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: 1/18/17

January 18, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A strong argument can be made that Tuesday night was the basketball season’s most eventful so far, with an abundance of pivotal matchups in both girls and boys and a buzzer beater thrown in.  

Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state. 

Girls Basketball

Saginaw Heritage took the first of two regular-season meetings against Midland Dow, 50-47, in a matchup of two of the top teams statewide in Class A as well – Saginaw News

Hartland, 9-1 this season, handed Howell its first loss in stunning fashion, 48-28 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Undefeated Houghton avenged last season’s sweep by rival Calumet with a 56-40 win – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Farmington Hills Mercy finished a regular-season sweep of Detroit Catholic League Central rival Bloomfield Hills Marian, 33-30, in another matchup of top Class A teams – Oakland Press

Boys Basketball

Detroit East English made its claim as Detroit’s best and one of the Class A elite with a 71-57 win over Detroit Martin Luther King – MLive-Detroit

T.J. VanKoevering’s 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Hudsonville Unity Christian a 48-45 win over Holland Christian, and his coach Scott Soodsma his 500th victory on the bench – Grand Rapids Press

West Bloomfield came back from a halftime deficit to down Bloomfield Hills 62-43 in an Oakland Activities Association Red opener – Oakland Press

Hillsdale emerged a big winner in a matchup of unbeaten Lenawee County Athletic Association teams, handing Dundee its first defeat, 74-54 – Hillsdale Daily News

Undefeated Buckley handed Frankfort its first Northwest Conference loss in 28 games, and first loss overall this season, 50-38 – Traverse City Record-Eagle