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See the full story · 1 sourcesPETOSKEY — Michael Bakker has the ultimate campfire fun fact, one he had to even keep a secret throughout his college years at Michigan State University.
Bakker, the newly hired Petoskey District Athletic Director, served as a student volunteer within the Sparty costume at the school from 1998 to 2000 and that passion he brought to MSU game days still comes out at the high school level.
Since the mascot was introduced in 1989, Bakker is one of just 57 students who have been Sparty. But, fear not Michigan fans, Bakker’s colors now are fully Northmen blue and white.
And, like that once in a lifetime chance in college, Bakker is feeling lucky to be right where he's at in Petoskey.
“I feel like I fell into just an amazing opportunity,” Bakker said. “The welcome I’ve received so far has been great. I’m super excited to be here. The facilities here are phenomenal, the lifestyles here are phenomenal, this community is a huge supporter of education and educational athletics, which is huge.”
Bakker headed north after spending four years in the principal role at Fenton High School, though has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and spent 18 years prior as an athletic director at Fenton.
He’s spent time on the MHSAA Representative Council, is the assistant to the executive director of the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) and recent recipient of the MHSAA Charles E. Forsythe Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was also named the Athletic Director of the Year by the MHSAA in 2021.
Bakker has a huge passion for educational athletics, which is a big reason why he felt he had to get back to being an AD.
“I missed being an athletic director,” Bakker said. “Some people might think that’s crazy, with the hours, but I truly and honestly missed it. I stayed heavily involved even when I was a principal. I didn’t realize how much I missed it, until I started thinking about it.”
The Petoskey job, which serves both the high school and middle school, opened when Joel Dohm stepped down following the 2025-26 school year in June, with Bakker finding the position perfect for getting a foot back in athletics.
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Outside of the appeal of living in Petoskey, Bakker found the size and immense amount of opportunities for students attractive in the position.
A graduate of Rochester High School, Bakker remembers not even knowing everyone in his graduating class in a school of 1,800. He came from a Fenton program of between 900 and 1,200 and now inherits a PHS student body of 801.
“We’re large enough that there are enough activities to meet the needs of a lot of students,” he said. “But, we’re not too big that people just get lost or avoid doing things.”
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Bakker has wasted no time getting started over the summer, throwing himself into as much of Petoskey’s past as possible.
While Fenton and Petoskey haven’t had a history on any kind of playing field, Bakker is quickly learning about the kind of coaches and athletes at PHS.
“We have a lot of bright coaches, with a lot of experience and kids that have a lot of excitement for their sport and want to do well,” he said.
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Bakker made the move to Petoskey with his wife, Denise, while his three children are all in their college years, between just graduated MSU, to Oakland University and Arizona State.
All three kids participated in sports at Fenton High, from cross country and track, to swimming, soccer, basketball and volleyball, giving Bakker well-rounded background. He also competed in rugby at MSU and Denise played basketball at Lake Superior State.
The 2026-27 MHSAA calendar officially opens on Monday, Aug. 10 with fall practices starting up, but Bakker has already been hard at work, like many athletes and coaches at PHS.
Thinking about practices turning into game nights and empty seats being filled, Bakker’s passion for his work can’t help but be felt.
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He spent a handful of years showing that passion behind a giant mascot costume. Now, he gets to let it be known in a community he can see shares it.
“Not many high school gyms have a center court scoreboard hanging over it,” Bakker said. “You have a lot that don’t have a video board at their football stadium. It’s not just athletics here. Look at the band program. It’s second to none as far as what types of things they pull off. And lots of those kids are involved in other things too.
“There’s something here for every kid. That’s a great thing.”
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at [email protected] and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: New Petoskey AD Bakker brings passion for athletics and ultimate trivia piece
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