MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
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MICHIGAN – More than 75 Michigan high schools made the switch from one conference to another or have moved divisions within their respective conferences for the 2024-25 school year.
Citing enrollment changes (up or down), drive time, competitiveness in most sports and trying to find a more level playing field are some of the reasons for high schools all over the state to switch leagues.
There are three brand-new conferences set to begin competition in August 2024 – the River Cities Conference, Big Thumb Conference and Northern Shores Conference.
In terms of soccer, some coaches like the shuffling and movement, while others don’t necessary embrace it.
For instance, one school may be good in basketball and track but not competitive in soccer. There’s also some increased drive time for schools, mainly in the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula.
Other leagues may still have the old-fashioned home and away series between league opponents, lessening the availability to go out and schedule tough out-of-conference opponents.
NORTHERN SHORES
In the newly-created Northern Shores Conference, there are eight schools in total. Boyne City, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Grayling, Harbor Springs and Kalkaska come over from the now-defunct Lake Michigan Conference. Cheboygan drops down from the Straits Area Conference, while Kingsley makes the move from the Northwest Conference.
Eight of these schools will sponsor boys soccer programs this year, while seven schools offer girls soccer. Kalkaska is the only school that currently does not have a girls soccer program.
Cheboygan has competed in the ever-evolving Northern Michigan Soccer League for boys soccer, as its former home the Straits Area Conference, did not sponsor soccer as a league sport.
“We always liked the option of being able to go out and schedule a bunch of tough downstate opponents. This will limit this quite a bit,” offered Jeff Suffolk, boys soccer head coach at Harbor Springs, one of six league members to depart the Lake Michigan Conference where schools only played 12 league games. “Now we have to play everyone twice and that’s (14 conference games). That’s a lot. We always liked to go out and play teams like Warren De La Salle and (Pontiac) Notre Dame Prep or go play a tough team down in the Grand Rapids area or in other parts of the state. That prevents some of us from doing that. We’ll only have four open dates to play non-conference games or (weekend) tournaments. That is the best way for schools up here to prepare yourselves for the state tournament if you think you have the talent to make a run. Go out and play some of the best teams in the state.
“Another thing that may cause some problems is drive time,” continued Suffolk. “They brought in Cheboygan over east of the Mackinac Bridge and now we have teams south of Traverse City like Kingsley and Grayling. This may cause some two-our bus rides, especially between Kingsley and Cheboygan. I don’t know of too many leagues in the (state) that have that long to travel, unless it’s up in the Upper Peninsula? There’s quite a bit of travel time one way in our new league.
“At least for soccer, there are still a few good teams and there should be some close matches and rivalries,” continued Suffolk. “I think Harbor Springs and Elk Rapids will still have some great battles in soccer. Some of the rivalries stayed intact."
RIVER CITIES
The Ottawa Kent Conference was founded way back in 1958 – some 66 years ago. The mega conference has seen some large movements in the past in terms of an influx or departure of schools. But this summer’s exit of seven schools – mainly from the region north of Grand Rapids and up into Montcalm County and further west towards Muskegon.
Seven schools departed the OKC July 1 – Allendale, Cedar Springs, Coopersville, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Greenville, Lowell and Sparta – to form the River Cities Conference.
Each member currently offers boys soccer and girls soccer, but none of this group has ever won a state title in soccer for either gender.
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE SHUFFLES DIVISIONS
That vacuum of seven school departing to from the aforementioned River Cities Conference did force the Ottawa Kent Conference to shuffle around its six divisions. The mega conference shelved the Blue Division for the time being and re-added the Black Division. Of the 41 remaining schools in the OKC, there are 18 schools that switched divisions in all of the sports except football, where completely different divisions were realigned for the 2024-25 school year.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern shift over from the OKC-Gold Division to the White Division; Byron Center moves from the White Division to the Green Division, while Caledonia and Jenison move from the Red Division to the Green Division.
The new Black Division consists of Hamilton, Spring Lake, Holland Christian and Hudsonville Unity Christian who all move over from the Blue Division; Holland departs the White Division; and both Zeeland East and Zeeland West shift from the Green Division and into the Black Division.
