A2 Had A Year Full of Highlights. Here’s How.
It was an incredible year for athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers in the Ann Arbor area. The Ann Arbor Sports Commission hosted several marquee events that brought energy and excitement to the region, all while further positioning the area as a premier destination to compete at a high level.
Recognizing Our Women Athletes
In February, the second annual Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports continued its push to level the playing field. The event featured an educational panel that discussed finding success in sports and life. Plus, there were two sponsored college games in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, with meet and greets with athletes from Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball and the University of Michigan women’s hockey teams.
Before the Eastern Michigan game, youth athletes also got the chance to participate in a college-level clinic. And it wasn’t all about basketball – attendees received professional, high-quality coaching in six other sports as well.
High School Swim and Dive Championships
Michael H. Jones Natatorium at Eastern Michigan University was home to the MHSAA Boys Division 3 Swimming and Diving Championships in mid-March. Athletes from schools across the state got to compete in the facility’s world-class pool.
Ypsilanti Flies High
Eastern Michigan University’s George Gervin GameAbove Center hosted the ninth annual NAIA Competitive Cheer and Dance National Championships in late March. Twelve dance teams and 15 cheer squads showcased world-class athleticism in a venue that proved to be perfect for athletes and fans.
Drive, Putt and Play
Ypsilanti’s Eagle Crest Golf Club shined at the 30th Annual NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship in mid-May. The golf action didn’t stop as the American Junior Golf Association’s Ann Arbor Preview was held in mid-June at Ann Arbor’s Leslie Park Golf Course. Both courses looked top-tier, and the volunteers kept the pace of play moving during these prestigious tournaments.
State Championship Lacrosse
The exceptional University of Michigan Lacrosse Stadium hosted both the MHSAA boys and girls lacrosse finals, June 6–7. The event saw teams from metro Detroit and Grand Rapids compete for the title.
Rock and Row
The Sports Commission did more than dip its toes in the competitive rowing waters – it went all in – starting with the Ford Lake Cup regatta on April 26 that featured eight women’s collegiate rowing teams. The momentum continued July 12–20 with the 2025 USRowing RowFest National Championships, which further solidified the area as a premier rowing destination. Both events were held at Eastern Michigan University’s scenic Rowing Course on Ford Lake, a new facility that opened in April 2024.
Ann Arbor On Ice
Ann Arbor is in a prime position to stretch the hockey season, and we took advantage by packing the calendar full of thrilling competitions. The Big Bear Tournament events were held at Arctic Coliseum from August 2024 to May 2025, and they’re returning for the 2025-26 season.
That’s not all the frozen fun happening in Ann Arbor this year. Look out for the 29th Annual Porter Classic – a synchronized skating competition put on by the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club, coming to the BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube this December.
From basketball to rowing, golf to cheerleading, the Ann Arbor area – thanks to its dedicated team from the Sports Commission – put the spotlight on athletic excellence and community spirit in 2025.
