Southfield, Mich. — State Champs! Sports Network has earned four 2026 Michigan Emmy nominations recognizing the network’s continued excellence in feature production, human-interest storytelling, and original sports programming.
The four Emmy-nominated productions were all in the Children/Youth/Teen category:
- Victory Day: When Everyone Scores
- Madi Smith
- KISS in Cadillac: When Rock & Football Collided
- Fright Lights: A State Champs Halloween Special
Together, the projects reflect State Champs!’s ongoing commitment to telling authentic and exceptional stories that connect sports, students, schools, and communities across Michigan.
“These nominations are incredibly meaningful because they represent the heart of what we do,” said Lou Bitonti, State Champs!’s founder and president. “We’ve always believed the best stories in sports go far beyond wins and losses. They’re about perseverance, community, inclusion, and moments people remember for the rest of their lives.”
Bitonti credited State Champs!’s creative team for helping elevate programming through visual, compelling, and emotional storytelling and production.
“I’m extremely proud of our producers, photographers, editors, and storytellers,” Bitonti said. “Projects like these are only possible because of the passion and dedication our team brings every day.”
The Michigan Emmy Awards honor excellence in television production and storytelling across broadcast and digital media and are presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and recognize excellence in television and media production.
Winners will be announced during the 2026 Michigan Emmy Awards ceremony later this year.
Here are more details about each nominated video:
Victory Day: When Everyone Scores
State Champs! Creative Team: Jonathon Kidd and Lorne Plant
Nominated for a 2026 Michigan Emmy, Victory Day: When Everyone Scores captures the emotional story of a football tradition centered around inclusion and opportunity. The feature highlights a special game day experience that gives students with disabilities the chance to participate as athletes in front of their peers, families, and communities. Through heartfelt interviews and game footage, the story showcases the life-changing impact sports can have on students and families.
Madi Smith
State Champs! Creative Team: Jonathon Kidd and Patti Cesarini
Nominated for a 2026 Michigan Emmy, Madi Smith tells the deeply personal story of a standout student-athlete whose perseverance and determination helped her overcome significant adversity while continuing to pursue her athletic and personal goals. The feature explores resilience, family support, and the mental toughness required to move forward through challenges while inspiring others along the way.
KISS in Cadillac: When Rock & Football Collided
SCSN Creative Team: Lorne Plant and Camren Clouthier
Nominated for a 2026 Michigan Emmy, KISS in Cadillac: When Rock & Football Collided revisits the legendary relationship between the iconic rock band and the Cadillac High School football program nearly five decades after KISS first visited the northern Michigan community for a memorable 1975 homecoming celebration. Featuring archival footage, interviews, and community reflections, the feature explores how an unlikely connection between a rock band and a high school football team became part of Michigan sports and music history.
Fright Lights: A State Champs Halloween Special
State Champs! Creative Team: Lorne Plant, Jonathon Kidd, Camren Clouthier, and Patti Cesarini
Nominated for a 2026 Michigan Emmy, Fright Lights: A State Champs Halloween Special captures the creativity, spirit, and excitement surrounding one of the most memorable times of the school year. Featuring cinematic visuals, school traditions, costumes, and community celebrations, the special captures the spirit, creativity, and traditions that make high school sports communities unforgettable.
About State Champs! Sports Network
Founded in 2002, State Champs! Sports Network is one of the nation’s premier producers of high school sports content, delivering award-winning television programming, original feature storytelling, and digital media coverage focused on student-athletes, schools, and communities. Through television, streaming, and social media platforms, State Champs! has earned multiple Emmy Awards for excellence in youth sports and feature programming and achieves millions of impressions with comprehensive coverage and compelling stories that celebrate the impact of high school sports both on and off the field.
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