Chris Berkimer

Chris Berkimer, a 1990 DeWitt graduate, earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball.  His leadership guided the Panthers to five League Championships, five District Championships, two Regional Championships, and a State Runner-up.  As a senior starting quarterback, he led DeWitt to the state championship game at the Pontiac Silverdome versus Farmington Hills Harrison in what many have called the “greatest game in MHSAA playoff history.”  Despite the 28-27 loss, his Panther team established a winning tradition for DeWitt football.  As a three-year starter in basketball, he earned Academic All-League, All-League, All-Area, and Honorable Mention All-State honors.  As a senior, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, helping DeWitt win its first Class B District Championship.  As a three-year starter in baseball, his teams won three Ingham County League Championships and two District Championships.  Berkimer garnered All-League and All-Area honors as a senior and was selected DeWitt’s Male Athlete of the Year.  He continued his academic and athletic prowess at Kalamazoo College as a three-year starter at quarterback and two-time captain.  In his senior season, Berkimer led Kalamazoo to its most successful season since 1962 with a 7-2 record and a second place finish in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.   His 1993 team set school records for passing offense (1,900 yards) and total offense (3,272 yards), earning him First Team All-MIAA honors as the league’s top passer.  Berkimer graduated with five school records in career passing (4,516 yards), career total offense (4,178 yards), single season passing (1,825 yards), single season total offense (1,750 yards), and most yards in a single game (305). His teammates honored him as the Most Valuable Player, and the coaching staff named him the Best Senior Athlete.