The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s seventh Multi-Sport Participation Survey, conducted last spring for the 2024-25 school year, showed small but continuing growth of multi-sport participation among athletes at member high schools.

The annual Multi-Sport Participation Survey was inspired by the MHSAA’s Task Force on Multi-Sport Participation, which was appointed in 2016 to study early and intense sport specialization – a serious issue related to health and safety at all levels of youth sports – and to promote multi-sport participation as a way to help stave off overuse injuries and burnout among athletes that have been tied to chronic injuries and health-related problems later in life.

The 2024-25 Multi-Sport Participation Survey received responses from 82.7 percent of member high schools and showed 45.4 percent of athletes at those MHSAA member high schools participating in two or more sports, an increase of six tenths of a percent from 2023-24. Multi-sport participation has shown increases every year of the study – and a combined increase of 2.6 percent since the first study after the 2017-18 school year.  

For 2024-25, 47.8 percent of male athletes and 42.3 percent of female athletes played multiple sports. The percentage of multi-sport athletes remains inversely proportional to schools’ enrollments, as Class D schools again enjoyed the highest percentage of multi-sport athletes at 63.1 percent, followed by Class C schools (59.6), Class B (49.3) and Class A (38.5).

All four enrollment classifications also continued to show increasing multi-sport participation. Class A multi-sport participation increased three tenths of a percent from 2023-24 and is now up 2.6 percent from 2017-18 survey results. Class B increased 1.3 percent from the previous year and is also up 2.6 percent since 2017-18. Class C multi-sport participation grew two tenths of a percent over the previous year and sits 4.4 percent higher than the first study, and Class D multi-sport participation in 2024-25 remained the same as in 2023-24 and has grown five percent over the last seven years.

The MHSAA Task Force also recommended measuring multi-sport participation in MHSAA member schools to recognize “achievers” – that is, schools that surpass the norm.

Battle Creek Harper Creek, Detroit Cody and Grand Rapids Northview have appeared among the top 10 percent of their respective Classes six of the seven years the survey has been conducted. Four more schools have appeared among the top 10 percent of their Classes five of the seven years: Decatur, East Grand Rapids, Manton and Warren Michigan Collegiate. Detroit Douglass, Parma Western and Lake Leelanau St. Mary have appeared among the top 10 percent of their Classes four times apiece.

In Class A, Grand Rapids Northview (79.4 percent) posted the highest percentage of multi-sport athletes for 2024-25, followed by Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (70 percent), Detroit Cass Tech (61.4) and Sterling Heights Stevenson (60.7) also reporting at least 60 percent.

Warren Michigan Collegiate paced Class B schools with 91.3 percent of athletes playing multiple sports, followed by Tecumseh (77.7), Yale (76.6), Detroit Cody (71.4), Battle Creek Harper Creek (71.3) and Manistee (70.1). Class C saw  six schools reach 80 percent for the second-straight school year, led by Jackson Lumen Christi (97.6 percent), Martin (89.7), Bad Axe (89.3), Cass City (88.6), Center Line Prep Academy (83.6) and Decatur (82.3).

Watervliet Grace Christian topped the Class D list at 93.8 percent of athletes participating in multiple sports. Next were Watersmeet (89.7), Lake Leelanau St. Mary (88.2), Detroit Douglass (87.8), Vestaburg (87.7) and Portland St. Patrick (87.3).

The full summary report on the Multi-Sport Participation Survey is available on the “Multi-Sports Benefits” page.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior offensive lineman Aamil Wagner has been named a finalist for the 2025 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. The award honors exemplary leadership by a college player. 

Wagner was also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, and a member of the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Wagner, a 2025 team captain, helped lead the offensive line to make way for one of the most explosive offenses in the country. In 2025, Notre Dame’s offensive line was a cohesive, productive unit. The Irish finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense (41.8), fifth in team passing efficiency (168.61), 10th in passing yards per completion (14.11), 17th in passes had intercepted (6), 18th in total offense (458.5), 18th in third down conversion percentage (0.481), 18th in rushing offense (203.4) and 20th in completion percentage (0.672).

Wagner was honored with the 2024 Notre Dame Football Scholar-Athlete Award and started all 16 games for the Irish en route to a National Championship appearance. In 2024, Notre Dame’s rushing offense ranked No. 4 among the Power 4 in yards per carry (5.66), ranking No. 7 among all FBS teams. The Irish ranked No. 6 among Power 4 teams in rushing offense (210.8). 

