Brother Rice Players Attend Prep Kickoff Classic

The Detroit Sports Commission (“DSC”) held a press conference today at the Majestic Theatre to introduce players and coaches, and sponsors and partners for the 2012 Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic.

“From the beginning, the goal of Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic was to provide an electric, bowl-game like atmosphere for high school football in the city of Detroit,” said Dave Beachnau, DSC executive director and organizer and founder of the event. “We believe this year’s game matchups and the setting in Midtown Detroit at Wayne State University will provide a memorable experience for the players and fans of high school football.”

The award-winning event, formerly known since its inception in 2005 as the Big Day Prep Showdown, will take place Aug. 24-25 at Tom Adams Field. The event is organized and promoted by the DSC, the subsidiary of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

Players and coaches from the 12 teams participating in the Prep Kickoff Classic were announced and showcased on stage flanked by the DSC mascot ‘Champ’ and youth football players and cheerleaders from Think Detroit PAL.

After introducing their respective players, each coach discussed the importance of playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic and how they will prepare for the event.

The DSC also unveiled “Made-In-The-D” game trophies that will be given to all 12 teams participating in the event. These unique trophies were commissioned by the DSC who chose the Detroit Design Center on the basis of their industrial design expertise and their focus on using locally re-claimed metals and other materials.

“As part of the overall effort to infuse a Detroit theme in the Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic, we wanted to develop unique trophies that spotlight the tremendous design capabilities found in Detroit,” said Beachnau. “We found a great fit for a local trophy producer with Erik and Isreal Nordin and the Detroit Design Center.”

Prior to the teams being introduced, brief remarks were made by Deputy Mayor Kirk Lewis, City of Detroit, and event partners Sue Mosey of  Midtown Detroit, Tim Richey of Think Detroit PAL, and Stephanie Melnick of Gleaners Food Bank of SE Michigan.

In addition, a collection of sponsors were acknowledged including representatives from Muscle Milk, President Tuxedo, Kona Ice, Clintondale Virtual School, Detroit Lions, MyAlternativeED.com,  Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Community Bowling Centers.

The game matchups on Friday, Aug. 24 are Dearborn vs. Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley at 4:30 p.m., and Southgate Anderson vs. Woodhaven at 7:30 p.m. Games on Saturday, Aug. 25 will feature Detroit Crockett vs. Oak Park at 11 a.m.; Port Huron vs. Utica Eisenhower at 1:30 p.m.; Southfield vs. Detroit Martin Luther King at 4:30 p.m., and in the nightcap defending MHSAA Division 2 champion Birmingham Brother Rice vs. 2011 MHSAA Division 1 champion Detroit Cass Tech at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Detroit Sports Commission Prep Kickoff Classic including ticket availability and pricing, visit www.detroitsports.org. You can also follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.