Grand Rapids Northview moves from the White Division to the Gold Division, while Grand Rapids Union and Wyoming leave the Green Division for the Gold Division. Grand Rapids West Catholic also moves into the Gold Division from the now-defunct Blue Division.
The only school shifting over into the Silver Division is Fruitport, which has competed the last few years in the Blue Division.
There will also be six divisions for football only come the fall.
Stu Quackenbush, the girls soccer head coach at Rockford who is also an assistant boys soccer coach at the school, said that while there are some departures, the OKC will still remain as one of the top league in the state overall, especially for sports like soccer.
“There is a group of schools leaving, but a lot of those schools have somewhat struggled in soccer and some other sports,” said Quackenbush last May. “There will still be some great divisions in our league for soccer and some of the best programs in the state will remain (in the OKC). I don’t think it will cause anything to be significantly different.”
The OKC Did not pick up any new schools for the 2024-25 school year.
MICHIGAN’S BIG THUMB
Another newly-created league will be the Big Thumb Conference, which consists of the merger of the Greater Thumb Conference and the North Central Thumb League plus a scattering of other schools from other leagues in the Thumb area or central Michigan communities.
In terms of soccer, Bad Axe, Capac, Caro, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker, Memphis and Unionville-Sebewaing-Cass City Unified are the schools who return with soccer programs in 2024-25. Harbor Beach and Marlette dropped their soccer programs last year and may face low numbers if they are to reinstate those programs this August or next March.
Millington moves over from the Tri-Valley Conference and does sponsor a girls soccer program for the last few years. New Haven Merritt Academy also has a girls soccer program and moves up from the Charter School Conference.
Bay City All Saints will co-op for soccer with Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central and compete in the Tri-Valley Conference. Dryden co-ops with Imlay City of the Blue Water Area Conference, Caseville has not sponsored a boys soccer program in over a decade, while Springport dropped girls soccer back in 2021 and has never offered boys soccer.
Other schools in the Big Thumb Conference but do not sponsor soccer are Akron-Fairgrove, Ashley, Bay City Academy, Bay City All Saints, Brown City, Burton Atherton (moved over from the Genesee Area Conference), Carsonville-Port Sanillac, Caseville, Deckerville, Dryden , Kinde-North Huron, Kingston, Mayville, Owendale-Gagetown, Peck, Reese, Sandusky, Ubly and Vassar. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian will compete in football-only in the BTC but remains in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference for all other sports.
TRI-VALLEY CONFERENCE
Five schools are leaving the TVC and four of those schools offered soccer. Millington moves over to the Big Thumb Conference, Birch Run wil join the Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference and Midland Bullock Creek, Standish-Sterling and St. Louis will depart for the Jack Pine Conference. St. Louis has never had a soccer program.
JACK PINE CONFERENCE
Midland Bullock Creek, Standish-Sterling and St. Louis arrive into the Jack Pine Conference from the Tri-Valley Conference, while West Branch Ogemaw Heights moves into the league after competing as an Independent in most sports the last couple of years.
Ogemaw Heights did compete in the Northern Michigan Soccer League for boys and girls soccer and may still hold some affiliation with that league in the future. St. Louis has never offered a soccer program.
The Jack Pine Conference will now have 12 members with eight offering girls soccer and seven sponsoring boys soccer. Beaverton started a girls soccer program this past spring but has yet to offer boys soccer. Clare, Gladwin, Pinconning, Shepherd and Ogemaw Heights had all competed regularly in the Northern Michigan Soccer League, which has gone through a multitude of changes over the soccer-only league’s history.
