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.
D8 Final rematch set (Kalamazoo Gazette)
April 12, 2012
Big news on the football opening night front: Reigning Division 8 champion Mendon will face Fowler in a rematch of last season's Final at Ford Field.
Filling the schedule can be a tough task when a school has won 10 MHSAA championships, as the Hornets have accomplished. The Eagles frequently have been feared as well and own four MHSAA titles. The Kalamazoo Gazette's Scott Decamp gives us a rundown of how this rematch came together.
Mendon beat Fowler 33-0 in that championship game, but both teams are expected to return some of their biggest stars this fall.