Wagner completed his Notre Dame undergraduate degree in strategic management, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in nonprofit administration. Wagner leads initiatives to improve the lives of athletes off the field, from youth athletics to collegiate student-athletes. He is heavily involved in the leadership of player development initiatives at Notre Dame which support in the areas of goal-setting, relationship-building, networking, leadership, financial planning and performance. 

He also serves as the president of the Notre Dame chapter of Uplifting Athletes, an organization which supports the rare disease community and their families through local outreach, events and fundraising. Through the organization, Wagner has planned events and stayed in direct contact with families. 

In addition, he is a regular volunteer at his local senior center, homeless shelter and church. He has also worked with Just a Pair of Shoes, which provides community youth a new pair of shoes, near his hometown. On campus, Wagner is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and Notre Dame Christian Athletes. 

GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Firefighters Local 8 is hosting its first-ever Blazing Paddles Pickleball Tournament from February 20 through February 22 at the Mansfield Convention Center.

The three-day event serves as a fundraiser for the firefighters’ charitable fund, which supports various causes throughout the Great Falls community.

Madison Collier reports – watch the video here:

Great Falls firefighters host pickleball tournament to support community

“This tournament is a fundraiser, and it’s a good opportunity for us to raise money for our charitable account,” said Steven Luwe with Great Falls Firefighters Local 8. “Our main focus right now is Paul’s Holiday Wish, where we buy Christmas presents for kids in our community.”

In addition to Paul’s Holiday Wish, the charitable fund also assists first responders in need and supports youth sports and other community initiatives throughout the year.

Firefighters say pickleball was a natural choice for their first tournament. The sport’s growing popularity and social atmosphere made it an ideal way to connect with the community during the winter months.

“It’s going to get people in Great Falls together during the cold winter months to get indoors, have a fun event, and play some pickleball,” Luwe said.

The tournament schedule includes an open gym format on Friday, round-robin qualifier play on Saturday, and a single-elimination bracket on Sunday. The doubles tournament allows participants to choose their own teammate, with multiple skill-level divisions available to ensure players of all experience levels can compete.

Organizers say players can expect prizes for each division, as well as raffles and a 50/50 drawing throughout the weekend.

Registration is open now and runs through January 16, with space available for up to 50 teams.

More information and registration details are available by visiting their Facebook page.

PULASKI, Wis. (WLUK) — We’re just 10 days from Christmas, and this year, you may have noticed higher prices for holiday decorations — especially artificial trees.

Industry experts blame tariffs for the spike. It may be leading some people to opt for a real tree instead.

Industry experts blame tariffs on China for the spike in price for artificial Christmas trees. It may be leading some people to opt for a real tree instead. (WLUK)

Between the early snow and higher prices on artificial trees some Christmas tree farms in Northeast Wisconsin are seeing a rise in foot traffic. The folks at Wojcik’s Tree Farm in Pulaski said they’re getting more first-time buyers.

It was quiet at Wojcik’s Monday morning, but that hasn’t been the case each weekend since Thanksgiving.

“The numbers have been up. Not crazy, but you know, the day-to-day totals from last year, we’re seeing small increases this year,” Wojcik’s Tree Farm owner Luke Wojcik said.

Wojcik said his family farm has sold about 100 more trees compared to this time last year.

The American Christmas Tree Association says nearly 90% of artificial Christmas trees come from China. This means fake trees are facing tariffs of 30% or higher.

However, at tree farms like Wojcik’s, they’re able to keep prices consistent, since the trees are grown on U.S. soil.

“You’re never going to see our trees double from one year to the next. If you see price increases, it’s just a few dollars here or there,” Wojcik said.

Between the early snow and higher prices on artificial trees this year, some Christmas tree farms are benefiting. The folks at Wojcik’s Tree Farm in Pulaski said they’re seeing more first time buyers. Dec. 15, 2025 (WLUK/Tony Langfellow).

He said his prices range anywhere from $30-80 for a fresh-cut tree. A quick online search for artificial Christmas trees shows prices vary by type and size.

Despite success at some tree farms, Executive Director Jami Warner of the American Christmas Tree Association said in a statement:

While tariffs have increased the cost of artificial Christmas trees, Christmas lights and Christmas decor, they have not led to a surge in real tree sales.

