Football Storylines Around the League to watch this summer

by orionontv | Apr 21, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Football Storylines Around the League to watch this summer.

Written Sunday April 20th at 12:03 PM

Happy Easter OAA Nation. Here are several OAA Football storylines heading into this fall.

Any takers to Ford Field???

There should be plenty of OAA representation that are serious contenders to get back to Ford Field. Adams in Division One when healthy is a very dangerous team especially with the system they run in the veer offense and with Ryland Waters coming back at quarterback which should allow Nolan Farris to move back to wide receiver. The Highlanders could be a team when healthy could make another deep postseason run. Harper Woods is the other serious contender in Division Four, the Pioneers are loaded with proven experience on both sides of the football and wants to get back after a really tough loss to Goodrich in the State Semifinals last season. Other teams that could get to Ford Field include Stoney Creek, Clarkston, West Bloomfield, and Lake Orion in Division One while Groves, Oak Park, North Farmington, Farmington, and Seaholm are possible teams to watch in Division Two.

Groves is the most interesting to keep an eye on.

The Falcons had Ford Field in their grasp but very questionable play calling and coaching decisions cost them in their stunning 28-27 overtime loss to Orchard Lake St. Marys in the Division Two State Semifinals last season. Groves lost a ton of proven talent from last season. They will have a new quarterback in LaVelle Shannon taking over and proven lines on both sides of the football. The White will be much improved with Stoney Creek and Harper Woods looking to be the top teams with Rochester not too far behind while Southfield Arts and Tech should be improved. Coach Brendan Flaherty will have some big challenges ahead of him.

New Coaches:

The OAA has several new coaches coming into the league this fall. Scott Merchant (Bloomfield Hills,) James Carlisle (Avondale,) Donovan Jackson (Ferndale,) and Trevor Potts (Oxford) are the new coaches in the league. Merchant comes to Bloomfield Hills from Lawrence Tech (College Football) and was at Chippewa Valley for a long time and his son is in the program. Carlisle comes to Auburn Hills from the thumb area (Vassar) and was at Imlay City. Jackson was on the staff at Detroit Cass Tech and played at Ferndale so he’s really familiar with the city. Potts was the defensive coordinator under Coach Zach Line at Oxford. He was also an assistant at Adams under Coach Tony Patritto. Every coach is going to have different challenges to adjust to this season.

Weaknesses:

Every team in the OAA has glaring weaknesses heading into the season that they will need to address. It should be really interesting to see how each team addresses their weaknesses this summer before each team heads into their week one matchups. My goal this summer is to talk to every coach including the Waterford Schools and see how everyone is doing heading into the season on my podcast.

Waterford Schools lurking:

Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott will join the OAA this winter while North Farmington and Farmington will depart the OAA joining the Lakes Valley Conference next season. The Waterford schools will have one more fall in the Lakes Valley Conference before coming into the league. Waterford Mott will have a new football coach in Tra’Jan Seay taking over the program for Chris Fahr who is the defensive coordinator at Davison. Seay was an assistant at Orchard Lake St. Marys last season so he brings that to Waterford. He will have an transition period which has to happen during the season. The Corsairs did not make the postseason going 3-5 and has a ton of questions in the Lakes Valley Conference this season. Waterford Kettering went 3-6 but was one win away from making the postseason for first year coach Brian Barnes. Barnes has done a really good job with the Captains in his second season with the program. The postseason is within reach for Waterford Kettering but getting there will be the challenge especially in Division Three.

Divisions:

Here are the divisions heading into this season in the league, not in any particular order.

Red: Lake Orion, Clarkston, Oxford, Adams, West Bloomfield.

White: Stoney Creek, Harper Woods, Groves, Rochester, Southfield Arts and Tech.

Blue: Bloomfield Hills, Oak Park, Seaholm, North Farmington, Farmington, Troy, Troy Athens.

Gold: Pontiac, Ferndale, Avondale, Berkley, Royal Oak.

Basketball Top Storylines Around the League this offseason

by orionontv | Apr 21, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Basketball Top Storylines Around the League this offseason.

Written Sunday April 20th at 11:08 AM

Happy Easter OAA Nation. We are officially in the offseason for girls and boys basketball and AAU season is underway. Here are the top storylines heading into next season for both girls and boys basketball.

Will the OAA be represented at Breslin next season???

