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: 8/27/15

August 27, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Much usually changes from the start of a season to its end.

But August provides a great opportunity for the state’s best to see how they stack up against each other before locally-focused league competition gets underway.

Today's list of links includes some of those results.

Cross Country

Nate Carey won last season’s MHSAA Upper Peninsula Division 1 Final in 17:19.1, with Escanaba’s Joey Wolfe third at 17:28. But Wolfe edged Carey at Tuesday’s Munising Invitational – Escanaba Daily Press

Boys Soccer

Bay City Western only tied Flushing 2-2 on Wednesday, but did so coming back from two goals down to remain undefeated – and with senior Tyler Fulco netting his 14th goal already this season – Bay City Times

East Grand Rapids fell in its District opener in Division 2 last season, but played reigning Division 3 champion Hudsonville Unity Christian to a 3-3 draw Wednesday – Grand Rapids Press

Boys Tennis

Midland’s teams enjoyed a perfect Wednesday, with Midland High defeating Holt, Grand Blanc and Traverse City West and Dow taking down Okemos and Holly to move to 5-0 this fall – Midland Daily News

Good Read

Longtime official Jerry Hendrickson, 78, will begin his 53rd and final season tonight, surrounded by three sons on his crew at Houseman Stadium – Grand Rapids Press

The Lansing Eastern football varsity is 27-126 since its last winning season in 1997, and with a new coach starts again in an attempt to bring success back to a proud program – Lansing State Journal