Bloomfield Hills head football coach Scott Merchant is back at practice after undergoing life-saving open-heart surgery this spring, and he's using his recovery to push for mandatory heart screenings across Michigan high school athletics.

A routine physical uncovered a dangerous heart defect that required immediate surgical intervention, according to a Detroit Free Press report published Monday, Aug. 17. Merchant was photographed on the sideline at practice at Bloomfield Hills High School on Monday, Aug. 10, just months after the procedure.

Pushing for change

Merchant told the Free Press he wants the MHSAA to require every athlete to get a heart screening. He isn't stopping there. He believes coaches should get annual physicals too.

His message carries weight in a community that watched him go from a hospital bed to running a two-day youth football camp July 27–28 at the BHHS stadium for incoming sixth- through eighth-graders.

Energized program

Players have said Merchant's rapid recovery and visible commitment to the program have energized the Black Hawks heading into a season the team hopes will produce its first playoff victory. Bloomfield Hills competes in the OAA Blue division, where last fall's roster featured names like Felly Kmit, Jad Almsaddi, Zach Kraft and Kaden Cherkasky.

The optimism is tangible. Merchant survived surgery and came back fast enough to run summer camp and install a game plan for the opener.

The Black Hawks open the season Thursday, Aug. 27, with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Bloomfield Hills High School Stadium, hosting Harrison Township.