Coming up on 2H (11/24-11/25)
November 23, 2012
The fall season finishes up this weekend at Ford Field with eight MHSAA 11-player Football Finals, even-numbered divisions playing Friday and odds Saturday. And there are a variety of ways to follow the action.
- Check in to Second Half within hours after each game for coverage by Geoff Kimmerly and Bill Khan, plus links to photos and an embed of the full press conference.
- Go to MHSAA.tv to watch those press conferences streamed live.
- Visit our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @MHSAA.
- New this year: See some of what happens behind the scenes on our Instagram page.
What's My Why: Official Mike VanLaan
May 20, 2026
Mike VanLaan, Alto
VanLaan is completing his eighth year as an MHSAA-registered official. He began with football in 2018-19 and added boys lacrosse the following year.
So in 2018 I decided to get started in officiating. I started with football because that was the sport that gave me the most opportunity when I was younger. I played a lot of football and just wanted to give back to the game.
I loved it so much that I decided I also wanted to add a spring sport. So a couple of years later I added boys lacrosse, and now I officiate high school football and high school boys lacrosse.
Things that drove me to add another sport – just fell in love with the camaraderie, working with other officials, good people. And then also, just realizing how important it is to stay active physically and mentally, and this allows me to do that.
“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].
Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.
What's My Why
May 20: Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch