SC4 Hosting Women’s Basketball Tournament

St. Clair County Community College is hosting the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship March 15-19 at the SC4 Fieldhouse. The championship tournament will bring the best 16 teams from across America to the Blue Water Area to compete for a national title.

During the fall of 2018, SC4 was identified as a site finalist by the NJCAA, competing with two other venues from Arkansas and Iowa. The process included a visit by NJCAA officials to evaluate the SC4 Fieldhouse and surrounding community, which resulted in SC4 being selected as the winning bid.

“The NJCAA is very excited to award SC4 with the Division II Women’s Basketball Championship in the coming years,” said Dr. Christopher J. Parker, NJCAA executive director. “We know SC4 will provide the highest quality tournament for all of our participating student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.”

Both the 2020 and 2021 tournaments were impacted by the pandemic, so the campus and community are excited and ready to host the 2022 event.

“We are thrilled to welcome the NJCAA championship to our campus and look forward to showcasing the SC4 Fieldhouse as well as our many great restaurants, hotels, businesses and activities,” said Dale Vos, SC4 director of athletics. “We look forward to some exciting games throughout the week and to crowning a National Champion on Saturday night.”

The teams and tournament seeding will be announced by the NJCAA on Tuesday, March 8. The double–elimination tourney begins at the SC4 Fieldhouse on Tuesday, March 15, with the first game tipping off at 9 a.m. The championship game will be held on Saturday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. Visit sc4skippers.com/fanzone/ticketing for tickets. A complete game schedule will be available on the NJCAA website njcaa.org/championships/sports/wbkb/div2.

The event will make a substantial positive impact to the local community, bringing in approximately $250,000 each year. “This is a big deal to host 16 teams and their fans in St. Clair County for a week in March,” said Marci Fogal, president of the Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are excited to partner with SC4 and the NJCAA to host this great event. As the spring weather arrives, it will be wonderful to have people here from throughout the U.S. enjoying our downtown and beautiful waterfront.”

Submitted by St. Clair County Community College

SC4 Announces STEM and Athletic Summer Camps

Summer Camps are back at St. Clair County Community College. There is a wide selection of athletic camps along with a STEM-based camp.

The Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp is for students in 5th through 8th grade. There are two sessions in July, each with limited capacity. The cost is $300. Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp will use hands-on science in the new Challenger Learning Center.

Referring to the STEM Camp, Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, president of SC4 said, “Participants in this camp will be among the first to experience our Challenger Learning Center, which officially opens this spring.”

The athletic camps include baseball, basketball, cross country, esports, soccer, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. Costs range from $80-$150 per athlete.

SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos said, “These camps provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from collegiate coaches, athletes and experts. We expect these camps to fill fast and look forward to welcoming youths to camp this summer.”

For more information and to register for SC4 athletic camps, visit sc4.edu/camps, email athletics@sc4.edu or call 810-989-5662.

A link to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

Ship Sunk in 1891 Found in Lake Superior

Lake Superior has been hiding a secret for 130 years. Thanks to sonar technology, the secret is out with the discovery of a 172-foot ship buried in the depths of the big lake.

The Atlanta was a schooner-barge that sunk in May of 1891 while carrying a load of coal. It was being towed by the steamer Wilhelm. A northwest gale snapped the towline and the crew was forced to get in the lifeboat. Only two crew members made it safely to shore.

The discovery was made 35 miles from Deer Park, Michigan, in 650 feet of frigid Lake Superior water after a tedious mapping of the lake by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and Marine Sonic Technology.

Bruce Lynn, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Historical Society, said, “It is rare that we find a shipwreck that so clearly announces what it is and the name-board of the Atlanta really stands out. It is truly ornate, and still beautiful after 130 years on the bottom of Lake Superior.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hope Blooms From Home Fundraiser to Benefit Hunter Hospitality House

Hunter Hospitality House will be holding its spring fundraiser, Hope Blooms, virtually this year. The Port Huron non-profit is offering an interesting mix of items that are being raffled off.

Hunter Hospitality House provides free lodging to anyone who needs to stay close to either of Port Huron’s hospitals. They have two bed and breakfast style homes and one family home.

Executive Director Tracy Willard said, “We’re really grateful for how the community always comes through for us with this important fundraiser. Once again, three Woman’s Life Chapters are providing matching funds up to $500 for donations and purchases of raffle tickets.”

Raffle items include a large screen tv, a Shinola watch, and many others. There are also sponsorship opportunities. The prizes will be drawn on April 28th, but tickets are on sale now.

Willard said, “Individuals and businesses donated really wonderful prizes, and we’re already hearing from sponsors. Supporting HHH through Hope Blooms ensures guests will receive free hospital lodging and abundant amenities.”

For more information, go to hunterhospitalityhouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Museums Looking for Artists for Upcoming Exhibit

Did pandemic life spark your creativity and inspire some artwork? The Carnegie Museum in Downtown Port Huron is looking for artists who want to display their work and perhaps make some money from the sale of their work. The exhibit is called “Perspectives: Art Out of the Pandemic”.

The exhibit opens on April 23rd but now is the time for artists to start submitting their work. The exhibit is open to local artists who work in all forms of media. Painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and other mediums are all part of the exhibit. While the exhibit name references the pandemic, the art does not need to be about COVID-19, but it should have been created during the pandemic.

Artists who wish to offer their art for sale are able to do so, with the Museum taking a small commission. The exhibit will be held on the Mezzanine through July 22nd.  

Artists have until April 1st to register up to five pieces. Port Huron Museums will decide what pieces they will display. A link to the registration form can be found below.

phmuseum.org/art

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland