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: 9/2/20

September 2, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Tuesday saw high-powered clashes on a tennis court north of Mackinac Bridge and a golf course in the region to the south as northern teams dominated today’s headliners.

1. Girls Tennis: Reigning champion Ishpeming Westwood swept West Iron County in a matchup of the top two teams from the last three Upper Peninsula Division 2 Finals – Marquette Mining Journal

2. Girls Golf: Traverse City West was first, Traverse City Central second and Big Rapids third at the Titan Invitational; West is ranked No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, and Big Rapids is No. 3 in LPD3 – Big Rapids News

3. Boys Soccer: Everest Noyes scored all of his team’s goals in Traverse City Central’s 5-0 win over Leland – Traverse City Record-Eagle

4. Cross Country: Petoskey’s girls and Traverse City West’s boys claimed wins in five-team 2-mile races – Petoskey News-Review

5. Volleyball: Carney-Nadeau moved to 3-0 with a sweep of Bark River-Harris – Escanaba Daily Press

6. Volleyball: Ludington opened its season with a sweep at Lake City – Ludington Daily News

7. Volleyball: Manton improved to 3-0 with a sweep of Frankfort and Brethren – Cadillac News

8. Volleyball: Chassell got past Hancock 3-1 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

9. Girls Tennis: Reigning UPD1 champion Marquette earned a 7-1 victory against Iron Mountain Iron Mountain Daily News

10. Boys Tennis: Pinckney earned a league win 7-1 over Adrian – Adrian Daily Telegram

Also of note …

Football: Frankenmuth is mourning the death of retired coach Budd Tompkins, who led the Eagles to a 34-1 record and two “mythical” state championships during his first four of eight total seasons after taking over the program in 1966 – Saginaw News