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: 4/28/21

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 28, 2021

1. Girls Lacrosse: Emma Murphy had 17 goals and Grace Wilson had 16 assists in Midland’s 30-3 win over Grand Blanc; both are MHSAA single-game records – WJRT

2. Girls Tennis: No. 2 Bloomfield Hills edged No. 3 Birmingham Seaholm 5-3 in a matchup of top teams statewide in Lower Peninsula Division 1 and in the Oakland Activities Association Red – Oakland Press

3. Baseball: No. 10 Bay City John Glenn swept No. 2 Essexville Garber in a matchup of top statewide Division 2 teams – WJRT

4. Baseball: Niles got coach Mike Vota to 400 career wins with a sweep of Division 3 No. 20 Niles Brandywine – Niles Daily Star

5. Softball: Muskegon Oakridge ran its West Michigan Conference streak to 63 straight wins with a sweep of Montague, including an extra-inning victory in the opener – Local Sports Journal

6. Track & Field: The Escanaba girls and Gladstone boys won Delta County Invitational championships – Escanaba Daily Press

7. Track & Field: The Novi boys edged Salem with a win in the final event; Salem’s girls won sweeping the field event first places – MLive-Detroit

8. Softball: Kingsley won 8-7 and 6-5 over Kalkaska both with walk-off singles – Traverse City Record-Eagle

9. Softball: Millington improved to 13-0 with a sweep of Hemlock – Saginaw News

10. Track & field: Remus Chippewa Hills’ girls are off to another big start after impressive wins over Newaygo and Howard City Tri County – Big Rapids News

Also of note …

Boys Basketball: Fremont coach Peter Zerfas has retired with a 318-151 record, nine District and eight league titles over 21 seasons – MI Sports Now

Volleyball: Betsy DeVries will take over three-time Division 2 reigning champion Grand Rapids Christian for retired coach Tiffannie Gates – Grand Rapids Press