LOCAL SPORTS

The Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Day Classic will be held on Nov. 24 against the Buffalo Bills and will feature a halftime performance by Bebe Rexha and DJ David Guetta.

Hundreds of soccer teams are convening in Metro Detroit this holiday weekend to compete for the coveted Canton Cup.

The Detroit Tigers game against the Colorado Rockies on Friday has been postponed due to rain.

Invited by his former San Francisco 49ers coach, Jim Harbaugh, Colin Kaepernick was the honorary captain at the Michigan spring game Saturday.

Detroit Pistons play-by-play announcer George Blaha underwent a successful heart bypass procedure Tuesday, the team announced.

Play-by-play Pistons announcer George Blaha is undergoing a heart procedure that will cause him to miss the rest of the 2021-2022 season, officials said Sunday.

Voting has wrapped in Local 4′s Winter 4Frenzy. Now, our Kim DeGiulio takes us to L’Anse Creuse High School to highlight one of our basketball nominees.

Kim DeGiulio takes you to a unique gymnastics practice, where three schools are working together: Groves and Seaholm high schools for Birmingham Unified Gymnastics, and Troy High School gymnastics.

Dearborn's Divine Child Figure Skating Team shows off their moves for Local 4's Kim DeGiulio.

The NHL pushed back its return from an already extended holiday break an extra day by postponing its entire 14-game Monday schedule for COVID-19 testing reasons.

A young man from Farmington is making waves in the world of snowboarding as one of the fastest rising stars in the industry.

Detroit native Everette Fitzhugh has been following his professional hockey dreams without even having to lace up his skates. He now works as a broadcaster for the Seattle Kraken.

The group text for the Notre Dame Prep freshman basketball team was created to talk about practice and ride sharing. Vinny Tartaglia was in charge of adding cell phone numbers.

A Detroit high school football team was the target of racial slurs as they were celebrating their semifinal win last week.

Saturday at the Big House it’s the 117th meeting between Michigan and Ohio State.

The Detroit Grand Prix’s proposal to move the race to the streets of Downtown Detroit was approved by Detroit City Council on Nov. 3.

No matter where you turn, It seems like everyone is still talking about the Motor City melee that happened on the court at Little Caesars Arena between LeBron James and Pistons, Isaiah Stewart.

Detroit City FC will be joining the USL Championship for the 2022 season.

It is one of the most anticipated matchups in the history of this rivalry and kickoff is Saturday (Oct. 30) at Spartan Stadium.

The guys from Barstool Sports were hard at work Friday afternoon setting up for their show in Cedar Village.

The Sparty statue was a destination for many fans of both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on Friday afternoon -- and there was an overall buzz all over campus.

There is a new program focusing on the growth of youth soccer in Black communities across the country. People right in Detroit are playing a central role in getting it off the ground.

Alma Tatem is a senior at West Bloomfield High School who is known for her power on the softball field. Off the field, she’s known for her spirit of giving back.

The Mount Clemens High varsity football team was excited for Friday night’s homecoming game against Potterville.

The Mount Clemens High varsity football team was excited for Friday night’s homecoming game against Potterville.

Amanda Chidester came back to her alma mater, St. Frances Cabrini High School in Allen Park, with an Olympic medal around her neck

Survivors of Larry Nassar joined forces with survivors of Robert Anderson in Lansing Thursday.

Michigan fans said the concession lines at home games are long and it takes forever to get food.

United Wholesale Mortgage announced Wednesday a sponsorship deal with Michigan State University that will give 133 student athletes $500 monthly stipends.

The sun wasn’t the only thing shining Saturday at the Big House.

Wolverine fans were rewarded with a big win Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium.

“I’m just excited for the energy of the place, to say the least,” Gaffney said. “I’ll wear a mask as long as I can get into the Big House.”

After beating out 7,400 other little league teams to win it all, the players of the Taylor North Little League saw the city turn out to celebrate them.

The Taylor North Little League team defeated a squad from Ohio to take home the Little League World Series title.

Taylor North Little League parents and coaches were all invited out to Comerica Park as a special way for the Detroit Tigers to say congratulations.

