BHHS Honors Alumni Athletes as 2024 Inductees into the Hall of Fame

The Black Hawk Hall of Fame expanded significantly at Bloomfield Hills High School on Friday, September 20, 2024, as four individuals and four teams were recognized for their outstanding achievements as Black Hawk student athletes. The Hall of Fame was established in 2022 through the collaborative efforts of the BHS Athletic Director, Mike Cowdrey, School Board Member, Paul Kolin, and the Bloomfield Hills Athletics Boosters organization. 

Honored alumni athletes and their families were invited to a ceremony at BHHS held in the Main Street area. This is where the Hall of Fame plaques are proudly displayed for all students and visitors to admire. Cowdrey opened the ceremony explaining, “The Hall of Fame is to honor former student athletes who have been out of school for a minimum of five years. The athletes were either state champions, runner up in the state, or all state.” Cowdrey then presented the first inductee, John Schihl, a Black Hawk swimmer. In 2014, Schihl was a State Champion and recorded the second fastest time in the state of Michigan for his 100 meter backstroke!

Next, teacher and former golf coach, Brendan Harrington, presented the Hall of Fame awards to two golfers. Abbey Pierce played as a Black Hawk beginning in 2012. Pierce was all-league for three seasons, led the team to the state finals for three seasons, was all-county, honorable mention all-state, and academic all-state in her 12th grade year. Harrington said, “She is the foundation of this program and I am forever grateful to Abbey for as far as this program has come. I began the Abbey Pierce Leadership Award, which goes to a deserving senior for outstanding leadership on and off the course.”

Mikaela Schulz joined the golf team as a 9th grade student in 2014. Schulz was first team all-state in her first season and helped lead the team to a 3rd place finish at the state finals. Schulz was Co-team Captain and named metro Detroit's female golfer of the year as an 11th and 12th grade student, and was team MVP all four seasons. Schulz was on the county dream team all four years as well. “She was such a great teammate and would make sure she would congratulate peers on their successes… It was a privilege and honor to be able to coach such a great student-athlete for four years,” commented Harrington.

The next inductees were presented by Paul Kolin. Kolin recognized the Boys Tennis teams: 2015 - State champions, 2016 - State runner-ups, 2017 - State champions, and 2018 - State champions! “Our boys were the most dominant tennis team in the state of Michigan. The 2018 team clinched the championship before the finals even started, which is remarkable!” exclaimed Kolin. “You are a point of pride for this district.” Tia Mukherjee was also honored for her role as Captain of the 2018 Girls tennis team and for winning the State championship at 1 Singles, and 2017 1 Singles runner-up.

Individual accomplishments of the Boys tennis players include:

Josh Mukherjee 2015 1 Singles runner up, 2016 1 Singles runner up

Andrew Zhang 2015 2 Singles Runner Up, 2016 2 Singles Champion, 2017 1 Singles

Runner Up, 2018 1 Singles Champion

Constantin Hemmrich 2015 3 Singles Champion, 2016 3 Singles Champion, 2017 3 Singles

Champion

Brad Silverman 2015 4 Singles Runner Up, 2015 4 Singles Runner Up

Cade Burman 2017 1 Doubles Champion, 2018 4 Singles Runner Up

Sebastian Burman 2017 1 Doubles Champion, 2018 3 Singles Champion

Vik Chakrabortty 2017 2 Doubles Champion

Chaz Blamo 2017 2 Doubles Champion

Chris Sauer 2017 3 Doubles Runner Up

Adrian Wilen 2017 3 Doubles Runner Up

Thomas Herb 2018 2 Singles Runner Up

Noah Roslin 2018 1 Doubles Champion

Adrian Wilen 2018 1 Doubles Champion

Andrew Chen 2018 2 Doubles Champion

Ryan Frank 2018 2 Doubles Champion

Max Nosanchuk 2018 3 Doubles Runner Up

Phoenix Williams 2018 3 Doubles Runner Up

Michael Lee 2019 4 Doubles Champion

James Peil 2019 4 Doubles Champion

The Bloomfield Hills Athletic Boosters, led by Debbie Guettler and Patsy Bugajewski, hosted a lovely reception featuring a light dinner, time for mingling, and opportunities to take pictures with the personalized plaques. Following the ceremony, all of the honored athletes and their families were invited to the Homecoming football game with reserved seating in the stands. During the halftime show, the athletes made their way onto the field at the 50-yard line as the announcer congratulated them and shared their individual accomplishments with the large crowd. Congratulations to the Hall of Fame class of 2024!