Linked Up: Generations of Calls

July 9, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Father Ralph Burr recently finished his 50th season as an MHSAA official at 76 years old. His daughter Jackie has worked with him for 20 seasons, and son Jeff has served alongside Dad various times over the last 36 years.

Add in another son and grandson, and the family has officiated a combined 142 years in the Muskegon area. 

Grand Rapids' WZZM tells the story of the Burrs, focusing especially on Ralph and his other contributions including the care-taking of Muskegon's Sheldon Field.

Click for the WZZM story on the Burrs and watch below if your browser allows for Flash playback. Also, see the report done earlier this season by the Muskegon Chronicle.

PHOTO: Members of the Burr family pose during the MHSAA Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet in May including current MHSAA officials Jackie Burr, (to her left) Ralph Burr and (on far right) Jeff Burr.

Today in the MHSAA: 5/29/19

May 29, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

District competition began in baseball and softball Tuesday and continued in girls soccer, while Regional titles were awarded in lacrosse as the MHSAA postseason rolled on.

1. Girls Soccer: No. 15 Utica Eisenhower moved on in a big way in Division 1 with a 3-0 District Semifinal win over No. 3 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek – Macomb Daily

2. Baseball: Adrian scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to upset No. 5 Chelsea 7-6 in a Division 2 District opener – Adrian Daily Telegram

3. Boys Lacrosse: East Grand Rapids scored the game’s final 11 goals in an 11-1 Division 2 Regional Final win over Spring Lake; the teams were ranked Nos. 2 and 4, respectively, entering the postseason – FOX 17

4. Boys Lacrosse: No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central finished its Division 1 Regional run with a 23-10 win over No. 7 South Lyon – State Champs Sports Network

5. Baseball: No. 6 Sterling Heights Stevenson opened Division 1 District play with a 7-0 win over Clinton Township Chippewa Valley on a no-hitter by Nick Rutkowski – Detroit News

6. Softball: Jenison opened the Division 1 District with a 10-1 win over Byron Center in a matchup of honorable mention teams – FOX 17

7. Boys Lacrosse: Hartland got past Midland 17-11 to clinch a Division 1 Regional title – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

8. Softball: Bark River-Harris clinched its second straight Skyline Central Conference title with a 5-3 win over Norway – Escanaba Daily Press

9. Softball: Hillman downed Posen 7-6 in a Division 4 opener with a walk-off single – WBKB

10. Girls Soccer: Ann Arbor Huron avenged a loss (and a tie) to Saline from the regular season with a 2-0 Division 1 District Semifinal win – We Love Ann Arbor

Also of note …

College decisions: The Petoskey News-Review and Gaylord Herald-Times put together a three-part series on high school athletes deciding to continue athletics after their time at the prep level is complete, and the challenges and rewards of competing at the collegiate level – Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Girls Basketball: Assistant Tim Webb will take over the Detroit Country Day program from retired Frank Orlando – State Champs Sports Network