Grandville Cheer Competition Honors Former Coach, Supports Breast Cancer Services

The annual Sharon Brown Bulldog Invitational raises funds for breast cancer care while remembering a beloved coach who died from the disease.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Thirty-four cheer teams will compete on Saturday at the Sharon Brown Bulldog Invitational at Grandville High School, an event that honors a former coach who died of breast cancer and raises money for breast cancer services. The competition was renamed five years ago to remember Sharon Brown, who coached cheer at Grandville Middle School. Current Grandville head coach Julie Smith-Boyd had Brown as her own coach and later coached Brown's daughter and granddaughter. The event has become increasingly personal for the program, with one team member's mother battling breast cancer during a recent season. Funds raised go to Betty Ford Breast Care Services, and a mobile mammography truck will offer screenings on-site.

Why it matters

The Grandville cheer competition highlights the community's commitment to supporting those affected by breast cancer and honoring the memory of a beloved coach who succumbed to the disease. By raising funds for breast cancer services and offering free screenings, the event helps promote early detection and access to care in the local area.

The details

The Sharon Brown Bulldog Invitational features 34 cheer teams competing on Saturday at Grandville High School. The competition was renamed five years ago to honor Sharon Brown, a former Grandville Middle School cheer coach who died from breast cancer in 1995. Current Grandville head coach Julie Smith-Boyd had Brown as her own coach and later coached Brown's daughter and granddaughter. The event has become increasingly personal for the program, with one team member's mother battling breast cancer during a recent season. Funds raised from the competition go to Betty Ford Breast Care Services at Corewell Health, and a mobile mammography truck will offer free screenings on-site.

  • The Sharon Brown Bulldog Invitational takes place on Saturday, February 11, 2026.
  • The competition was renamed five years ago to honor Sharon Brown, who died from breast cancer in 1995.

The players

Sharon Brown

A former cheer coach at Grandville Middle School who died from breast cancer in 1995.

Julie Smith-Boyd

The current head cheer coach at Grandville High School, who had Sharon Brown as her own coach and later coached Brown's daughter and granddaughter.

Avery Johnson

A Grandville High School senior whose mother Patricia died from breast cancer when Johnson was in eighth grade.

Betty Ford Breast Care Services

The organization that receives funds raised by the Sharon Brown Bulldog Invitational to support breast cancer services.

Corewell Health

The health system that operates the Betty Ford Breast Care Services, which will receive the funds raised by the cheer competition.

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What they’re saying

“We've just had so many girls lose their moms or have breast cancer in the last few years. It's just a way to help give back and bring awareness to it.”

— Julie Smith-Boyd, Grandville High School Head Cheer Coach (woodtv.com)

“She was just a fighter and she just knew that she could do it, that you can do anything that you put your mind to. I think she'd be proud of me.”

— Avery Johnson, Grandville High School Senior (woodtv.com)

“Try to keep your head up. Although it's hard and it's tough, you can get through it. Life keeps going. And you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

— Avery Johnson, Grandville High School Senior (woodtv.com)

What’s next

The Sharon Brown Bulldog Invitational cheer competition will take place on Saturday, February 11, 2026 at Grandville High School.

The takeaway

The Grandville cheer community has come together to honor the memory of a beloved coach and support those affected by breast cancer, demonstrating the power of sports to bring people together and make a positive impact on the local community.