After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic is back.

Coach Dan Campbell said he appreciates Heim’s grit and perseverance.

As of Aug. 4, there are less than 40 days are left until the Detroit Lions kick off its season at Ford Fields against the San Francisco 49ers.

Overall Team USA has 73 Olympic medals and 47 of those have been won by female athletes.

The historic Hamtramck Stadium is set to get a multi-million dollar renovation.

Family and friends of Olympian Annie Lazor packed into a Bloomfield Hills home to watch her compete in her first Olympic race.

The Detroit Lions will host fans at full capacity at Ford Field for the 2021 season after being closed to fans in 2020.

The Olympic trials continue on the track in Oregon and on the mat in Saint Louis.

Local 4 is learning more of the 800-plus former University of Michigan athletes who have come forward accusing Dr. Robert Anderson of sexual abuse during exams.

Shohei Ohtani yielded five hits and a run over six strong innings, and Taylor Ward hit his first career grand slam in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Pato O’Ward has become IndyCar’s first repeat winner of the season by charging through the field on a final restart to snatch the victory away from Josef Newgarden at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park.

Having a good team can mean the difference between taking home a win or going home empty handed -- the same goes for the other side of the track.

Their games might be slower and with fewer home runs, but it is still a game of passion.

A high school senior who runs for Ann Arbor Skyline is shattering records on the track and now has his eyes on Tokyo.

A high school senior who runs for Ann Arbor Skyline is shattering records on the track and now has his eyes on Tokyo.

Luis Urías hit a shot that bounced over the wall and brought home Omar Narváez with the winning run in the 10th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Detroit Tigers 3-2.

There was a group of people who played a fundamental role in the Detroit Pistons’ season -- but they didn’t do any scoring or rebounding.

Allison Schmitt is an Olympic gold medalist who is training for her fourth potential Olympic Games.

April 26 is a day Clintondale senior pitcher Ethan Zabel won’t forget.

Jeimer Candelario hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the 10th inning, and the Detroit Tigers held off the Boston Red Sox for a 6-5 victory.

The city partnered with the Pistons in the hopes of boosting vaccination rates. Detroit is lagging behind other cities with only about 30% vaccinated.

The city of Detroit is teaming up with the Detroit Pistons for a special COVID-19 vaccination event this weekend.

There are 2.6 million people in Michigan who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

A program launching in Detroit is looking to show minority students the world of motorsports.

There’s another issue popping up involving school sports -- this one involves the testing of student athletes.

A University of Michigan senior has come up with a creative business idea by working alongside his favorite team.

Two weeks ago, the Michigan Health and Human Services issued an emergency order requiring student-athletes in contact sports to be tested regularly for COVID.

A high school sports advocacy group and some parents have sued Michigan, seeking to stop a new requirement that all teen athletes be regularly tested for the coronavirus.

DETROIT – Last year, Opening Day was sweltering in Detroit -- which probably has something to do with it being held in July because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, Opening Day is unfolding on time, but with much colder temperatures in addition to new health and safety restrictions. Related: Here’s the Detroit Tigers lineup for Opening Day vs. Cleveland IndiansDespite the frigid cold this Thursday, Opening Day temperatures have been steadily rising over the last few decades due to global warming. AdSince 1970, Opening Day temps have increased by an average 3.3 degrees -- a statistically significant upward trend. Opening Day in Detroit will look much different this year compared to other years due to the pandemic.

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear is shifting back to its one-weekend format for 2021. AdWe are excited to bring the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear back to Belle Isle in 2021 and return to a traditional one-weekend format June 11 through the 13, featuring five great races with three incredible racing series. All three series will host races on June 12, with the first Indy Lights racing action on Belle Isle since 2012. Tickets for the Grand Prix are expected to go on sale within the next few weeks. IMSA joins the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights for one amazing race weekend on Belle Isle... Posted by Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Thursday, March 25, 2021Learn more about the Grand Prix below:

NOVI – The Novi High School hockey team geared up for Tuesday’s quarterfinals but over the weekend, the season was in jeopardy. Novi played Livonia Stevenson Saturday in the regional final -- a game that ended in an overtime win for the Wildcats. The Wildcats were riding high until Novi’s athletic director received a call from a team they played Thursday in the regional semi-final. There was a positive COVID case on the opposing team, meaning the team would have to quarantine and the season would be over. “A high school hockey game will never be put in front of that, our kids safety or anybody’s safety...