Below is a list of new conferences, existing conferences and other conferences or divisions within those leagues that will see some type of change in the 2024-25 school year:
NORTHERN SHORES CONFERENCE:
(New conference formed on 7-1-24)
Boyne City
Charlevoix
Cheboygan
Elk Rapids
Grayling
Harbor Springs
Kalkaska
Kingsley (came over from the Northwest Conference)
RIVER CITIES CONFERENCE:
(New conference formed on 7-1-24; all members moved over from the Ottawa Kent Conference)
Allendale
Cedar Springs
Coopersville
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills
Greenville
Lowell
Sparta
BIG THUMB CONFERENCE:
(Merger of the Greater Thumb Conference and North Central Thumb League on 7-1-24)
SCHOOLS WITH SOCCER TEAMS:
Bad Axe
Capac
Caro
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port-Laker
Harbor Beach (attempting to bring back soccer in 2024-25)
Marlette (dropped soccer in 2023-24 due to low numbers; may not have enough this school year)
Memphis
Millington (came over from the Tri-Valley Conference; girls soccer only)
New Haven Merritt Academy (girls soccer only; no boys soccer program)
Unionville-Sebewaing-Cass City Unified
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Akron-Fairgrove
Ashley (came over from the Mid-State Activities Association)
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (football only; remains in MIAC for all other sports)
Bay City Academy (independent last school year)
Bay City All Saints (co-ops with Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central in the Tri-Valley Conference)
Brown City
Burton Atherton
Carsonville-Port Sanillac
Caseville (has not sponsored boys soccer in more than a decade)
Deckerville
Dryden (co-ops with Imlay City of the Blue Water Area Conference)
Kinde-North Huron
Kingston
Mayville
Owendale-Gagetown
Peck
Reese
Sandusky (no longer offers girls soccer)
Ubly
Vassar
NORTHERN MICHIGAN (L.P.) INDEPENDENTS FOR BOYS SOCCER/GIRLS SOCCER:
Traverse City St. Francis-Traverse City Christian-Traverse City Grand Traverse Academy-Liberty Unified
Cadillac Heritage Christian
Carson City-Crystal
Fairview-Mio AuSable Unified
Gaylord Grace Baptist
Lincoln-Alcona
Midland Calvary Baptist
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Oscoda
Whittemore-Prescott (may not have soccer program anymore)
JACK PINE CONFERENCE—BOYS SOCCER TEAMS:
(expanded lineup of schools with soccer programs)
Beaverton
Clare
Gladwin
Midland Bullock Creek (new)
Pinconning
Shepherd
Standish-Sterling/Au Gres Sims Unified (new)
West Branch Ogemaw Heights (new)
NO SOCCER POGRAMS:
Farewell
Harrison
St. Louis (no soccer programs)
Sanford-Meridian
NEW LEAGUE MEMBERS:
Midland Bullock Creek
Standish-Sterling/Au Gres Sims Unified
St. Louis (no soccer programs)
West Branch Ogemaw Heights
NORTH STAR CONFERENCE:
(constantly evolving in terms of number of soccer programs)
Fairview/Mio AuSable Unified
Lincoln-Alcona
Oscoda
Tawas Area
Whittemore-Prescott (may not have soccer program anymore)
NORTHERN MICHIGAN SOCCER LEAGUE
(league always evolving each school year)
Big Rapids Crossroads Academy
Brethren-Bear Lake Unified (girls soccer-only)
Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian (boys soccer only)
Clare
Gladwin
Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian (boys soccer only)
Houghton Lake (girls soccer-only)
McBain Northern Michigan Christian
Roscommon
Shepherd
Tawas Area
West Branch Ogemaw Heights
FORMER MEMBERS
Cheboygan
Fife Lake Forest Area
Bellaire-Central Lake Unified
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
Benzonia Benzie Central
Brethren-Bear Lake Unified (girls soccer-only)
Buckley-Mesick Unified
Leland
Maple City Glen Lake
Suttons Bay-North Bay Unified (Northport, Lake Leelanau St. Mary’s)
DEPARTING FOR NORTHERN SHORES CONFERENCE:
Kingsley
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
FrankfortOnekama
LAKE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE
League disbanded as of 7-1-2024
HIGHLAND CONFERENCE:
Evart (girls soccer team only)
Houghton Lake (girls soccer team only)
Leroy Pine River (may have dropped boys soccer for 2024-25)
McBain Northern Michigan Christian
Roscommon
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE (New divisional alignments for all sports except football):
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE-RED DIVISION:
East Kentwood
Grand Haven
Grandville
Holland West Ottawa
Hudsonville
Rockford
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE-WHITE DIVISION:
East Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Grand Rapids Christian
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE-BLACK DIVISION
(new division)
Hamilton
Holland
Holland Christian
Hudsonville Unity Christian
Spring Lake
Zeeland East
Zeeland West
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE-GREEN DIVISION:
Byron Center
Caledonia
Jenison
Muskegon
Muskegon Mona Shores
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE-GOLD DIVISION:
Grand Rapids Northview
Grand Rapids South Christian
Grand Rapids Union
Grand Rapids West Catholic
Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg
Wayland
Wyoming
OTTAWA KENT CONFERENCE-SILVER DIVISION:
Belding
Comstock Park
Fruitport
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
Grandville Calvin Christian
Hopkins
Wyoming Godwin Heights
Wyoming Kelloggsville
CROSSROADS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE:
(lineup of schools constantly evolving)
Ann Arbor Rudolf Steiner
Athens Factoryville Christian
Battle Creek Academy
Hillsdale Will Carleton Academy
Marshall Academy (adding boys soccer this year)
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Jackson Prep
DEPARTING CONFERENCE:
Coldwater Pansophia Academy
BIG 8 CONFERENCE:
(adding boys soccer and girls soccer):
Bronson
Quincy
Springport (girls soccer only)
Stockbridge (joining league)
Vermontville Maple Valley
JOINING CONFERENCE IN 2024-25:
Stockbridge
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Concord
Reading
Sand Creek
Union City
INDEPENDENT SOCCER LEAGUE
(league lineup always evolving)
Adrian Lenawee Christian
Battle Creek Calhoun Christian Unified (Battle Creek St. Phillip, Climax-Scotts)
Bellevue
Jackson Christian
Hillsdale Academy
Kalamazoo Phoenix
SOUTH CENTRAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION:
(constantly evolving in terms of number of soccer programs)
Battle Creek Calhoun Christian Unified (Battle Creek St. Phillip, Climax-Scotts)
Bellevue
Jackson Christian
Hillsdale Academy
INNER STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE:
Burton CenterPoint Christian (no soccer this year)
Burton St. Thomas More Academy
Flint Michigan School for the Deaf
Flint Waterbrook Christian
Kimball Landmark Academy
Kimball New Life Christian
NEW MEMBERS:
Flint Michigan School for the Deaf
Flint Waterbrook Christian
MID-MICHIGAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE:
(new alignment for 2024-25)
Birch Run (new)
Byron
Chesaning
Durand
Montrose
Mt. Morris (no longer sponsoring girls soccer)
Otisville-LakeVille
Ovid-Elsie (Ashley)
NEW MEMBERS:
Birch Run
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Mt. Morris (no longer sponsoring girls soccer; never offered boys soccer)
TRI-VALLEY CONFERENCE:
(remaining members for 2024-25)
Alma
Bay City John Glenn
Bridgeport (no soccer program)
Carrolton (no soccer program)
Essexville Garber
Frankenmuth
Freeland
Hemlock
Ithaca
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (no soccer program)
Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central
Saginaw Swan Valley
Saginaw Valley Lutheran
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Bridgeport
Carrolton
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary
DEPARTING FOR OTHER CONFERENCES:
Birch Run
Midland Bullock Creek
Millington
Standish-Sterling
St. Louis (no soccer program)
ALLIANCE LEAGUE
Byron Center Zion Christian
Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy
Grand Rapids Wellspring Academy
Kentwood Grand River Prep
Muskegon Catholic Central (Fruitport Calvary Christian)
Wyoming Lee
Wyoming Potter’s House Christian
Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian
NEW CO-OP:
Muskegon Catholic Central (Fruitport Calvary Christian)
NEW MEMBER:
Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
DEPARTED LEAGUE:
Holland Calvary Christian
METRO DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER LEAGUE:
(constantly evolving lineup of schools)
Romulus Summit Academy-North
Dearborn Henry Ford Academy
Detroit Cass Tech
Detroit Western International
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Academy of the Americas
Detroit Crockett Midtown Science & Math
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOL LEAGUE:
(constantly evolving lineup of schools)
Detroit Cass Tech
Detroit Western International
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Academy of the Americas
Detroit Crockett Midtown Science & Math
SCHOOLS ADDING SOCCER IN 2024-25:
Ann Arbor Christian (opened last year; will still co-op with Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard of the CHSL for a couple more years)
Benton Harbor Countryside Academy (will partner with existing program St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic in 2024-25)
Clinton Township Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Guadalupe (third-year school; non-MHSAA school)
Dearborn Heights Annapolis (new soccer program; member of the WWAC)
Eau Claire (new boys soccer program; girls soccer started in 2023-24)
Farmington Hills Huda School (second-year MHSAA member school adding soccer)
Flint International Academy (new soccer program)
Jackson Chesterton Academy of St. George (third-year school; non-MHSAA school; adding soccer)
Marshall Academy (new soccer program)
Owosso Life In Christ Christian (attempting to add soccer)
Plymouth Ivywood Classical Academy (second-year school, first in MHSAA, adding JV soccer with varsity to follow in the future)
Smith’s Creek Blue Water Christian (attempting to add soccer)
Taylor Trillium Academy (new soccer program)
Traverse City Greenspire (attempting to add soccer)
Warren Lincoln (attempting to add girls soccer)
Warren Michigan Math & Science
Ypsilanti Washtenaw International Academy (attempting to add soccer)
BRINGING BACK SOCCER:
(bringing back soccer after a couple-year hiatus)
Clarkston Springfield Christian
Eastpointe
Redford Thurston
Westland Universal Learning Academy
REMAINING INDEPENDENT:
Ann Arbor Central Academy
Ann Arbor Christian
Battle Creek Calhoun Christian-Battle Creek St. Phillip-Climax Scotts Unified
Berrien Springs Andrews Academy
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Birmingham Eton Academy
Burton Genesee Christian
Cadillac Heritage Christian
Carson City-Crystal
Chassell Copper Country Christian
Coldwater Pansophia Academy
Detroit Frontier International Academy
Escanaba-Gladston Bayside Club Unified
Evart (girls soccer-only)
Fairview-Mio AuSable Unified
Flint International Academy
Flint Southwestern Academy
Gaylord Grace Baptist
Genesee
Hamtramck
Hamtramck Oakland International Academy
Holland Calvary Christian
Houghton
Howell Kensington Woods Academy
Iron Mountain-Norway Unified
Ironwood-Bessemer-Wakefield-Marenisco Unified
Kalamazoo Phoenix
Kingsford
Lincoln-Alcona
Marquette
Midland Calvary Baptist
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (Shepherd Flex Tech Academy)
Negaunee Soccer Club (Negaunee, Ishpeming, Ishpeming Westwood)
Oscoda
Owosso Life In Christian
Owosso Springvale Academy
Pentwater (boys soccer-only)
Pittsford Freedom Christian
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Sault Ste Marie-Rudyard Unified
Temperance Stateline Christian
Traverse City St. Francis-Traverse City Christian-Traverse City Grand Traverse Academy-Liberty Unified
Waterford Lakecrest Baptist
Whittemore-Prescott
Ypsilanti Arbor Prep
NEW INDEPENDENTS:
Traverse City St. Francis-Traverse City Christian-Traverse City Grand Traverse Academy-Liberty Unified
Coldwater Pansophia Academy
NON-MHSAA INDEPENDENTS:
Birmingham Eton Academy
Cadillac Heritage Christian
Escanaba-Gladston Bayside Club Unified
Gaylord Grace Baptist
Howell Kensington Woods Academy
Negaunee Soccer Club (Negaunee, Ishpeming, Ishpeming Westwood)
Owosso Life In Christ Academy
Owosso Springvale Academy
Pittsford Freedom Christian
Temperance Stateline Christian
Waterford Lakecrest Baptist
DETROIT METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE:
Canton Prep
Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy
Dearborn Heights International Academy
Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy
Detroit Hope of Detroit Academy
Southfield Manoogian
Taylor Prep
ADDING SOCCER PROGRAM:
Taylor Trillium Academy
Warren Michigan & Math Academy
Westland Universal Learning Academy (re-starting soccer program after a couple-year hiatus)
LENAWEE COUNTY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION:
Blissfield
Clinton
Dundee
Hillsdale
Ida
Onsted
NEW BOYS SOCCER PROGRAM:
Dundee
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Adrian-Madison
Hudson
SAGINAW VALLEY LEAGUE:
Bay City Central
Bay City Western
Davison
Flint Carman-Ainsworth
Flint Powers Catholic
Grand Blanc
Midland
Midland Dow
Mount Pleasant
Saginaw Heritage
Saginaw United (merger of Saginaw and Saginaw Arthur Hill Academy; co-op with Saginaw Arts and Science)
NEW MEMBER:
Saginaw United (merger of Saginaw and Saginaw Arthur Hill Academy; co-op with Saginaw Arts and Science)
MERGED:
Saginaw
Saginaw Arthur Hill
GENESEE AREA CONFERENCE:
(constantly evolving with number of soccer programs)
Burton Genesee Christian
Genesee
Flint International Academy (new program)
Flint Southwestern Academy (struggling with low numbers in last decade)
CO-OP PROGRAMS IN 2024-25:
Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (Ann Arbor Christian)
Brethren (Bear Lake)
Buckley (Mesick)
Chesterfield Township Austin Catholic (Sterling Heights Parkway Christian)
Comstock Park (Galesburg-Augusta)
Delton-Kellogg (Martin)
Escanaba-Gladstone Bayside Club Unified
Ferndale (Ferndale University Academy)
Imlay City (Dryden)
Iron Mountain (Norway)
Ironwood (Bessemer-Wakefield-Marenisco)
Lansing Area Home School Dragons (Lansing New Covenant Christian, Holt Capitol City Baptist)
Marine City Cardinal Mooney (Marine City HS)
Monroe Jefferson (Erie-Mason)
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (Shepherd Flex Tech Academy)
Muskegon Catholic Central (Fruitport Calvary Christian)
Negaunee Soccer Club (Negaunee, Ishpeming, Ishpeming-Westwood)
Ovid-Elsie (Ashley)
Pinckney (Whitmore Lake)
Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central (Bay City All Saints)
Saginaw United (Saginaw Arts & Science Academy)
St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic (adding in Benton Harbor Countryside Academy in 2024-25; and Watervliet Grace Christian)
Sault Ste. Marie (Rudyard)
Standish-Sterling (Au Gres-Sims)
Suttons Bay (Northport, Lake Leelanau St. Mary’s)
Traverse City Christian-Traverse City St. Francis-Traverse City Grand Traverse Academy
Unionville-Sebewaing (Cass City)
GREAT LAKES 6 LEAGUE:
Carson City Fellowship Baptist
Cedar Springs Creative Technology Academy
Hasting Barry County Christian
Hudsonville Libertas Christian
Kalamazoo Heritage Christian
Kent City Algoma Christian
Walker West Michigan Academy of Environmental Sciences
NO SOCCER PROGRAM:
Grand Rapids Sacred Heart
Grand Rapids Adventist Academy
Wyoming West Michigan Christian (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
NEW MEMBERS:
Grand Rapids Adventist Academy
Grand Rapids Hope Academy of West Michigan
Holland Calvary Christian (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Kentwood Lighthouse Academy-South
Sheridan Beth Haven Baptist
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
(formed three years ago):
Auburn Hills Christian Academy (no soccer due to low numbers)
Bloomfield Hills Christian
Brighton Livingston Christian
Lake Orion Baptist (no boys soccer due to low numbers)
Milford West Highland Christian (no soccer due to low numbers)
Saline Washtenaw Christian
Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy
Wixom Christian
NO CURRENT BOYS SOCCER PROGRAM:
Auburn Hills Christian Academy (no soccer due to low numbers)
Lake Orion Baptist (no boys soccer due to low numbers)
Milford West Highland Christian (no soccer due to low numbers)
HOME SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BOYS SOCCER/GIRLS SOCCER:
(constantly evolving list)
Brighton East Michigan Home School Panthers
Byron Center West Michigan Home School Heat
Canton Home School United
Flint Chase Home School Conquerors
Howell Home School (HAACH) Cougars
Hudsonville Home School Hornets
Kalamazoo Home School Cougars
Lansing Area Home School Dragons
Lapeer Faith Home School Falcons
Novi Home School Firebirds
Romeo Summit Home School Mountaineers
Traverse City Home School Bulldogs
NO LONGER OFFERING SOCCER:
Lansing CHAP Home School Chariots
HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE DROPPED SOCCER IN RECENT YEARS:
Adrian Berean Baptist ((dropped soccer due to declining enrollment)
Algonac (dropped boys soccer program a few years ago; girls soccer still sponsored)
Auburn Hills Christian Academy (no soccer due to low numbers)
Bellaire-Central Lake Unified (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Burton CenterPoint Christian (formerly Burton Faith; dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Burton St. Thomas More Academy (rejoining MHSAA; re-starting soccer)
