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: 8/31/17

August 31, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

Today's Top 10

1. Volleyball: Class A No. 4 Lake Orion continues to shine this fall, going 6-0 to win the Rochester Hills Stoney Creek Invitational and downing Adams in the final – Oakland Press

2. Boys Cross Country: Rudyard emerged with a Northwoods Invitational title by a point over runner-up Brimley, but Brimley’s reigning Upper Peninsula Division 3 champion Austin Plotkin took the individual title – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

3. Girls Golf: Walled Lake Central and Birmingham Groves took the top two places at the Oakland County Division 2 championship, advancing them to the overall county final – Oakland Press

4. Boys Soccer: Undefeated Ann Arbor Skyline edged rival Pioneer 1-0 on a second-half goal – Detroit News

5. Cross Country: The Corunna boys and Byron girls teams were among winners at the annual Corunna Early Bird Invitational, which drew more than 700 runners – Owosso Argus & Press Athletic.net

6. Girls Golf: Harbor Springs continues to impress as well, lowering its score to a season-best 353 in winning a match at Traverse City St. Francis – Petoskey News-Review

7. Boys Soccer: East Kentwood dealt Grand Haven its first loss of this season, 3-2 – Grand Haven Tribune

8. Volleyball: Class B No. 6 Fruitport earned a pair of key league victories against Muskegon Mona Shores and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer – Grand Haven Tribune

9. Football: After both losing beloved assistant coaches in May, Battle Creek Central and Battle Creek St. Philip are making sure to keep their memories alive – Battle Creek Enquirer

10. Football: As writer Lenny Padilla states, East Kentwood 6-foot-6, 245-pound football player Bryce Mostella “might be the most imposing xylophone player in the United State” – Grand Rapids Press