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: 3/3/16

March 3, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

It’s impossible for a sports fan to not love this time of year. Why? See some of our most exciting headlines from Wednesday’s action.

Girls Basketball

Saugatuck’s Maddie Stewart scored off her own intentional free-throw miss with 1.9 seconds left in the first overtime, and her team came through again in the second to edge Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 43-42 in Class C – Holland Sentinel

Fruitport Calvary Christian junior Allyson Richards crossed 1,500 career points in her team’s Class D win over Walker Academy of Environmental Sciences – Grand Haven Tribune

Flint Powers Catholic won an annual Class B battle of area powers, downing Goodrich 62-49 – Flint Journal

Saginaw Swan Valley won its first District game in a decade, upsetting Birch Run 54-47 – Saginaw News

Freshman Maizie Taylor scored the game-winner with fewer than 10 seconds to play to lead Midland Dow past rival Midland 49-48 in Class A – Saginaw News

Class A favorite Southfield-Lathrup put up one of its most impressive wins this season, 60-40 over Detroit Renaissance – Oakland Press

Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart is arguably the favorite in Class D and proved why again with a 54-34 victory over 19-win Big Rapids Crossroads Academy – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

In another upset that shook Class A, Lansing Waverly downed DeWitt 48-43 – Lansing State Journal

Another upset in Class A was only slight, as Ann Arbor Huron handed Dexter only its second loss, 40-27 – Ann Arbor News

Ice Hockey

Chelsea needed an overtime goal after giving up a pair of scores in the third period to get past Jackson Lumen Christi and advance in a Division 3 Regional – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Gibraltar Carlson scored with 17.7 seconds left to get past Temperance Bedford 3-2; Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central got six goals from Jake Willets, who went over 50 for the season in a win over New Boston Huron – Monroe Evening News