This question could be answered in June when the MHSAA releases the basketball districts. The league in girls has a ton of solid teams heading into next season but it comes down to proximity that could create the best path if anyone has a shot at getting to the Breslin Center next season. In the boys there really isn’t a dominant team and it was really disastrous for the league with only three teams getting out of the districts last season. Could this be Ferndale’s best chance to make it back to East Lansing after two dominating years by Warren Lincoln??? They fell to Detroit Pershing in the district semifinals but the Eagles might have the league’s best chance to get back to Breslin. As mentioned the question could be answered when the MHSAA releases the districts in June.

Coaching vacancies.

There has been several vacancies to watch this offseason. The changeover surrounding Stoney Creek has been really fascinating. The Cougars recently let go boys basketball coach Jeff Olind which who takes over the job will be their third coach in four years. There is talent and proven experience but whoever takes the job is going to have a daunting task ahead of them and behind the scenes has been a complete mess. Coaches Joe Sermo and Terrance Porter has stepped down at their respective schools (Berkley, Southfield Arts and Tech.) Both schools are really appeasing when it comes to talent and program strength. In the girls, the Ferndale girls basketball job is open but whoever takes that job will have a huge challenge ahead of them when it comes to building program strength.

Coming and Going.

Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott are reentering into the league for the first time since 2008 this winter. Waterford Kettering has a new coach in Rex Walters with an very experienced team coming back and could be the early favorite in the Gold this season. Waterford Mott made it to the regional finals under Coach Jeff Jayson but they will have to replace several players from last season’s team. Waterford in the girls will be really interesting to keep an eye on led by returning guard Savannah Sartorius for Coach Andrew Wellman. On the flip side it will be the Farmington schools (North Farmington and Farmington) final year in the OAA as they will depart for the Lakes Valley Conference in 2026-2027. Farmington and North Farmington are loaded with proven talent and experience in the boys and they are in the Red. In the girls Farmington and North Farmington should be much improved after having rough seasons.

Divisions for 2025-2026 season.

Here are the divisions for the 2025-2026 season, not in any particular order.

Boys:

Red: Clarkston, Avondale, Groves, North Farmington, Farmington, Ferndale, West Bloomfield.

White: Lake Orion, Oxford, Adams, Rochester, Stoney Creek, Waterford Mott.

Blue: Troy, Troy Athens, Seaholm, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac.

Gold: Berkley, Southfield Arts and Tech, Oak Park, Harper Woods, Ferndale University, Waterford Kettering.

Girls:

Red: Lake Orion, Clarkston, Oxford, Stoney Creek, West Bloomfield, Rochester.

White: Groves, Seaholm, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Avondale, Berkley.

Blue: Troy, Troy Athens, Adams, Southfield Arts and Tech, Harper Woods, Ferndale.

Gold: Oak Park, Ferndale University, Farmington, North Farmington, Pontiac, Waterford.

Stay tuned to the blog and OAA Now for updates

Olind let go at Stoney Creek

by orionontv | Apr 21, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Olind let go at Stoney Creek.

Written Friday April 18th at 9:22 AM

Stoney Creek will have a new boys basketball coach next season.

The Cougars let Coach Jeff Olind go after three years with the program.

The BCAM site (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan) page confirmed there was an opening and another accurate source confirmed the news. The D-Zone basketball page also confirmed on X and posted the link on it’s page.

Olind went 19-47 in his three years at Stoney Creek. He came to Stoney Creek from Warren Mott in 2022 taking over for Steve Norgrove. Norgrove was really successful with the Cougars leading them to a regional final is coaching at Fraser and has done a really good job with the Ramblers.

Olind’s system just did not mesh with Stoney Creek. Program transition was a huge problem within the program.

Olind had some big wins in his tenure over Adams, Berkley, and Royal Oak but the losses hurt especially falling to Ferndale University and Southfield Arts and Tech both at home this past season.

Stoney Creek went 10-12 under Olind this season falling to Adams 48-46 in the district semifinals.

Whoever takes over the job at Stoney Creek will be the Cougars third coach in four years. There has been a lot of changeover in the last four years at the school from football, girls basketball, and boys basketball.

I will have more on the changeover at Stoney Creek on Tuesday’s podcast.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

The D-Zone tweet.

https://x.com/TheDZoneBBall/status/1912942822954610783

AG Releases Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

by orionontv | Apr 21, 2025 | Regional News

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 21, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Releases Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following statement:

“Pope Francis was a once-in-a generation leader whose humility, compassion, and thoughtfulness impacted people from all religious backgrounds and walks of life.

His legacy reminds us that it is important to care for the poor and marginalized, and that, in times of strife and uncertainty, we too can exercise grace and understanding. In the words of Pope Francis, ‘A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.’ May his memory be a blessing.”

Secretary of State: REAL ID deadline approaches

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2025 | Regional News

As REAL ID deadline approaches, Michigan Secretary of State offices still providing fast and efficient service

New check-in and booking stations, friendly greeters further streamline customer experience

LANSING, Mich. – With the May 7 federal REAL ID deadline fast approaching that will require compliant identification to fly in the U.S., Michigan Secretary of State offices offer a fast and easy ways for customers to upgrade their driver’s license or ID. Despite the heavier volume throughout the state, most customers are still in and out of the office in 20 minutes or less.

More than 74% of people with a Michigan driver’s license or ID have already upgraded to a REAL ID. Since March 18, Secretary of State offices have added more than 35,000 extra appointments to accommodate the demand for REAL ID and are operating more than 10% over normal capacity. Michigan’s REAL ID conversion rate for the week of April 7 was a record-breaking 82.8%. The REAL ID conversion rate for the same week in 2024 was just 19%.

“It’s great to see so Michiganders making sure they get their REAL ID before the May 7 deadline,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. “While Michigan is already well above the national average for REAL ID compliance, the recent uptick in appointments is proof that residents are taking the necessary steps to avoid potential travel delays in the future. I especially want to thank the hardworking staff at the 131 Secretary of State offices throughout Michigan who are truly going above and beyond to meet the increased demand without sacrificing the quality or speed of our service. I am grateful for their dedication and commitment to serve the people of our great state.”

Michigan driver’s licenses and IDs are REAL ID compliant if they are marked by a star in the upper right corner – either a star within a gold shape of Michigan or a star in a gold circle, depending on the license design. Michigan also offers enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, which are REAL ID-compliant and can be used to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. Enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs have a U.S. flag icon on the front.

Upgrading a standard license or ID to a REAL ID is free if done during the normal renewal period. Otherwise, a card correction fee of $9 for a driver’s license or $10 for an ID is charged.

When applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring:

Your driver’s license or ID.

Your certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)

If your name is different from the name on your birth certificate, bring certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time your name has changed.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/REALID.

Customers who book appointments to update their driver’s license or state ID will find several tools and processes that help ensure they will have a smooth and successful visit. Friendly staff greeters meet visitors right at the door of 51 of the state’s offices. Greeters help every customer quickly check in for their appointment or book an upcoming appointment so they can complete their transaction without unnecessary delay.

As part of a pilot project that started in January, customers in five Secretary of State offices can immediately check in for their appointment or book an appointment using new computerized stations.

The stations, which are oversized computer tablets on a stand near where customers enter an office, provide efficiency in offices that don’t have a full-time staff greeter at the door. Based on the successful pilot, the stations are scheduled to be installed over the next 18 months at the remaining 75 offices that don’t have staff greeters.

The first appointment check-in and booking station was installed Jan. 22 at the St. Johns office. Throughout February and March, the stations were added to the Adrian, Alma, Kalamazoo, and St. Ignace offices. The 22-inch tablets are similar to those used by the public in settings ranging from airports to retailers.

“These stations, an idea from our frontline branch office managers, are another way we are continuing to provide the most convenient and efficient service to Michiganders,” said Jennifer Mazzola, director of the Bureau of Branch Operations at the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). “At offices with smaller staffs, clerks no longer have to try to do two things at once – serve the customer at the counter in front of them and check in or book customers arriving at the office.”

The idea for the stations came from branch office managers in meetings with the MDOS Office of Continuous Improvement and Transformation. In recent months, various MDOS teams and vendors worked to develop the stations with feedback from frontline staff. Customer observations and feedback during the pilot over the past three months helped to further customize the stations to meet customer needs.

Customers can make appointments up to six months in advance for any Secretary of State office by visiting Michigan.gov/SOS or calling 888-767-6424. The online system or call center agent will walk them through everything they need to bring for their transaction, helping them avoid having to make a return visit. If a customer arrives without having scheduled ahead, they can use one of the check-in and booking stations or work with a staff member to book the next available time slot, which may be later in the day or the next business day.

# # #

MDOS Check-in and Booking Station The St. Johns branch office is one of the five offices that received the check-in and booking station as a part of the pilot program.

MDOS Check-in and Booking Station A customer uses the check-in and booking station to schedule an appointment at the St. Johns branch office.

MDOS Check-in and Booking Station Terrence Nichols, a Kalamazoo resident, checks into his appointment at his local branch office using the newly installed station.