Calumet (Copper Country Strykers)
Caseville (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Detroit Mumford (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Detroit Pershing (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Detroit Universal Academy (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Detroit University Prep Math & Science (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Dryden (now co-oping with Imlay City; dropped independent program around a decade ago due to low numbers)
Evart (boys soccer only dropped)
Fife Lake Forest Area (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Flint Michigan School for the Deaf (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Flint Southwestern Academy (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Galesburg-Augusta (now co-oping with Comstock Park; have not played in several years)
Gwinn
Harbor Beach (attempting to bring back soccer in 2024-25)
Holland Calvary Christian (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Kalkaska (dropped girls soccer program a few years ago due to low numbers)
Lake Orion Baptist (dropped boys soccer program)
Lansing New Covenant Christian (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Lansing Sexton ((dropped girls soccer due to low numbers; boys team still exists)
Lawrence (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Leroy Pine River (co-ed in fall; dropped in 2023-24 due to declining numbers)
Madison Heights Madison (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Manistique (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Marcellus (dropped boys soccer program due to low numbers a few years ago)
Marlette (low numbers; may not field in 2024)
Milford West Highland Christian (no soccer due to low numbers)
Mount Clemens (dropped due to low numbers and declining enrollment)
Mt. Morris (dropped girls soccer-only; never had boys soccer program)
Pontiac Academy for Excellence (recently dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Redford Union (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Remus-Chippewa Hills (low numbers; may not field in 2024)
St. Clair Shores South Lake (not enough interest for third straight year)
Three Oaks River Valley (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Walkerville (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (boys soccer restarting as part of co-op with Clarkston Everest Collegiate)
Watervliet Grace Christian (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Whittemore-Prescott (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
Wyoming West Michigan Christian (dropped soccer due to low numbers)
SCHOOLS CLOSED IN RECENT YEARS WITH SOCCER PROGRAMS:
Bloomfield Hills Andover
Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Canton Agape Christian
Farmington Hills Harrison
Flint Central
Flint Northern
Flint Northwestern
Gaylord Grace Baptist
Grand Rapids Creston
Grand Rapids Ellington Academy
Hudsonville Freedom Baptist
Lake Orion Shalom Baptist
Lapeer East
Lapeer West
Midland Christian
Newport Lutheran South
Oxford Christian Academy
Pontiac Central
Pontiac Northern
Royal Oak Dondero
Royal Oak Kimball
Ruby Faith Baptist
Saginaw
Saginaw Arthur Hill
Southfield High
Southfield Lathrup
Southgate Aquinas
Sterling Heights Bethesda Christian
Taylor Center
Taylor Kennedy
Taylor Truman
Warren Macomb Christian
Warren Zoe Christian
Waterford Mt. Zion Christian
Ypsilanti Calvary Christian
Ypsilanti Faithway Baptist
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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Michigan-based Premier Media Group is expanding ... don't miss out on coverage
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Premier Media Group is expanding its broadcast net.
And we want you.
The Michigan-based PMG, founded in 2022, its flagship production the Michigan Soccer Network and all other affiliates, is actively scheduling games in a wide variety of high school leagues and conferences, small colleges, amateur, pre-professional, youth club, and other avenues of the beautiful game in Michigan.
The schedule for the fall semester is starting to fill up across Michigan.
The daily connections are being made and the spreading of our brand has brought in great reviews.
Would the coaches, administration, student-athletes, players and fans like for us to broadcast a game near you?