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced on Wednesday, March 10, the sites for indoor winter sports championship rounds. The Competitive Cheer Finals will move to Breslin Center to allow more fans to attend compared to other venues that were being considered. Girls BasketballWhere: Division 1 and 3 Semifinals at Breslin Center in East Lansing. All four Finals will be played at Breslin Center. All four Finals will be played at Breslin Center.

DEARBORN, Mich. – Twenty members of University of Michigan-Dearborn’s softball team have been suspended after holding practice. The team was originally not allowed to practice for three weeks, but that changed to a two-game suspension for the players. This absolutely feels like retaliation against a young student athlete who called them on the carpet and they didn’t like it,” said Skene’s father, Doug Skene. Doug Skene said this type of first-time infraction should merit a warning as opposed to mass suspensions. Not only was it not allowed, now it’s being recognized as punished,” Doug Skene said.

DETROIT – Elite basketball players often turn pro right after high school, or after a few years of college. His brother signed Haywood up for a high school all-star basketball game in Detroit. He even won a state title at Pershing High School. Haywood wasn’t four years removed from high school, which at the time, was an NBA rule. Despite tensions with the NBA for decades, Haywood was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

DEARBORN – University of Michigan-Dearborn athletes made a plea Thursday after the university cancelled spring sports season for the second straight year. The decision was made Wednesday despite other schools in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference continuing on with their sports. When Skene and the rest of her softball teammates received an email Wednesday canceling the spring sports season again, she said it was heartbreaking. However, Skene started making calls of her own and shared her findings at Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting. “The biggest thing is that we are finally heard and actually being listened to this time, instead of just told to keep our mouth shut and do what we’re told to,” Skene said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In a usual February, the University of Michigan Women’s Soccer season would be over and done with but because of COVID-19, it’s just beginning. The team spoke with Local 4 about last year and their layoff from game competition. READ: COVID pandemic leads to shortage of referees for Michigan high school sportsThey ended last year on a high note. They had a Big 10 final appearance and they made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. They want to win the Big 10 and make it farther in the NCAA Tournament than they did last year.

The battle over high school sports may be settled for now in Michigan, but there’s a new issue emerging because of the coronavirus pandemic. A lot of referees are choosing to stay on the sidelines and sitting it out, at least for now, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association will have to work around it. He said that’s worst-case scenario because the MHSAA is determined to let student athletes play despite officials being down in Michigan by about 30%. Scott Waldendowski -- who officiates in the Macomb Area Conference -- said he sees firsthand there’s a lot of work for officials like himself. READ: Michigan high school basketball, hockey players have to wear masks during gamesDue to the shortage, MHSAA is currently hiring.

SAN FRANCISCO – Stephen Curry scored 28 points, knocking down six 3-pointers, and the Golden State Warriors raced to an early lead on the way to a 118-91 rout of the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. AdThe Pistons, similar to Golden State, are trying to gain momentum but couldn’t build off a big win two nights earlier with a cold night shooting. ... Curry and Brad Wanamaker had seven assists apiece, and Draymond Green added six as Golden State finished with 34. 2 draft pick James Wiseman came off the bench for the fourth straight game and contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. ... Golden State is 2-2 at home vs. the East.

LANSING, Mich. – A group of high school parents is preparing to sue the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director, demanding indoor sports be reinstated by next week. The health department has not indicated it’s interested in reinstating indoor sports. READ: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sportsThe group, Let Them Play, Inc. sent a letter to new MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel. It’s promising a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are reopened by next Monday. Kampe tweeted that he wanted to see high school sports opened back up.

