. He played a total of four years at quarterback on the football team, the last two on the varsity; four years of basketball and at 6-1 he was the starting center this past season He also played four years of baseball, three on the varsity as a starting center fielder. Jackson worked extremely hard, never complained and gave his best every day. He was a leader who was respected by his teammates. Along with showing competitive courage, Jackson’s attitude, work ethic and moral character were a coach’s dream. In addition, Jackson’s desire to learn allowed him to apply his natural talent to any given task. Whether it be community involvement, athletics or academics, Jackson has a rare gift for seeing the right path and taking it.

Youth/Recreation Athlete (Boy)

Kurt Boucher
Kurt has just completed the eighth grade at Petoskey Middle School and already exemplifies the ideal student athlete. This past football season Kurt received the “Northmen Award,” given to the student-athlete who best personifies positive leadership on and off the field. Kurt has played football, his favorite sport, since joining the Pop Warner program several years ago and has always displayed enthusiasm, a positive attitude and the ability to always encourage others. As a go-to-athlete and team-voted captain in the program, Kurt was looked on by his teammates for leadership and he consistently rose to the challenge. Academically, Kurt is considered a “great student,” and set a good example both in the classroom and on the football field. Outside of football he has played baseball, is a member of his church’s youth group, helps his grandfather at the American Legion, been involved with several plays and musicals, and makes it a point to help close neighbors with general tasks.

Youth/Recreation Athlete (Girl)

Lilly Chamberlin
Lilly is a hard worker with a positive attitude whether it comes to swimming, tennis or soccer along with academics. As a Harbor Springs Middle School student and Hammerhead Swim Club member Lilly is always striving to do her best. With the swim club she has won the coach’s award in consecutive years, most improved swimmer in her age group and a state qualifier. In tennis, Lilly is a Northern Michigan ranked player, showing grit and determination along with being a respectful, determined and competitive.  Lilly has also grown by leaps and bounds academically and socially and is an excellent role model to younger students in those areas. She has helped steer and encourage others to do the right thing. Lilly is also a member of the middle school band and girls scouts.

High School Athlete (Girl)

Taylor Smith
Taylor will leave Charlevoix this fall for Northern Michigan University carrying two important factors from high school with her, excellent leadership by example and being a positive role model. Taylor excelled in soccer over the past four years and also played basketball.  In addition, she has showed a commitment to academics, athletics and community on a daily basis. Along with athletics, Taylor still found time to volunteer for 4-H youth soccer, mentor a Special Olympics soccer team, mentor the freshman program, play Premier League soccer, along with being a member of the National Honor Society and attending a leadership conference. Taylor was captain of this past spring’s Rayder soccer team, has earned all-state recognition, and is one of those rare players who are committed to their own growth and development. Through her school years Taylor has always conveyed a caring attitude and a willingness to help younger players as well as her peers.

Parents

Tom & Connie Fairbairn
Whether it’s the Hammerhead Swim Club or the annual Coastal Crawl swim on Little Traverse Bay, Tom and Connie have been there for the past 11 years during their daughter’s involvement with the program. During that time they have driven thousands of miles and spent hundreds of hours organizing concessions, timing sessions, fund-raising and volunteering in general. In every case, either Tom or Connie took care of it. They have been the perfect parents through those 11 years and the imprint of what they have done will be with the team for years to come. They have gone far beyond “the call” when it came to volunteering. Tom was the “get it done” guy when it came to fixing or organizing; while Connie ran the concession stand for years and has donated her time and energy to that task, always with a smile. The Fairbairns were truly dedicated to the Hammerhead Family.

Youth Sports Leader

Mary Weitzel-Bailey
Think of Mary and you have to think fitness because of all the young students she has prepared for high school as an elementary physical education teacher at Pellston for the past 20 years. For Mary, character training by being an example encourages and rewards both now and future students and athletes. Mary, who coached varsity girls’ track and JV girls’ basketball for eight years, began the Pellston schools ski club, began the Jump Rope Club in 1993 which has now earned more than $55,000 for the American Heart Association, and has also written and received grants for snowshoes and cross country skies which are available for families to be used on weekends. In addition, Mary is very active outside the school, having taught Bible School, is a member of the National Ski Patrol at Nub’s Nob, is a CPR instructor and also a member of the Michigan Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Mary is always looking for new ways and strategies to get kids more active and physically fit, serving as a good example to community youth and adults.

Official of the Year

Dave Reeb
Dave may be best known for his 30 years as head baseball coach at Inland Lakes, but the retired educator is probably just as well known around the north for his 21-year career as a Northern Michigan volleyball official, a career still in progress. In fact, Dave has been named Official of the Year for 2011. For 16 years Dave has been assigning officials for junior and senior high volleyball .He instills character coaching when he meets with his officials every year for training.. He makes it a point to go over sportsmanship on the court with athletes before and during games. He is patient with upset coaches and will calmly talk to them during or after the game. His attitude and compassion for officiating has impacted coaches and athletes for more than three decades and he still is one of Northern Michigan’s great role models.

Lifetime Achievement

Dave Bricker
Dave has quietly become something of an icon in and around Boyne City. Whether it is school students, school staff, education or athletics, Dave has left his mark. Dave admits to bleeding Rambler Red and Blue all the way through and well he should. Dave is a Boyne City High School graduate and so far has enjoyed a 37 year career as a middle school teacher, football assistant coach and middle school track coach.  He basically has always kept a low profile but this past season was named Assistant Coach of the Year for a third time by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and is an honored member of the Boyne City Hall/Wall of Fame. What sets Dave apart is over those 37 years he has had an extremely caring attitude for his students and athletes. His work ethic, his ability to care, his ability to connect with others are characteristics that Dave champions every day. For many, many years he has and continues to organize and facilitate a three day/two night spring retreat for his 6th grade class at Camp Daggett. He also recommends a handful of seniors with strong character to act as counselors. In every endeavor Dave continues to go the extra mile for his students, either in the classroom or on the field.

Team of Character

Petoskey Boys’ Basketball 2010-11
Everyone knows the Northmen have had two very successful back-to-back seasons going 23-2 and 22-2 with two straight unbeaten Big North Conference championships, two District (Class A and B) titles and one Regional (Class B) title. Equally important, the team(s), under Coach Dennis Starkey, showed a high degree of integrity on and off the court, showed a knack for overcoming adversity and also showed respect for the competition. Although the award goes to the Class A 2010-11 team, the coaching staff and players from both seasons can be commended for acting with class at all times. The character and sportsmanship shown can only lead to more deserving and better things in life.