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.

Cranbrook remembers Jack Sanders (Birmingham Eccentric)

April 30, 2012

The Oakland County baseball community lost a long-time supporter April 19 with the death of former Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood coach Jack Sanders, for whom the school's field was named more than a quarter-century ago, in 1975

Birmingham Eccentric sports editor Marty Budner tells of the daily presence of Sanders, who was known for maintaining the field that bears his name and also as an assistant coach beginning in 1949. Before this spring, Sanders hadn't missed an end-of-season banquet or postseason game for the team since joining the program that year.

Click below to read more:

Cranbrook baseball was passion for Jack Sanders (Birmingham Eccentric)