DETROIT – The University of Detroit Mercy has pulled the plug on the rest of the women’s basketball season amid complaints that the coach is abusing her players. The university announced Thursday night that the women’s basketball season is over, after some serious claims against the program. “Emotional abuse, physical abuse in terms of going way over the allotted hours the NCAA provides. The allegations were made by parents of the 14 players on the team, saying the problem is with first-year coach Ann Marie Gilbert. We have talked with all players and members of our women’s basketball program about their concerns.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Last March, the University of Michigan informed the Boxing Club that they would no longer be a sponsored sport. Despite their efforts to appeal, it looks like boxing will cease to exist on campus. The boxing club dates back to the 1940s and the modern iteration started back up in 1983. It’s a club sport, not varsity -- meaning the university sponsors it and provides the space to train. The university said the boxing club can pursue status as a voluntary student organization, which would allow students to continue to box.

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Kirk Cousins danced in the end zone after running for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings went on to celebrate the end of a disappointing season with a 37-35 win over the lowly Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings (7-9) failed for the fourth time in a decade to make two straight trips to the playoffs. The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia. In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights. Alexander Mattison ran for 16 yards to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Lions 25 with 2:28 left, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock to seal the win.

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball against Anthony Zettel #69 of the Detroit Lions and Tahir Whitehead #59 for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field on November 23, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – The Detroit Lions lost to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field in their last game of the season. Highlights: Cousins throws 3 TDs, Vikings end with 37-35 win over LionsBefore the gameThis season will end like so many others for Matthew Stafford: His Detroit Lions have a losing record and won’t be in the postseason. What’s different now is that there are real questions about Stafford’s future with the Lions. “All I’m thinking about is the Vikings and trying to get myself healthy.

Detroit Lions head coach Darrell Bevell carries a game ball as he leaves the field following a 34-30 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

It was announced that Wilson is retiring at the end of 2020. His retirement is giving him some time to reflect on all that he helped achieve in Detroit sports over the course of four decades. He spent 32 years working for former Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson. First, with the Pistons and most notably as president and CEO of Palace Sports and Entertainment. In February 2010, Wilson was hired by Olympia Entertainment to help develop a new home for the Red Wings.

DETROIT – Detroit Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell and four assistants will be forced to sit out Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay after two individuals in the organization tested positive for COVID-19. After the Lions let go head of coach Matt Patricia, Bevell stepped in as interim coach for the team. Now the Lions will have an interim coach to replace their interim coach who has to sit out Saturday’s game against the Buccaneers due to the NFL’s COVID protocols. On game day, Bevell won’t be able to communicate with the interim coaches. NFL rules state that the coaches can’t have any contact, so the assistant coaches stepping in will be all on their own.

DETROIT – Racing sailboats is a niche sport, but it’s popular here in the Great Lakes state. A new technology -- developed locally in the Motor City -- is a finalist for the World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award. Several local sailboat enthusiasts wanted to reduce the environmental impact of the sport and came up with a new technology that has them in the running for a big prize. “When we were selected, it was a pretty powerful moment for the whole team,” said Kevin Morin. Morin, along with 10 others, invented the MarkSetBot -- a done that hovers in the water and acts as a marker during sailboat races.

Michigan’s “three-week pause” is set to expire on Dec. 8, meaning fall high school sports could wrap up and make way for winter sports. High school coaches and teams are eager to get back to playing -- especially at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, where the football team was three wins away from a state title. The Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) recently released dates for regionals, semi finals and final competitions, and the MLK Crusaders are ready to compete. But coaches say that if restrictions affecting high school sports are extended further than Dec. 8, fall teams likely won’t be able to finish their seasons this year. “... for us at Martin Luther King, (we’d) have to move on to 2021.”As for high school winter sports, wresting hasn’t yet begun.

DETROIT – Terry Duerod, a college basketball standout who played for Dick Vitale at the University of Detroit Mercy in the 1970s before winning an NBA title with the Boston Celtics, has died. The school announced Duerod's death Friday and said he'd been fighting Leukemia. Vitale said in that news release that he'd found out from Duerod's wife about his death. In 1977 — Vitale's last year coaching at the school — the Titans won an NCAA Tournament game for the first time. He played two more at Detroit after that, averaging 23.3 points a game as a senior and helping the team to another NCAA Tournament appearance.

