FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

4-28-26 The Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSCA), the professional organization representing school coaches and athletic directors across the state, is proud to announce that Brenden Olsen of Niles High School has been selected as one of eight statewide recipients of the prestigious MHSCA Rich Tompkins Multi-Sport Athlete Award.

Olsen will be formally recognized during the Niles Senior Honors Award Ceremony later this spring. His selection highlights his outstanding contributions to athletics, academics, and the community throughout his high school career. The nomination and selection process for the Rich Tompkins Multi-Sport Award is conducted through each coach’s constituent sport association and the MHSCA. This award celebrates student-athletes who have demonstrated exceptional commitment by participating in interscholastic athletics across three seasons annually, earning multiple varsity letters, and contributing meaningfully to their school and broader community.

Olsen’s achievements reflect great credit upon himself, Niles High School, and the Niles community. Selection criteria
included athletic participation and success, leadership, academic excellence, and involvement in school and community
activities. Being chosen as one of only eight winners statewide from a highly competitive pool of nominees is a remarkable honor.

The MHSCA, a 72-year-old organization representing nearly 15,000 coaches and athletic administrators, remains dedicated to promoting the educational value of interscholastic athletics. We are proud to recognize student-athletes like Brenden Olsen, whose commitment and values exemplify the very best of high school sports.

Congratulations to Brenden Olsen and Niles High School for this outstanding achievement.

About the award…

Rich Tompkins

The MHSCA Rich Tompkins Multi-Sport Athlete Award is presented by the Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSCA). It honors outstanding Michigan high school senior athletes who demonstrate long-term commitment to multiple sports while excelling in academics, leadership, and community service.

Background

The award is named after Rich Tompkins, a former Hart High School athlete, Reeths-Puffer teacher/coach, and MHSCA executive director who passed away in 2015. It celebrates “multi-sport” athletes in an era when specialization has become more common.

Tompkins was a legendary coach, particularly in cross country and track, most famously at Fremont High School, where he built strong programs and raised the standard for runners and coaches in West Michigan. He was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions.

He passed away on July 21, 2015, while water skiing at Silver Lake. His funeral was held in Hart, Michigan. The multi-sport award and the annual Rich Tompkins Cross Country Award continue to honor his emphasis on well-rounded athletic participation, academics, leadership, and community involvement rather than single-sport specialization.