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: 2/19/16

February 19, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A couple of streaks are worth noting in today’s report – one for winning an incredible number of consecutive league games, and the other for success reaching more than a decade.

Girls Basketball

In a matchup of two of the best in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette held on to down Houghton 42-37 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Muskegon Oakridge won its 50th straight game in the West Michigan Conference for finish undefeated champion of the league for the third season in a row – Muskegon Chronicle

Newberry won a matchup of 16-1 teams, defeating St. Ignace 54-50 to win the Straits Area Conference in what also was its first win over the Saints since 1992 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

Boys Basketball

Wyoming Potter’s House Christian celebrated a 30-point win over Kalamazoo Heritage Christian, but Heritage Christian’s Bryant Cross did score the 1,000th point of his career – Grand Rapids Press

Utica Ford earned arguably the night’s biggest upset statewide, handing a second loss this season to New Haven, 73-71 – Macomb Daily

Saginaw remains in first place in the Saginaw Valley League North, but Midland continued to enjoy its best league run in decades with a 58-51 win over the Trojans – Midland Daily News

Wrestling

From Thursday, Hartland won its 15th straight Regional title, dominating in Division 1 against Walled Lake Central and Warren Mott – Livingston Daily