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. – As COVID-19 cases rise throughout Michigan, high school sports teams must adapt to new policies and procedures. At Grosse Pointe South, the varsity girl’s basketball team has begun practicing for the winter season. Other high school winter sports are required to wear masks 100 percent of the time, like wrestling and competitive cheerleading. Geoff Kimmerly, a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) says the decision to play winter sports is left to each individual school district. Related: MHSAA confirms winter high school sports in Michigan will start on time

DETROIT – A Detroit Lions staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, officials announced Friday. The Lions' communications department issued a statement Friday evening saying that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 and the club is taking necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. “Our club was notified today that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes just after Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. Coronavirus cases are continuing to rise throughout the state of Michigan and the U.S.On Thursday, Michigan reported its single-highest increase in COVID-19 cases -- 5,170.

HOWELL, Mich. – Inclusion is a word that’s being used more often and it’s a concept that’s being put into action, especially in schools. One school is embracing inclusion to strongly that its getting national recognition for it. In Howell the Highlanders have a lot of school spirit and take a lot of pride in including everyone. Just this week, Howell was one of 36 high schools in the country -- and the only one from Michigan -- to be named to the 2020 ESPN Honor Roll. To be eligible the school has to demonstrate commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards.

DETROIT – In its first professional season, the Detroit City FC men’s side defeated the Oakland Roots, 2-1, to claim the Fall National Independent Soccer Association title under the lights at Keyworth Stadium on Friday night. City got off to a slow-paced start as Oakland was able to hold on to large amounts of possession in the first half hour. Le Rouge created a few opportunities as a Kevin Venegas cross whipped across the box in the 15th minute but missed the foot of three separate DCFC players. Le Rouge entered the final 45 minutes once again needing a spark. Carroll played every minute over the five matches in the 12-day span for Le Rouge.

DETROIT – Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is typically pretty quiet outside of the game of football. But when it comes to racism and police brutality, he feels the need to speak up. It’s time we stop pretending, or defending, or just closing our eyes to what’s right in front of us. “If you’re being silent, you’re OK with it,” Detroit safety Duron Harmon said. "You’re OK with what’s happening.

DETROIT – If the Detroit Lions' first game was any indication, their “Dagger Time” mantra could use some sharpening. For a second consecutive season, the Lions blew a big fourth-quarter lead in their opening game. On Sunday against Chicago, the Lions allowed the last 21 points in a 27-23 loss to the Bears. Rookie D'Andre Swift, who had scored the game's first touchdown in the second quarter, dropped what could have been the winning TD with 6 seconds left. Don't let this get you down,'” said Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 93 yards in his first game with the Lions.

She not only dedicated her career to working with children with special needs, but when when she walks through the elementary school doors, she really mixes it up. Zappitella is small in stature at 4 feet, 11 inches -- not much taller than the elementary school students she worked with. “I knew I wanted to be a fighter.”As a professional MMA fighter, Zappitella is 7-2 -- a bulldog in the game. “If you were making assumptions about her stature, you would be wrong.”Like the assumption that a 4′11″ educator couldn’t also be an MMA World Champion. "I don’t like fighting, but when I get in that cage, I’m a warrior”Zappitella is the main event.

LIVONIA, Mich. – The Livonia community is mourning the loss of a former Franklin High School football coach and his wife. Armand Vigna, 84, died Tuesday of coronavirus (COVID-19) -- and just 12 hours later his wife of 61 years, Ruth Vigna, died. Friday night almost felt like a game night -- but the people there were mostly former players and coaches. The school honored Vigna with the marquee lights, field lights and lit the scoreboard up with the final score from the 1975 championship game. One final Friday night lights for the former coach and his wife.

Detroit Tigers legend and Hall of Famer Al Kaline died Monday, April 6If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

West Bloomfield football player considered one of the best in the countryPublished: January 23, 2020, 6:32 pmA West Bloomfield football player is considered to be one of the best in the country.