Mike Cowdrey

Mike Cowdrey, a 1990 DeWitt graduate, earned six varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball.  As a two-year starter, his explosive speed and athleticism made him the most successful running back in school history.  He earned All-League, All-Area, and All-State honors in both his junior and senior seasons.  In 1988, DeWitt finished 11-1 behind Cowdrey’s 1,351 yards rushing, winning the Ingham County League title and a Regional Championship.  In his senior season, he led the Panthers to a 12-1 record, winning consecutive League and Regional Championships.  In the state semi-finals, Cowdrey scored a record five touchdowns en route to a 38-26 victory, securing the school’s first berth in the state finals.  Despite a 28-27 loss to Farmington Hills Harrison in the championship game, Cowdrey helped establish a winning tradition for DeWitt football.  He was named league and team Most Valuable Player that year, setting rushing records for yards in a game (275), games rushing over 100 yards (10), rushing yards in a season (1,978), total yards in a game (300), total yards in a season (2,189), points in a season (180), and touchdowns in a season (27).  Cowdrey finished his football career with 3,329 yards rushing and 3,739 total yards.  At the time of his induction he held 11 school records.  He lettered in basketball as a junior, helping DeWitt win the 1989 Class B District Championship.  In baseball, he was a three-time All-League player and earned All-Area and All-State in both his junior and senior seasons.  His teams won three League Championships and two District Championships.  He earned a baseball scholarship to Central Michigan University, where he was a three-time letter-winner and a member of the MAC Championship team in 1993 and MAC Tournament Championship teams in 1994 and 1995.