2 Thursday, October 31, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.comSee HALL on 3Brian
Mitchell
Class of 1993
Brian Mitchell
was a three-
sport athlete at
Harper Creek,
earning seven
total varsity
letters. Brian
played foot-
ball, basketball and baseball during
his high school career. Brian was
a standout baseball player earning
three varsity and All-City, All-
League, All-District, All-Region and
All-State honorable mention honors.
He pitched three no hitters, had
183 strikeouts and 20 career pitchingHarper Creek inducts 7 into Athletics Hall of Fame
On Oct. 25, the following
seven people were
inducted into Harper
Creek High School
Athletics Hall of Fame:
wins. In basketball, he was domi-
nant, earning two varsity letters, was
named to the All-City team and was
team captain for two years. At the
time of his graduation, he held the
record for the most 3-point baskets in
a season (46), the most 3-point bas-
kets in a career (82), the most assists
in a season (15), and the most assists
in a career (195). Brian also played
football, earning two varsity letters.
Brian went on to play baseball at
Kellogg Community College and
Eastern Michigan University, earning
two varsity letters.
He is most proud of the Eastern
Michigan baseball’s team win versus
the University of Michigan.
Brian earned his degree in
Secondary Education at Eastern
Michigan. He is currently lives
in Hanahan, S.C. with his wife
Stephanie and two children where
he is a high school teacher and head
baseball coach with 370 wins.Chad
Dishaw
Teacher/
Coach
Chad Dishaw
graduated
from Albion
High School,
then went
on to pursue
his degree
at Olivet College and Western
Michigan University. Harper Creek
was lucky to employee him in 1995.
Chad truly knows how to bring out
the joy and success in kids. He has
done that in the classroom for the
past 28 years, and on the fields while
coaching for 20 years.
Chad is currently in his 28th year
of teaching at Harper Creek. He
coached varsity baseball for 21
years, JV football 19 years and fresh-
men boys basketball for two years.
Chad’s football career record was
128-30 and had 11 undefeated sea-
sons.
While coaching baseball, his career
record was 399-246 and he earned
three city championships, a league
championship, seven district champi-
onships and one regional champion-
ship.
He was also named City Coach
of the Year in 2013 and 2017, and
District Coach of the Year in 2013,
2014 and 2017, and Regional Coach
of the Year in 2017.
Chad is the true meaning of Harper
Creek pride; his loyalty, dedication
and leadership are immeasurable.
Chad is currently still teaching at
Harper Creek Middle School, and
enjoys spending time with his wife
Kelly, and two adult children, TJ and
Reagan.Steve Swan
Class of 1972
Steve Swan
played four
sports while
attending
Harper Creek
High School.
Steve gradu-
ated high school
earning a total
of seven varsity letters in football,baseball, golf and track. In football,
Steve was named to the All-League
team, voted team captain and was
named All-State by three different
associations. He was an integral part
of the first league championship
football team at Harper Creek in
1971.
In track, Steve remains on the all-
time record list at number 11 for shot
put. After graduation, Steve went on
to play football at the University of
Arizona for one year. He continued
at Hillsdale College, participating in
football and track for two years.
Steve qualified for the NAIA
Nationals in track in the hammer
throw. After finishing at Hillsdale
College, Steve became the assis-
tant baseball coach at Kellogg
Community College, focusing on
hitting and strength training. Now,
Steve and his wife Cyndi split their
time between living in Michigan and
Florida.
Bre
Birmingham
Class of
2011
Bre
Birmingham
was a dedi-
cated athlete
whose basket-
ball journey
spanned high
school and college, marked excellent
leadership and achievement both on
and off the court.
During her high school career, Bre
showcased exceptional talent as a
four-year varsity member and three-
year captain, leading the team to
numerous championships, including
SMAC championships anddistrict
championships.
Her performance earned All-City
and All-League selections. Bre
was named to the All-State team
her senior year, participated in
the BCAM All Star game and the
3-point shooting competition and
was nominated for the McDonald’s
All-American Award.
Continuing her athletic jour-
ney, Bre played at Kalamazoo
Valley Community College. At85 Calhoun St., Battle Creek, MI 49017 • 269-964-