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.

Today in the MHSAA: 9/11/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 11, 2026

1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 1 No. 8 Grand Haven earned coach Aaron Smaka his 700th win with a sweep of East Kentwood – Grand Haven Tribune

2. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 3 Elk Rapids earned coach Nate Plum his 300th victory with a big one over Grayling – Traverse City Record-Eagle

3. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Buckley handed Suttons Bay its first loss, in four sets – Traverse City Record-Eagle

4. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 6 Lansing Eastern scored the game’s lone goal during the second half of a win over Haslett – WLNS

5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 7 Plymouth Christian Academy came back from two sets down to defeat Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in five – Southgate News-Herald

6. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 8 Alma edged Freeland 1-0 – WNEM

7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Ishpeming downed rival Negaunee in five sets – Upper Michigan’s Source

8. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 5 Leland downed Traverse City St. Francis 6-0 – MI Sports Now

9. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Midland came back after losing the first set to down Bay City Central in four – Midland Daily News

10. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Trenton continued an early-season rebound with a sweep of Allen Park – Southgate News-Herald