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: 12/9/15

December 9, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Falling school records and a perfect bowling game highlight today's headlines covering a variety of sports across the state.

Girls Basketball

Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart senior center Averi Gamble scored a school-record 40 points, breaking the previous mark of 34 set in 1980, in the Irish’s 67-23 win over Beal City – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

Despite 25 points by South Lyon East’s Peyton Jones, Saline hung on for a 47-42 win after leading by only one point with 20 seconds to play – Ann Arbor News

Boys Basketball

Spencer Littleson scored 42 points in arguably the night’s most exciting opener, sinking 18 of 20 free-throw attempts as Rochester Adams outlasted Auburn Hills Avondale 77-69 in overtime – Oakland Press

East Jordan’s Jordan Weber broke his school’s career scoring record of 1,170 points, set in 1986, by upping his total to 1,193 with 24 in a 66-20 win over Mancelona – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Midland trailed Bay City Western by 19 with 11 minutes to play, but knocked down five 3-pointers to climb back for a 53-43 win – Midland Daily News

Battle Creek Central won its first game under new coach Durant Crum in dramatic fashion, on a putback with five seconds to play to beat Jackson 59-58 – Battle Creek Enquirer

Boys Bowling

Wayland senior Cameron Heintzelman rolled his first 300 in a match Monday against Zeeland East, topping his previous high of 289 – Grand Rapids Press

Girls Swimming & Diving

Girls and boys swimming and diving seasons are both in the winter in the Upper Peninsula, and Kingsford’s Peyton Johnson broker her own school record in the 200 individual medley to highlight performances in the Flivvers’ meet with Marquette – Iron Mountain Daily News