517.332.5046 or [email protected]

EAST LANSING, Mich. – March 7 – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is proud to partner with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) to name chocolate milk the “official beverage” of the MHSAA. The sponsorship will give UDIM traditional advertising exposure at all MHSAA championship games for football and basketball. 

Chocolate milk is a natural, nutrient-packed food that is an excellent source of nine essential nutrients – calcium, potassium, protein, phosphorus, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin – nutrients that athletes need for good health. 

“We are very excited about our partnership with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan and look forward to promoting chocolate milk's unique blend of protein, nine essential vitamins and minerals that are critical to superior athletic performance," said Andy Frushour, the MHSAA's director of brand management. "This partnership will help to ensure that athletes in the Michigan schools will be playing at their best, and also living a healthier lifestyle." 

“Dairy farmers in Michigan work very hard to provide safe, wholesome products 365 days a year, and now that chocolate milk is the official beverage of the MHSAA, it’s a win-win in our playbook,” stated Sharon Toth, CEO, United Dairy Industry of Michigan. “What makes this partnership even stronger is that the MHSAA and UDIM goals align, so together, we have the opportunity to do great things for communities across Michigan.”

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.

The United Dairy Industry of Michigan is the umbrella organization for the Dairy Council of Michigan and the American Dairy Association of Michigan. On behalf of funding members, these non-profit organizations provide science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. For more information, visit www.udim.org.