Michigan athletes bound for the Winter Olympics!

Posted on by farlane
Winter by Kevin Ryan

Winter by Kevin Ryan

CBS Detroit reports that there will be 17 Olympians from Michigan on Team USA out of the nearly 230 athletes we’re sending to Milan-Cortina, Italy. Athletes range from old timers like 5-time Olympian & gold medalist Nick Baumgartner or dual gold medal winning freestyle skier Kaila Kuhn to Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin to first time hopefuls. Best of luck to all these Team USA athletes!

  • Evan Bates, 36, Ann Arbor, Ice Dancing
  • Nick Baumgartner, 44, Iron River
  • Christina Carreira, 25, St. Clair, Ice Dancing
  • Madison Chock, 33, Redondo Beach, California, Ice Dancing
  • Kyle Connor, 29, Shelby Township, Ice Hockey
  • Connor Hellebuyck, 32, Commerce Township, Ice Hockey
  • Jack Hughes, 24, Canton, Ice Hockey
  • Quinn Hughes, 26, Canton, Ice Hockey
  • Megan Keller, 29, Farmington Hills, Ice Hockey
  • Vadym Kolesnik, 24, Novi, Ice Dancing
  • Kaila Kuhn, 22, Boyne City, Freestyle Skiing
  • Dylan Larkin, 29, Waterford Township, Ice Hockey
  • Kirsten Simms, 21, Plymouth, Ice Hockey
  • Jake Vedder, 27, Pickney, Snowboarding
  • Winter Vinecki, 27, Gaylord, Freestyle Skiing
  • Zach Werenski, 28, Grosse Pointe Woods, Ice Hockey
  • Emilea Zingas, 23, Grosse Pointe Farms, Ice Dancing

Kevin shared these photos from Mulligan’s Hollow in Grand Haven way back in 2010. Check out his Sports gallery on Flickr for lots more great shots!

UFO by Kevin Ryan
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Michigan High School Athletes can make a name for themselves

Posted on by farlane
Winners by Steven Scherbinski

Winners by Steven Scherbinski

Yesterday the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MSHAA) unveiled their new name, image, and likeness (NIL) rule. Under the policy, a student-athlete may earn compensation from the individual use of their Personal Branding Activity (PBA), including activities such as commercials, product endorsements, personal appearances, autograph or photo sessions, merchandise, sports cards, apparel sales, group licensing, personal logos, or acting as a social media influencer. These must be individual opportunities for individual student-athletes.

They add that students can’t use the uniform, mascot, or name of any school and that they can’t endorse inappropriate things or be paid to play. Click through for all the info on PBA from MHSAA and let me know what you think about this.

I featured Steve’s photo 18 years ago but had to bring it back because it’s got the perfect “million dollar shot” vibe! Head over to Flickr to see his most popular pics!

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Detroit is shining brightly

Posted on by farlane
Detroit Shining Brightly by Chris Ahern Photography

Hudson and Gordie Howe Bridge with new lighting by Chris Ahern Photography

Chris shared a perfect photo for a roundup of recent Detroit news saying: “Both projects broke ground in 2020. The Hudson’s site is now Detroit’s second tallest building, while the Gordie Howe Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. Also lit up is the Ambassador Bridge which recently reached its 100 year anniversary.” (the Ambassador is in the foreground with the string of lights).

For starters, the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor announced that the planned Fall 2025 opening has been delayed to 2026. WDIV Detroit writes:

While 98% of the $5.7 billion project is complete, bridge officials say the remaining work is forcing the delay from the previously announced fall 2025 opening … The final phase focuses heavily on testing the bridge’s technological systems.

…A report from S&P Global Ratings indicated that contractors had missed previous deadlines for transferring border facilities to authorities, though bridge officials would not specifically comment on this.

Detroit has definitely been on the come up in recent years, but it is still notable that 13 years after a poll showed two-thirds of Detroiters felt the city was moving in the wrong direction, a new survey found a dramatic, 180-degree turnaround with 76% feeling the city is headed in the right direction with 11% disagreeing & 13% having no opinion. Among that 11% is Livonia resident & leader of the Detroit News editorial page Nolan Finley, who ruffled more than a few feathers when he suggested that Detroiters are deluded to express contentment.

