City Honors Roosevelt Bears with a Parade

The Bears hockey team brought home the in school history last Saturday and the city came out in full strength Friday to show their appreciation.

Hundreds of people lined Biddle for a parade to cheer for the championship team. The weather cooperated as well, making for a good showing of fist-pumping and cheering fans.

Roosevelt senior Anthony Hostman was one of many students on hand.

"I’m pretty excited," Hostman said. "I’ve been waiting a long time for (a Wyandotte team) to win states."

, the parade began on Sycamore and headed east to Biddle and ended on Elm.

The players rode in the back of pickup trucks, two of which were donated for the day by Southgate Lincoln Mercury. The crowd cheered wildly and snapped countless pictures as each vehicle with team members slowly rolled by.

Along the way, players waved to fans and a few tossed candies to kids in the crowd. 

“It was a great turnout," goaltender Chase Schmittou said. “It brought people together for the city.”

Head coach Mike Quint said he was impressed by all of the fan support.

“This parade was very touching," he said afterward. "Just unbelievable.”

As the parade ended, the crowd gathered on Elm for an informal ceremony to honor the players and coaches. 

Mayor and assistant coach Joe Peterson got things started by noting the overall importance of the team’s accomplishment. 

“Nothing like a state championship at a time when the city needs it,” Peterson said.  “Thank you, boys.”

Peterson and others also acknowledged the team’s success in the classroom this year. Wyandotte was honored as an, having earned a combined grade point average of 3.14.

State Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), whose district includes Wyandotte, announced at the ceremony that he wants the Bears to come to Lansing. Hopgood said he would officially recognize the team on the floor of the state capital building.

“The outstanding work of the team is evident, not only on the ice, but in the classroom,” Hopgood said. “Both of those things are things you can take with you and have with you for the rest of your life.”

State Rep. Andrew Kandrevas (D-Southgate) and Wayne County Commissioner Joseph Palamara (D-Grosse Ile) also spoke at the ceremony.  Both of their districts include Wyandotte.

Richard Miller, president of the Wyandotte Democratic Club, spoke on behalf of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Miller, a 1969 Roosevelt graduate, presented the team with a certificate of congressional recognition signed by Stabenow. 

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-13 District) also sent representatives to speak on their behalf. 

The day closed with team members acknowledging everyone who backed them on their way to the state title.

"I just want to thank all the students at our school and all the fans that came out (and) supported us this year," junior defenseman Kyle King said. “It was great seeing all of the support and we’re going to do it again next year.”