Regardless of the now-popular remote broadcast games, on-location broadcast games, on-location shows or in-studio daily shows, there is a simple process. Visit the website www.michigansoccernetwork.com or click below for details.
PMG will also be holding various “Win A Free Broadcast” contest at various parts of the fall, winter (indoor) and spring seasons.
"(Michigan Soccer Network) has does a great job making these kids feel special,” offered Michal Hatfield, girls soccer coach at Trenton High School who also coaches in the Detroit City FC youth club system. “The broadcasts were professionally done and we were very pleased when they did our games. They did a great job with (play-by-play), graphics and postgame interviews with the kids. And a lot of people saw it. We had uncles and aunts that have never seen their nieces play get a chance to watch them on YouTube). And all of the kids were able to jump on there (the YouTube channel) afterwards and watch the game.”
The MSN staff had the pleasure of broadcasting multiple games the last two school years for schools in the Oakland Activities Association and have received its fair share of feedback. The goal is to conduct broadcasts of games throughout the state of Michigan, especially in the larger populated regions.
“MSN has done a great job with broadcasts in our league (Macomb Area Conference),” said Trevor Foster, current head coach of the Romeo girls soccer program, goalkeepers coach for Oakland University’s soccer programs, and director at the Michigan Goalkeepers Academy. “I know the girls love it. And I know some of the parents were putting their earphones on and listening to the game when they were (in the stands) and it gives relatives a chance to watch games that they normally wouldn’t be able to.
“It’s as close to professional (broadcast) as any broadcast of high school soccer that you will see out there,” added Foster. “Plus, they do all types of (amateur and pre-professional) leagues out there (in Michigan).”
“We were very pleased, especially with the knowledge of high school soccer in the state of Michigan from the play-by-play announcers and color commentators,” said Todd Heugh, the current director of athletics at Troy Athens High School and a former coach at the school. “They put together a valuable (product) and the games are live on YouTube for everyone to watch, even if you are (a relative or an alumni) not in the area. I know coaches go on there (YouTube), too, to watch games of an upcoming opponent.”
The PMG staff has a goal of 100-plus games this fall from mid-August through November. The Michigan Soccer Network conducted a record 50 remote or in-person broadcasts during the month of June.
PMG also has contacts within Michigan, the Midwest and even in different parts of the U.S. and have become broadcast partners for more than 15 different leagues or franchises within those leagues over the past three years. PMG has multiple broadcasting rights for within the USL-League Two, USL-W League, UPSL, MWPL, NISA, WSPL and more and constantly expanding its web of coverage both on various YouTube channels and on our website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com. It has broadcasted more high school boys soccer and high school girls soccer at more than 75 high schools in Michigan.
“MSN has been a great media partner for the Bucks and AFC,” said Costa Papista, President of the Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC of the USL-League Two and USL-W League, respectively. “The production and overall quality of our live broadcasts are professional grade. Flint City fans, sponsors and supporters greatly appreciate the MSN quality. We are always receiving excellent feedback and comments from our fans and visiting fans as well.”
And now the busy season starts in earnest with high school, college and youth club team beginning the 2024-25 school year.
To schedule a game or to consult team members of our broadcast, reach out to the following persons in the PMG family of networks: Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner, 248-525-2083, jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com or new Director of Scheduling / Office Manager Alaina Gagnon, at agagnon@thepremiermediagrp.com and inquire about the broadcast options, packages, special packages and more.
For news on the soccer scene in Michigan, check out the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com for daily updates, game recaps, feature stories, previews and more for teams, players and coaches from a wide variety schools, amateur teams, colleges and youth club teams.
The PMG and MSN staff will continue to reach for its goal of providing quality broadcast on any network and in-depth coverage and content on it website.
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
Interested in internships in broadcasting, communications, journalism, public relations or sales and marketing in the sports world? The Premier Media Group is seeking applications for current college students or students entering their senior or junior years of high school that have a career interest in working in different capacity of a constantly-evolving media world.
Contact both Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner at 248-525-2083 or jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com and Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at (248) 525-2349 and dstickradt@thepremeiermediagrp.com.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com.)
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