Thumb Sportswriters’ Hall of Fame Inaugural Class
Seven Locals Enshrined in Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
In its ongoing mission to highlight student-athletes from the Thumb, the Thumb Sportswriters Association is pleased to announce its inaugural Hall of Fame Class.
The inductees are Unionville-Sebewaing Area’s Jordan Bitzer (Basketball), Harbor Beach’s Eli Kraft (Football-Basketball), Reese’s Reyna Frost (Girls Basketball), North Branch’s Jordan Fish (Volleyball), North Branch volleyball coach Jim Fish, TSA co-founder David Bossick and longtime supporter of Thumb athletics Roy “Bub” Armstrong.
“This marks a historic and deeply meaningful milestone for the Thumb Sportswriters Association,” said TSA co-founder and President Paul Adams. “It’s with great pride and admiration, we introduce the inaugural class of athletes, coaches and contributing members to Thumb athletics into the Thumb Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. These exceptional individuals have not only achieved remarkable success in their respective sports, but they have also exemplified the values of dedication, sportsmanship, and community spirit that define athletics in the Thumb.”
The TSA Hall of Fame banquet will be Saturday, Jan. 17 at Ubly Heights Golf & Country Club.
“This Hall of Fame was established to honor those whose contributions have left a lasting impact on local sports history,” Adams said. “Their stories deserve to be remembered and celebrated, not just for their wins and records, but for the pride and passion they brought to our communities. On behalf of the Thumb Sportswriters Association, I want to congratulate each of our inductees and their families. Their legacies are forever part of this Thumb’s rich sports heritage. This is just the beginning of a tradition that will honor excellence for years to come."
Girls Basketball: Reyna Frost, Reese
Reyna Frost emerged as a standout basketball player during her high school career at Reese High School, where she made a name for herself through hard work, relentless rebounding, and all-around leadership on the court.
Known for her tenacity and basketball IQ, Frost was a dominant forward who played a crucial role in leading her team to multiple successful seasons. She was a multi-time All-Thumb First Team selection, consistently recognized for her double-double averages and ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Her presence in the paint was unmatched; she regularly led the conference in rebounding and was known for her tireless motor and hustle plays.
Frost led the Rockets to four straight All-Thumb Team of the Year awards, a record that still stands. She was also the first four-time All-Thumb Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-Thumb Player of the Year (2013-14, 2014-15). In addition to her All-Thumb accolades, Frost was named to multiple All-State and All-Region teams, reflecting her broader impact beyond the Thumb area. She scored over 1,000 points in her high school career and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds—an elite milestone that underscored her dominance and consistency.
Reyna Frost’s high school legacy set the stage for her future success at the collegiate level, but it was during these early years that she laid the foundation for her basketball identity: a smart, gritty player who never backed down from a challenge. Her accomplishments remain a testament to her influence on Michigan high school basketball, particularly in the Thumb, where she remains one of the most respected and decorated athletes of her era.
Frost continued her basketball journey at Central Michigan University, where she elevated her game to new heights. As a forward for the CMU Chippewas from 2015 to 2019, she developed into one of the most complete players in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). She finished her college career as CMU’s all-time leading rebounder and ranked among the top scorers in program history. In her senior season, she averaged a double-double and was named the 2019 MAC Player of the Year. Frost also led CMU to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic Sweet 16 run in 2018.
Volleyball: Jordan Fish, North Branch
Jordan Fish is one of North Branch High School’s most decorated volleyball athletes. A dynamic 5-9 setter with offensive versatility, she was instrumental in leading the Broncos to a 2009-10 Michigan Class B State Championship and a runner-up finish in 2010-11.
As a sophomore in 2009, Fish made history by becoming the first junior ever named All-Thumb Player of the Year, earning unanimous selection, after an outstanding stat line of 1,242 assists, 300 kills, 266 digs, and 45 blocks across 78 matches, with a .918 serving percentage and 91 aces.
In 2010, she repeated as All-Thumb Player of the Year in her senior year and was again a unanimous pick. Fish was the first player to win consecutive All-Thumb Player of the Year awards. It’s a feat that has only been accomplished three times since. Also in 2010, she was recognized as Miss Volleyball Michigan, marking her top-tier status statewide. With Fish as their leader, the Broncos were named All-Thumb Team of the Year twice (2009, 2010). Fish also earned First Team All-State honors multiple times as a standout setter representing North Branch in Class B.
Throughout her high school career, Fish combined elite setting abilities with potent offensive skills—her assist numbers highlighted her command of the offense while her kills, blocks, digs and serving efficiency showcased all-around excellence. She stood out not only in the Thumb, but across the entire state, drawing attention from Division I collegiate programs.
