Cheboygan-- Mike Grisdale has been around Cheboygan athletics his entire life. On Friday September 13th, the community he has given so much to, gave back.
Mike went to Cheboygan high school himself, where he played wide receiver and led the Chiefs to a 9-0 record in 1978, kickstarting the programs 43-0 run.
“(I) staked my claim to the football broadcast to the basketball games and, just had an opportunity to a lot of people helped me out, and been fortunate enough to stick with it for 40 years.
A lot of exciting moments. Get to do games. At the Silverdome, the Breslin, the Palace, Chrysler Arena, all that” (Mike Grisdale).
Athletic Director Jason Friday realized Grisdale was approaching his 40th year on a broadcast alongside him and decided then that something needed to be done to honor him.
Friday came on air again this year and surprised Grisdale with the announcement that the field’s press box where Mike has called so many games would be named in his honor.
The ceremony featured a speech from Grisdale, and a video tribute featuring Michigan broadcasting legends like Dan Dickerson, Ken Cal, Dan Miller, and George Blaha.
The ceremony was held before the game against Elk Rapids, and Grisdale would return to his newly coined castle after the fact to call the game.
“People keep asking me is this a retirement ceremony? and I laugh at that because I don’t know if I ever picture him fully retired. I don’t know what that would even look like” (Bryan Grisdale, son).
“He does such a great job. He’s a true professional. And we’re just lucky to have someone like Mike calling the games every Friday night” (Jason Friday).
The game would be an exciting one, with Cheboygan taking home a victory to cap off the special night.