If you tuned in to Monday Night Football to see the Lions whomp on the Buccaneers, you saw the spectacular drone footage of Detroit taken by Chris. I can’t find it all, but you can see some drone video of the Hudson on his Instagram & also of the Detroit Riverfront on the opening of the Monday Night Football highlights. For sure follow Chris Ahern Photography on Facebook and view and purchase his work & drone photography services on his website!

Ford Field from Above by Chris Ahern Photography

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Return of the Turtle: Detroit Tigers Opening Day

Posted on by farlane
Opening Day Flag Downtown Detroit Partnership

Opening Day Anthem by Downtown Detroit Partnership

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

Friday, April 4th 2025 is the 124th Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers. As a resident of Midtown in Detroit, I can tell you that this is unquestionably one of the biggest holidays of the year for us. Already the streets are filling with cars as baseball fans from all over Michigan and the world get ready for Tiger Baseball to return to the Motor City!

I’ve rounded up some of the highlights with a laser focus on FREE including and Opening Day party at Grand Circus Park by the City of Detroit and a Wisconsin manufacturer of watery beer that features a LOT of great food trucks, DJ Invisible, and lots of video walls and screens. There’s another free party from noon – 6pm just across Woodward at one of my favorite venues, The Fillmore with giveaways, WRIF and the game on their MASSIVE screen (tell the security guys Andy sent you and they will laugh). Also on the free front are a party at Gilly’s with giveaways, raffle, face painting & DJ Ray Ya Dig (official DJ of the Lions) from 9 AM–4 PM. I think that the Opening Day Party with my friends The Honest to God Jug Band is free, but they’re so fun and Cliff’s Bells is SO cool that I think you won’t mind if there is a cover.

And everywhere there are giveaways, giveaways, giveaways including the House of Faygo Pop-up at Campus Martius this Friday – Sunday.

  • Opening Day Love by City of Detroit
  • Detroit Tigers First Opening Day Detroit Historical Society

Here’s more information on the photos & happenings. Please add yours in the comments here or on our Facebook!

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Detroit City Football Club are National Champions!

Posted on by farlane

NISA Champions by Detroit City FC

NISA Champions by Detroit City FC

A belated congratulations to the Detroit City Football Club who are the 2021 National Independent Soccer League champions following a 1-0 victory over the LA Force! The team is a local favorite & a real success story for the power of community in sports:

Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC has established itself as one of the most talked about soccer teams in North America. Our club motto, Passion for Our City, Passion for the Game, evokes the three ideas the grassroots organization was built upon: to satisfy the demand for soccer in downtown Detroit, represent the city in a positive light, and build community through “the beautiful game.”

In an era when sports teams are defined by billionaire owners and millionaire players, we are a team founded by a group of young Detroiters. Detroit City FC has developed into a minor league soccer success story, with one of the most exciting match atmospheres in North America, consistently sold-out games and passionate supporters.

Head over to their Facebook or Instagram for photos.

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MSU launches EverGreen student-athlete marketing

Posted on by farlane

MSU vs Wisconsin by Matt Hallowell

MSU vs Wisconsin by Matt Hallowell

The State News has a feature on their new EverGreen image & likeness program to inform student-athletes about building a personal brand, making informed decisions and positioning themselves to maximize their earning power:

“Our goal is to provide our student-athletes the tools for success — on the field of competition, inside the classroom and beyond MSU,” Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Beekman said in the press release. “Name, image and likeness legislation will offer new opportunities for our student-athletes and EverGreen will prepare and position them for these changes.”

…This is the first action by Michigan State to help its athletes profit while competing in college. The road opened up after the state of Michigan passed legislation in Dec. 2020 allowing athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness and the Supreme Court ruling this week that struck down parts of NCAA’s amateurism restrictions for student-athletes.

Matt shared this photo of MSU standout & NBA champion Draymond Green back in 2011. See more in his Sports Portfolio gallery on Flickr.

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Remembering Mike Illitch of the Detroit Red Wings & Tigers

Posted on by farlane

hockey-tigers-mike-illitch

Let’s Go RED WINGS!!, photo by Cori Conz

Mike Illitch, owner of Little Caesar’s Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Detroit Tigers has passed away. I could link to a lot of articles, but I think the tweets about Mike Illitch are the most powerful things I’ve seen. Here are some I like and please share your own comments.

View Cori’s photo bigger and see more in her I LOVE DETROIT slideshow.

More Red Wings and more Tigers on Michigan in Pictures.

“MU” merges University of Michigan & Michigan State University

Posted on by farlane

via Absolute Michigan…

"MU" merges University of Michigan & Michigan State University

HOWELL, MICHIGAN – This morning, Ann Arbor based University of Michigan and East Lansing’s Michigan State University announced a historic merger that will create the largest university on the planet, known simply as “MU”.

“We stand midway between two storied colleges to create the greatest of them all,” stated MU co-President Lou Anna Simon as she welcomed an estimated 11,110 alumni, honorees, and angry sports fans to what will be the main campus of MU in Howell. “MU will become the largest college in the U.S. and instantly the leader in medicine, science, arts, and of course – sports.”

Her fellow co-President Mark Schlissel “Today we put aside our differences to crush all other universities with the aggregated research, industry partnerships, academic synergies, and the combined athletic might that two nationally powerful programs can bring to bear.”

Although barely hours old, the new school has already been ranked #1 for the upcoming football, basketball and cancer research seasons.

Reactions of fans of the two programs contacted ranged from “confused” to “enraged” while the entire state of Ohio pretty much just broke down and cried.

Farewell Megatron? Detroit Lion Great Calvin Johnson to Retire. Maybe.

Posted on by farlane

Megatron Calvin Johnson by Chris Arace

Megatron. Calvin Johnson., photo by Chris Arace

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Detroit Lions all-time greatest receiver Calvin Johnson is apparently headed for retirement. He reportedly told his family and close friends the 2015-16 season would be the last, and told gave coach Jim Caldwell the same message the day after the season ended.  If he does follow through, he will join Barry Sanders in retiring at 30 and in having a Hall of Fame career while never making it to a Super Bowl.

Should we put an asterisk on that retirement for now? The NFL has released this awesome highlight video with the somewhat cryptic title of “Top 10 Calvin Johnson Career Highlights…So Far” – do they know something we don’t?

Back in October of 2011, Chris Arace had the opportunity to work Monday Night football for the Lions, who won 24-13 to move to 5-0. View his photo bigger, see more of his work on his website, and definitely follow him on Instagram at instagram.com/thereason.

More Detroit Lions on Michigan in Pictures!

Happy 113th Opening Day, Tiger Fans!

Posted on by farlane

Happy Opening Day Detroit!

Happy Opening Day Detroit!, photo by kellyanne berg

The Detroit Tigers open the 2014 season today at 1:08 PM at Comerica Park vs the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers got their start as a charter member of the Western League in 1894 and played their first American League game in 1900 when the Western League changed its name. It wasn’t until 1901, however, that the American League decided not to renew the original National Agreement, declare itself a second major league and compete with the National League for players. The Detroit Tiger timeline says:

On April 24, 1901, the Tigers prepared to take to the field for their first official American League game. A standing room only crowd was anticipated at Bennett Park, but unpredictable weather postponed the opening by a day.

On that historic afternoon, April 25, 1901, in front of 10,000 fans, the Tigers entered the ninth inning trailing Milwaukee, 13-4. A series of hits and miscues followed, moving the score to 13-12 with two runners on. With two out, Tiger Frank “Pop” Dillon faced reliever Bert Husting, and the lefthanded hitter rapped a two-run double to complete a 14-13 comeback win.

Kellyanne posted this shot from Comerica Park a couple of years ago. See it bigger and see more of her Detroit Tigers photos (which are mostly real tigers eating meat).

More Detroit Tigers and more Comerica Park on Michigan in Pictures. Play ball!