Post–high school, Fish continued her volleyball journey at the collegiate level—playing setter at Virginia Tech—and later transitioned to a successful coaching career, mentoring younger players with her experience and leadership.
Boys Basketball: Jordan Bitzer, Unionville-Sebewaing Area (USA)
Jordan Bitzer emerged as a standout guard at Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School before earning a D-I scholarship to Central Michigan University. As a senior for the Patriots, in the 2005–06 season, Bitzer averaged 22.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 steals per game, becoming the first-ever All-Thumb Player of the Year, as awarded by the Thums Sportswriters Association.
USA’s undefeated regular season also earned the team the honor of becoming the first All-Thumb Team of the Year. He set a school single-game scoring record with 45 points in a dominant outing against Bay City All Saints. Bitzer’s hometown performances drew statewide recognition. He averaged 21.1 ppg in earlier campaigns, earning honorable-mention All-State Class C recognition and became one of only six Michigan players nominated for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Team.
As a junior, Bitzer helped lead USA to a regional championship and made a magical run to Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. The team advanced to the championship game and settled for state runner-up. No boys team in the Thumb has accomplished that feat since then.
Bitzer verbally committed to CMU in July 2005, showing early promise as a versatile shooting guard with scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive strengths. His college debut in November 2006 was spectacular: 17 points on 5-of-9 3-point shooting in just 18 minutes, plus four rebounds, an assist and a block.
By his senior year (2009–10), Bitzer was a team leader and one of CMU’s senior stalwarts. He averaged about 14.8 points per game, ranked second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in free-throw percentage (.882), finished with 1,125 career points, third in career 3-pointers (191), and second in career steals (168). His final home game in March 2010 was a storybook farewell: 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, as CMU beat rival Western Michigan 74-66 on “Senior Night”.
Bitzer’s legacy was defined by consistent production, two-way skill, leadership, and durability. Bitzer set the standard for what All-Thumb Players of the Year are measured by. He stands as one of CMU’s most prolific shooters and defenders of his era, bridging a superb high-school career into a solid and impactful college tenure.
Note: The Thumb Sportswriters Association began with the 2006 Boys Basketball season, after Jordan Bitzer’s football career had already concluded.
Coach: Jim Fish, Volleyball, North Branch
Jim Fish has been at the helm of the North Branch volleyball program since taking over in 2000, following a successful stint at Sandusky, Ohio, where he amassed a 188–112 record. Over more than two decades with the Broncos, Fish has built one of Michigan’s top girls volleyball programs. Under his leadership, the North Branch has captured five state championships, with consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, his teams have finished runner-up four other times under his direction, solidifying North Branch as a perennial state power.
Fish’s coaching excellence has been recognized regionally and nationally. He has been named the All-Thumb Coach of the Year a record four times (2006–07 inaugural award, 2008, 2020, 2023). The Broncos have been named All-Thumb Team of the Year a record 16 times, including seven straight seasons from 2012-18. Known for his player development, Fish has helped North Branch capture All-Thumb Player of the Year honors a record 14 times.
More recently, in July 2025 he was announced as a National High School Coach of the Year Finalist by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He has also earned MIVCA regional and state-level Coach of the Year honors, and was formally honored at the NHSACA convention.
Fish is well-regarded for his long-term development approach—most notably, he coached North Branch’s class of 2024 from club players in eighth grade through back-to-back state titles in high school. That 2023–24 squad ended their high school careers with a remarkable 56-4 season record, maintaining a season-long No. 1 ranking in Division 2 and sweeping strong competition.
His excellence extends beyond wins. Fish has established a player-first culture, fostering athletes who excel both on the court and in the classroom. Former players frequently return as assistant coaches, testament to the mentorship and character he instills. Jim Fish’s legacy at North Branch is defined not only by state titles and regional coach awards, but by consistent excellence, player development, and a program respected statewide.
Football & Boys Basketball: Eli Kraft, Harbor Beach
Eli Kraft emerged as a true cornerstone of the Harbor Beach Pirates’ resurgence in the early 2010s.
A multi-sport athlete who excelled in both football and basketball, Kraft’s athleticism and leadership became central to one of the school’s most memorable eras.
By his junior year in 2012, Kraft had taken the reins as the Pirates’ quarterback during a historic turnabout.
Harbor Beach had endured three consecutive losing seasons before Eli’s arrival. Under his direction, the team rolled through a dominant 13-1 season and earned a berth in the MHSAA 2012 Division 8 state finals.
