sports

PH Victory Day Planned for August 12th; Sign Up By June 10th

Victory Day is a tradition in the Port Huron area, and this year’s event is already in the works. The annual football game that includes participants of all abilities is scheduled for August 12, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Victory Day is described as an evening of education, inspiration, and fun. Children and young adults with special needs, aged six to 26 are invited to register by Friday, June 10th.

Victory Day will feature all the things that make a football game fun: marching band, cheerleaders, and jerseys. Participants will have a chance to run or catch a pass to score a touchdown with play-by-play announcing. Each child will get a medal after the event to remember the special day.

Sports teams, service groups, and staff from Port Huron High School will volunteer to make the day memorable for participants and families.

For more information about getting signed up for Victory Day, go to the PH Victory Day Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/phvictoryday

Reporting from WGRT – Jennie McClelland

June 4th River Run to Benefit VNA & Blue Water Hospice

If you have ever had an experience with hospice or home care, you know how important it is. There’s an easy and fun way to show your support for Visiting Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice. The River Run is a 10K, 5K, 3-mile Walk, and 1-mile Fun Run that raises money to provide care for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

The River Run will be held on the morning of Saturday, June 4th at Marysville Park. Registration is open now, with reduced rates and a t-shirt included through May 22nd. Sponsorships are available and volunteers are needed to assist with the race. Packet pickup is June 3rd.

Angela DeLaere, president and CEO of VNA & Blue Water Hospice, said, “This is our largest annual fundraiser for VNA & Blue Water Hospice, and we rely on the support of our very generous community, and after a two-year pandemic break, we’re excited to be back.” 

For more information about supporting VNA and Blue Water Hospice with the River Run,  Sign up at www.vnabwh.org/river-run or call VNA at (810) 984-4131. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Prowlers Sign on for Another Five Years at McMorran

Port Huron will be the home of the Prowlers for at least five more years. The Federal Prospects Hockey League team has renewed their lease at McMorran Place in Downtown Port Huron until 2027.

In a statement on their website, the organization thanked the fans and said they are “ecstatic” to continue their relationship with McMorran. The Prowlers have been the home team in Port Huron since 2016.

Owner Barry Soskin described the team as “Bringing a Championship to the city in our first season, setting milestones and breaking professional hockey records for wins and winning streaks in our third year.”

He also said, “The arena is in the center of an expanding downtown, and we are excited to be a part of that growth.”

Regular season games conclude this weekend with Port Huron businessman and former Port Huron Beacons hockey player, Casey Harris, making an appearance on the ice on Saturday when the Prowlers take on the Columbus River Dragons.

The Prowlers have clinched a playoff spot with league playoffs starting immediately after the regular season.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detroit Chosen for 2024 NFL Draft; Free Preview Party April 14th

The National Football League has selected Detroit as the host for the 2024 NFL Draft. The decision is expected to have huge economic impacts on the entire southeastern Michigan region.

Football fans have gotten more and more excited about the draft in recent years, and the event is expected to bring in hundreds of thousands of people. Along with the actual player draft, there will be a “Draft Experience” football theme park.

Who cares about the NFL Draft? A lot of people. Pre-covid, a crowd of over 600,000 attended the 2019 draft in Nashville, Tennessee. The event is televised over three days with 6.1 million viewers in 2021.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The draft has become a prominent offseason event across the country, and we are excited to work with the Lions and their partners to bring the 2024 NFL Draft to the Motor City.”

The actual draft will be held in Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit, and the Detroit Sports Commission is hosting a free event on April 14th to give some previews of the Draft that is coming to the city in 2024.

Draft Preview Details

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Softball is Back With the New Port Huron Athletic Association

The Port Huron Athletic Association is a newly established recreational softball league that is set to bring exciting games to both players and spectators.

The Association just started this year and is gearing up for a fresh season with men’s, women’s, and youth leagues.

Softball Coordinator Brian Larsen said that the league was created to bring softball games back to Pine Grove Park, Knox Field, and 16th Street fields in Port Huron. The new Port Huron Athletic Association replaces the Port Huron Competitive Sports Association, which folded during the pandemic.

Larsen said that he hopes to have full leagues in all divisions. There has been a lot of interest so far, and there are enough teams to get leagues started soon.

You don’t have to play to be part of the fun. The public is invited to watch the games. Larsen said, “There used to be packed stands at Pine Grove Park for league Modified games. It would be great to see that again.”

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

https://www.porthuronrec.com/phaasoftball

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Big Reds Believe Charity Basketball Game March 11th

Port Huron High School will be hosting their annual Big Reds Believe basketball game on March 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the Port Huron High School Gym. The game pits senior basketball players against staff to raise money for charity. This year’s game will raise money for one of their own: 11th grader, Andrew Kolinski.

Sydney Grewe, a teacher and Student Council advisor, said, “After taking a break due to COVID we are back and are supporting junior Andrew Kolinski. Andrew was diagnosed with cancer over the summer and underwent surgery to remove the cancer, and at the moment he is cancer-free! All of the funds raised will be donated to Andrew’s family to help with his medical expenses.”

The money is raised with donations at the entrance to the event, t-shirt sales, a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale, a concession stand, and a silent auction.

Can’t make it to the game? Order a t-shirt today to support this community effort. T-shirts cost $20 and need to be ordered by March 3rd.

https://phhswebelieve.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland