View the Scenes of Celebration After ELHS Basketball's State Title and Read Mayor George Brookover’s Letter to the Team
"Your effort, hard work, spirit and teamwork are an example to our entire City. When we do things together, good things can often happen," Brookover wrote in a letter to the ELHS boys basketball team.
The following is a letter written by East Lansing Mayor George Brookover that was sent to ELHS boys basketball coach Ray Mitchell and school officials. The letter was sent Tuesday, March 18, days after the Trojans captured the school’s first boys basketball state title since 1958.
The letter, which Brookover shared with ELi, reads as follows:
Dear Coach Mitchell and Team Members:
On behalf of the entire City of East Lansing, I want to congratulate you on the Division 1 High School Boys Basketball State Championship which you captured on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Your effort, hard work, spirit and teamwork are an example to our entire City. When we do things together, good things can often happen.
As you all have made clear in your public comments, you were reminded of your goal by the presence of the 1958 Class B Boys Basketball State Championship banner which hangs in the East Lansing High School gym.
As a graduate of your high school, I can attest to the significance of that banner.
As you proceed in your education and possible future athletic pursuits, please take continuing pride that your State Championship banner will now also hang in that gym.
Its presence will remind generations of East Lansing High School students of your achievements. More importantly, it will remind those who come after you that working towards high goals is never a mistake.
Very truly yours,
George M. Brookover
Mayor
Photos of the community celebration of the state championship, held at the ELHS gym on Wednesday, March 19. (Photos by Brian Wells)