$1 Million “Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA Sweepstakes

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

April 16, 2025

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Launches $1 Million “Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA Sweepstakes

FAFSA filers can enter for a chance to win one of forty $10,000 prizes or one of ten $50,000 prizes

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) announced the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes at Lansing’s Eastern High School. Ticket to Tuition is a statewide initiative to encourage Michiganders enrolling in college for the first time, especially high school seniors, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to lower the cost of college through valuable financial aid opportunities such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee.

“Filling out your FAFSA can help you save thousands of dollars on your education and with today’s sweepstakes, you can also enter to win up to $50,000 for your education expenses,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have made record, bipartisan investments to drive down the cost of earning a degree or skills certificate, and I’m proud that a majority of graduating seniors are now eligible to lower or completely eliminate their college tuition. As we continue working together to save Michiganders money, I encourage all high school seniors who want to go to community, private, or public college to fill out their FAFSA, save thousands of dollars while attending school, and enter to win our sweepstakes!”

“Filling out your FAFSA can help you punch your ticket to a college degree, a skills training certificate, more opportunity, and a better life,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The ‘Ticket to Tuition’ sweepstakes will help more Michiganders get the skills they need to support their families at good-paying jobs. Let’s keep Standing Tall so every student can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

Contest Details: To enter the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes, complete the FAFSA and text CASH to 855-50K-TICKET by 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025. To be eligible, participants must be Michigan residents who completed the FAFSA for the first-time to use during the 2025-26 academic year.

Prizes will be awarded in Michigan Education Savings Program accounts, which can be used for a variety of qualified educational expenses such as tuition and fees, living expenses, and computers and textbooks. Forty winners will receive $10,000 and ten winners will receive $50,000. For full contest details, visit TicketToTuition.com.

MiLEAP is proud to partner with MCAN to help provide resources, programming and support for students to pursue their educational and career goals.

“The new streamlined FAFSA can open scholarship and grant opportunities like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee, providing students an affordable path to a postsecondary credential,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “With Ticket to Tuition, we are encouraging students to complete their FAFSA by offering tens of thousands of dollars in prizes, but the real prize is the degree or skill certificate that will help them achieve their goals for themselves and their families.”

“College and skills training are keys to economic prosperity, which is why state financial aid opportunities such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee are vital to Michigan families,” said Sen. Sean McCann. “It is critical that we do all we can to encourage students to complete the FAFSA and understand the financial aid they have earned through their academic careers so they can make informed decisions about their future.”

“Michigan College Access Network is committed to increasing the number of students who access and complete college, and the Ticket to Tuition Sweepstakes is another way we are working to incentivize more students to explore postsecondary options,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network. “We want graduating seniors and their families to know that the FAFSA is the key to unlocking federal, state, and institutional financial aid, and now, completing it can give them the chance to win up to $50,000 to help with their future educational expenses.”

“Now more than ever, it’s crucial to make college and postsecondary opportunities accessible for young people,” said Ben Shuldiner, superintendent of Lansing Schools. “Programs like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee have made career training more affordable—but completing the FAFSA remains the most important step. That’s what makes the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes so exciting.”

Since Governor Whitmer took office, she has worked with a bipartisan Legislature to lower the cost of college for over 120,000 students annually through meaningful investments in state student financial aid including:

Michigan Achievement Scholarship to support recent high school graduates on their postsecondary education including a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate through the Community College Guarantee, up to $27,500 to earn a four-year degree, and up to $4,000 to enroll in career training. Today, nearly 60,000 students are saving Michiganders families more than $4,200 per year.

Michigan Reconnect to offer Michiganders 25 and up tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate in high demand careers. Over 207,000+ accepted. Temporarily lowered the age for participants to 21 and recruited 35,000 Reconnect applicants. Temporarily launched the Michigan Reconnect Short-term Training Program to lower the cost of career training for over 4,300 Michiganders.

Mi Future Educator Fellowship which is offering 2,600 future teachers $10,000 scholarships in exchange for a commitment to teach in Michigan

Futures for Frontliners program to temporarily recognize Michiganders who served on the frontlines of the pandemic and offer them tuition-free paths to postsecondary education or skills training. Over 85,000 student have been accepted.

Students and families can complete the FAFSA online by visiting FAFSA.gov or by submitting a paper form. Recent updates to the application include reducing the number of questions to 36 from the previous 108, allowing for a more streamlined process. Most students and families can complete the application in less than 15 minutes.