FOX 11 reached out to several other local tree farms, but none wanted to be interviewed on camera. Some told us they’ve seen higher sales this year, while others say they remained status quo.

No matter the impact, Wojcik said either way, visiting a Christmas tree farm like his is special for everyone.

“You can’t recreate what space like this offers, and I think people appreciate that, and they come out to get that with their families and give it to their kids,” Wojcik said.

Wojcik Tree Farm will be open again this Friday and Saturday and by appointment after that.

Through youth clinics, equipment drives and the Dial® Clean Sheet program, Henkel is helping America’s youth build confidence, strength and connection through soccer—while celebrating the power of community.

ROCKY HILL, Conn., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — During this season of giving, Henkel is celebrating the collective impact organizations can make together for local communities and young athletes. Through its multi-year partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Henkel North America, a leading manufacturer of well-known consumer and industrial brands including Dial® soap, Persil® and , all® free clear laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Schwarzkopf® hair care and Loctite®, OSI®, Technomelt®, and Bonderite® adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, is partnering with organizations to improve access to the game of soccer by creating moments of community, inclusion and opportunity.

Building on this commitment, Henkel is working with U.S. Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to expand access to the game through free youth clinics, community equipment drives that provide needed gear, and the Dial® Clean Sheet program supporting classrooms nationwide—creating opportunities for kids to play, grow and thrive on and off the field.

“At Henkel, we are thrilled to team up with U.S. Soccer to empower the next generation,” said Jennifer Schiavone, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Americas. “Through our partnership with U.S. Soccer, we want to create more opportunities to increase access to the sport for young athletes while providing mentorship and needed equipment and giving back to our communities. This is what teamwork in action truly looks like.”

Creating Opportunity through AYSO Youth Clinics
This fall, Henkel hosted three clinics, two near Henkel offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and Stamford, Connecticut, and another in Tampa, Florida, that welcomed hundreds of young athletes for a day of coach-led drills, team activities and mentorship from American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) coaches and Henkel employee volunteers.

AYSO Youth Clinics offer children of all skill levels the chance to learn, play, and connect, building physical confidence, teamwork and a sense of community. Every participant left with their own soccer ball, T-shirt and Henkel gift bag, which included Henkel household products such as Dial® soap and Persil® laundry detergent for their families to use, along with memories that reinforce the company’s belief that sport helps youth grow academically, socially and personally.

“These clinics marked the beginning of our growing collaboration with Henkel, aimed at expanding access to the game and reaching even more children and families,” said Dan Howald, Senior Director, AYSO. “Looking forward to 2026 as we continue our partnership to share the joy of the game with kids of all ages and backgrounds and make soccer more accessible, more connected, and more fun for everyone, everywhere.” 

AYSO is one of U.S. Soccer’s 118 member organizations, which the U.S. Soccer Federation oversees as the governing body of the sport in the United States while collaborating to grow the game.

Expanding Reach Through Community Equipment Drives
Two equipment drives were hosted in Chester, Pennsylvania in partnership with Leveling the Playing Field, and Orlando, Florida in collaboration with Sports 4 the Kids. The drives invite fans and families to donate gently used soccer gear—including balls, cleats and nets—to help more kids experience the game.

These efforts provide a way for fans to help, underscoring how small acts of giving can strengthen community connections and open doors for more children to experience the lifelong benefits of sport.

From the Field to the Classroom
Henkel has been longtime supporter of DonorsChoose – a nonprofit that makes it easy to help students in need by fulfilling teachers’ requests for classroom resources. Through its® Clean Sheet program, Dial® is making a donation for every “clean sheet” (winning team prevents opposing team from scoring) in a U.S. Senior National Team soccer match, while encouraging fans to also support.

To date Dial® has donated $100,000 to support 339 schools across the country and fund 3,219 pieces of sports and exercise equipment, 555 items of food, clothing and hygiene essentials, and 488 books—extending Henkel’s impact from the field to the classroom and helping inspire the next generation.

Together, these efforts capture the spirit of the giving season, uniting organizations to impact communities for generations to come. Henkel and its family of brands will continue to celebrate U.S. Soccer achievements and community impact programs in 2026.

About Henkel in North America
Henkel’s portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes all®, Purex® and Persil® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Dial® soaps, Schwarzkopf® hair care, as well as Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2024, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company’s global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA.

Henkel Contact
Erica Cooper
Phone: 475-232-4973
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Henkel