Stripes Worn Well (Muskegon Chronicle)

March 1, 2012

Tim Flahive has battled diabetes for all but a few years of his life. But he's also filled half of those years with high school sports as a longtime official based in the Muskegon area.

The Muskegon Chronicle's Mark Opfermann tells the story of Flahive's final basketball game last week -- and makes us appreciate even more the significant role our officials fill to no fanfare.

A powerful excerpt:

He left the court with no fanfare, took off his whistle and shed a few tears.

But Flahive's story isn’t just about sports and an official leaving the hobby he loves. It’s about courage, getting back up and pressing on.

So, I guess it’s a lot like sports after all. But it’s a whole lot more about life.

That’s because when Flahive took the court last week, he did it with half of his left foot missing.

Click to read on.

This Week in High School Sports: 2/12/26

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

February 12, 2026

This week's edition details past MHSAA athletes currently competing at the Winter Olympics, awards Game Balls to standouts in wrestling and basketball, and highlights MHSAA connections to last weekend's Super Bowl.

MI Student AidThe 5-minute program each week includes feature stories from MHSAA.com or network affiliates, along with "Be the Referee," a 60-second look at the fine art of officiating.

"This Week in High School Sports" is powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).

Listen to this week's show by Clicking Here.

Previous 2025-26 editions

Feb. 5: MHSAA personal branding activities rule, Bear Lake's Harless twins - Listen
Jan. 29:
Women in Sports Leadership Conference, WISL Award winner Anika McEvans - Listen
Jan. 22:
Multi-sport participation, MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards - Listen
Jan. 15:
Genesee's Averie Zinn & Mio's Mia McGregor, MHSAA Winter Finals schedule - Listen
Jan. 8:
2024-25 MHSAA Tournament attendance, tribute to Vic Michaels - Listen
Dec. 11:
MHSAA 2024-25 participation's national ranking, 2026 Wrestling Tournament - Listen
Dec. 4:
11-Player Football Finals review - Listen
Nov. 26:
Girls Volleyball, 8-Player Football, Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving Finals review - Listen
Nov. 20:
NFHS Network championship schedule, Sportsmanship Summits - Listen
Nov. 13:
Performance of the Week, Shelby football - Listen
Nov. 6:
Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals, Boys Soccer Finals review - Listen
Oct. 30:
Mendon football's Owen Gorham, MHSAA Girls Volleyball Tournament primer - Listen
Oct. 23:
Lower Peninsula Girls Golf Finals review, LP Boys Tennis Finals - Listen
Oct. 16:
MHSAA Football Playoff selection, Field Hockey Finals week primer - Listen
Oct. 9:
Upper Peninsula Girls Tennis Finals review, 2025 Sportsmanship Summits - Listen
Oct. 2:
2026 MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards, Boys Soccer Tournament - Listen
Sept. 25:
Saline's record-approaching performance, SAC sportsmanship statement - Listen
Sept. 18:
Athletic director training, "Block Party" volleyball report - Listen
Sept. 11:
Football coaching legend Al Fracassa, MHSAA Student Advisory Council - Listen
Sept. 4:
MHSAA participation rising, Harbor Springs soccer's Henry Juneau - Listen
Aug. 28:
Field hockey's first season, changes to Football Playoffs, Tennis Finals - Listen