DeHaan, Michelle

Michelle DeHaan made local history as the first female to earn an NCAA Div. I basketball scholarship
after a prolific high school career where she won five OFSAA medals – including three gold – in five
years with the McGregor Panthers. Michelle, born and raised in Chatham, attended Chatham Christian (Grades 1-4), Victor Lauriston
(Grades 5-8) and John McGregor Secondary School (Grade 9 to OAC). 
Her introduction to basketball came during her Victor Lauriston years with coach Ross Dawe.
Michelle made the Panthers senior girls team in Grade 9, coached by Bud Day her first year and Frank Henry Grade 10-OAC. Her Panthers teams won four Kent County and three SWOSSAA championships along with OFSAA gold medals in her Grades 10, 12 and OAC seasons, silver in Grade 9 and bronze in Grade 11.
Michelle used her height advantage to dominate under the basket with her post moves, rebounding and shot blocking prowess but she was also an outstanding outside shooter, especially from
the free throw line, and possessed good speed.
The Panthers rolled up a 47-3 league record during Michelle's five years and she was bestowed a
number of league all-star and team MVP awards.
Michelle also played club basketball during her high school days, winning an Ontario Basketball
Association provincial championships with a local team and also played for a club team in Toronto that traveled to Kamloops, B.C. and overseas to Sweden and Denmark. 
Michelle was recruited by a number of major U.S. Div. I schools, including the University of Michigan, University of Arizona and Louisiana State University, but chose the University of Detroit Mercy. She was a starter with the Titans in her freshman season of 1993-94, where she led the team in rebounding and free throw percentage. Her season was highlighted by a 30-point game against the
University of Evansville, earned Midwestern Collegiate Conference player of the week honour and was named to the All ‘Newcomer’ conference team. In her second season she led the Titans in free throw percentage once again. Michelle chose Mercy to study nursing but after not being able to take courses at the Detroit university,
she transferred to the University of Windsor.
She sat out her transfer year and played one season for the Lancers in 1996-97.Michelle graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and later attend St. Clair College to finish her Nursing
Diploma. She is presently a nurse in Sarnia and is married with two young girls.