In the championship game against two-time defending champion Beal City at Detroit’s Ford Field, Kraft delivered a standout performance. He completed 8-of-13 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns and added 70 tough rushing yards and another TD. His first touchdown—a 54-yard strike to Aaron Ginther—ignited the Pirates early and set the tone for a 35–10 victory. On defense, Eli also made his mark, intercepting a pass—the final nail in Beal City’s hopes.
That victory secured Harbor Beach’s first-ever football state title.
During his tenure as quarterback, Kraft led the Pirates to All-Thumb Team of the Year in 2011 and 2013.
In 2013, he became the first player in TSA history to be named All-Thumb Player of the Year and All-Thumb Defensive Player of the Year.
Kraft was a three-time All-Thumb first team player (2011-13) and was first team defensive back twice (2012-13).
Off the field, Kraft showcased his court skills as a guard on the basketball team. As a sophomore in 2012, he averaged 13.9 points per game and tallied 264 total points, drawing attention as a floor leader and consistent scorer.
By his junior and senior seasons, Kraft was a centerpiece of the varsity squad. He earned Fist Team All-Thumb honors in 2014, as a senior posting averages of 15.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 2.0 SPG — concluding his career with 1,130 points.
Kraft was a two-time All-Thumb first teamer in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and was honorable mention All-Thumb in 2010-11.
Eli Kraft’s high school journey was defined by two-tone excellence: an on-court dynamo whose scoring, passing, and leadership elevated Harbor Beach basketball; and a gridiron general who added versatility and heart to the football team. His legacy continues to inspire the next generation of Pirates in a community that cherishes its dual-sport athletes.
Media: David Bossick, Tuscola Advertiser
David Bossick is one of the founding fathers of the Thumb Sportswriters Association. Bossick’s time in the TSA was brief, but is ever-lasting. He is responsible for many of the practices the organization still uses and developed the borders the TSA still uses today. Bossick concluded a 20-plus year career in journalism as the Managing Editor of the Ludington Daily News.
A Central Michigan University alumnus, Bossick’s journalism career began at the Tuscola County Advertiser in Caro, where he worked as a staff writer and later became sports editor. While at the Advertiser, Bossick, along with Paul Adams, then sportswriter at the Huron Daily Tribune, brainstormed a way to highlight athletes from Tuscola, Huron and Sanilac Counties. After months of preparation, Bossick and Adams, later joined by Dale Ball, from the Sanilac County News launched the Thumb Sportswriters Association (TSA) in 2006 with boys basketball.
The TSA quickly expanded to include girls basketball, volleyball and football. Following his stint at the Advertiser, Bossick would move to take the sports editor role at the Chippewa Herald in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, before concluding his career at the Ludington Daily News. Known for his versatility, Bossick covered a wide range of beats—from high school athletics to civic affairs. His work reflected a genuine dedication to informing his community, a passion he says stems from an early interest in news, politics, and sports. Bossick was fueled by a deep belief that journalism carries a duty. His dedication and commitment to highlighting student-athletes became the foundation the TSA was built on.
Roy “Bubba” Armstrong, Marlette
Roy “Bubba” Armstrong was a deeply cherished fixture in not only Marlette, but the entire Thumb. He was best known for his tireless dedication to the town’s high school athletic programs.
Born around 1954, he spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of Marlette Community Schools sports teams. Bubba stood out not for athletic prowess, but for his boundless generosity, kindness, and community spirit. For 39 years, he donated countless hours behind the scenes and courtside: greeting referees at halftime with game balls and sending umpires out on hot baseball afternoons with cold drinks. He treated every official to a bag of popcorn after every basketball game.
He was particularly beloved by the Marlette girls basketball team: each season, before every away game, Bubba hand-wrote “Good luck tonight!” notes for the players—a small gesture that embodied his big heart. His devotion earned him praise from coaches, athletic directors, referees and media members alike. He became known for his gentle humor, generous spirit, and passionate encouragement of student-athletes of all ages.
Bubba’s presence in Marlette went beyond athletics. He was a confidant, mentor, and surrogate family member to many in the community. His positive energy and spunky spirit marked nearly every local event—he was known for greeting people with a warm smile or encouraging word.
On July 6, 2022, Roy “Bubba” Armstrong passed away at age 67. The town came together in celebration of his life, honoring his decades of selfless service, his generosity, and the way he embodied community pride and kindness.
Though his physical presence is gone, his legacy lives on in the school hallways, gymnasiums, and hearts of those he touched.