TV Signing Day Special to announce college choices of Michigan's top-rated high school football players

Southfield, Mich. (MMD Newswire) January 18, 2016 — Michigan football fans eager to learn the collegiate futures of their favorite high school players will also benefit from insightful analysis, expert commentary and even some breaking news when the College Recruiting and Signing Day Special airs on Fox Sports Detroit on Saturday, January 30, at 11:00 a.m.

This marks the fourth year that the program, the only one of its kind in Michigan, has been produced by State Champs! Sports Network, the Emmy-award winning show that pioneered the concept of television coverage dedicated to Michigan high school sports.

Again this year, Lorne Plant, longtime host of State Champs! High School Sports, the network’s flagship show, along with co-host Ryan Terpstra, will head up an expert panel of commentators, including:

- Tom Markowski, State Champs! analyst and former high school sports beat writer for the Detroit News;

- Scott Bernstein, Oakland Press staff writer;

- Allen Trieu, recruiting analyst for Scout.com;

- Rico Beard, cohost of the Ryan & Rico Show on Detroit Sports 105.1 FM;

- Sam Webb, Go Blue Wolverines magazine editor and cohost of The Michigan Insider on WTKA-AM in Ann Arbor.

Several athletes will be on hand to announce their college decisions on the show.

The show will also feature the following segments:

Michigan Top 10 Blue Chips, presented by Lawrence Tech, in which panelists will discuss the top 10 recruits, including their high school careers and their potential impact on the Big Ten, the Mid-American Conference, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Best of the Rest – a quick tour of the state for a look at some high school football stars and where they will play their college ball;

Wolverines vs. Spartans -Ryan Terpstra will moderate a passionate debate between Sam Webb and Rico Beard on all things recruiting for the MSU and U of M football teams;

College Conference Cross Talk will feature Terpstra again as he and Allen Trieu discuss recruits who will play for the MAC, GLIAC, NAIA and MIAA;

Who’s Next – Presented by Hungry Howie’s, this feature will look at the top juniors in the state of Michigan;
The Recruiting Roundtable – Lorne Plant will get the perspective of Tom Markowski and Allen Trieu on where recruiting once was and where is today.

The show’s hosts will also announce the lineup for the 2016 Tim Hortons Prep Kickoff, the three-day weekend opening of the Michigan high school football season at Wayne State University’s Tom Adams Field.

“Signing Day is an opportunity to celebrate the quality athletes coming out of the state of Michigan and to learn how they will be continuing their careers at the next level,” said Plant.

“State Champs! Is uniquely qualified to carry the Signing Day Special,” said Lou Bitonti, network President. “We’ve covered the event for four straight years, and, more important, our focus for more than a decade on Michigan high school sports coverage has yielded unique insights into Michigan high school talent. That makes us a major resource for recruiters.”

STATE CHAMPS! High School Sports Show is a weekly, half hour TV program providing a comprehensive look at the athletic events, lives and accomplishments of Michigan’s high school athletes. Along with providing highlights and game recaps, we also include in-depth features on standout high school programs, outstanding student athletes, coaching excellence, statewide sports Contests and Awards including Mr. Football and High School Hockey Player of the Year, and much more.

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Contacts:
 Lou Bitonti – 248-760-1799

Lorne Plant – 248-262-7522