Today in the MHSAA: 10/17/17
October 17, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today's Top 10
1. Boys Soccer: Division 1 No. 18 Novi scored the game’s lone goal to upset No. 9 Northville in a District opener – Observer & Eccentric
2. Boys Soccer: Manistee scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in overtime to upset No. 15 Whitehall 2-1 in a Division 3 first-round game – Manistee News-Advocate
3. Boys Soccer: Pontiac won its first District game in program history, downing Armada 3-2 in Division 2 – Oakland Press
4. Boys Soccer: DeWitt took East Lansing to overtime before the Trojans emerged with a 2-1 win in a Division 2 opener – Lansing State Journal
5. Boys Soccer: No. 12 Plymouth also survived a close Division 1 opener, clipping Salem 1-0 – Observer & Eccentric
6. Volleyball: Unranked Lapeer was the big winner of its tri-match, downing Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary and also Class B No. 9 Freeland in five sets – Saginaw News
7. Boys Soccer: Howell broke a tie with Pinckney late to emerge with a 2-1 win in Division 1 after playing the Pirates in overtime two of the last three seasons – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Football: Coming off Farmington Hills Harrison coach John Herrington tying the MHSAA record for football wins (and since breaking it) held by Birmingham Brother Rice’s Al Fracassa, the Observer & Eccentric interviewed the legends together – Observer & Eccentric
9. Multi-Sport Athletes: Grand Haven athletic director Scott Robertson wrote a guest column for his local paper explaining the benefits of the multi-sport experience, citing a recent star at his school known well by fans statewide – Grand Haven Tribune
10. Mascots: We know our school’s mascot, but do we know why that mascot was chosen? The Tri-County Times dives into the backstories of four schools’ mascots in its area – Tri-County Times
Holland West Ottawa Athletics Complex Recognized with National Award
December 12, 2023
Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex, with architectural firm GMB, has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities.
West Ottawa’s new stadium consists of two turf playing fields. The west field was designed deliberately without a surrounding track to bring the stands and field closer together with a central tunnel beneath the grandstands for the home team to enter onto the field. The same synthetic turf, light posts, and state-of-the-art audio/video systems are utilized on both fields for an equitable experience for all users.
Multiple ground-level entry points with access to the fields, barrier-free locker rooms and multiple seating options with elevator access also create accessibility for spectators, players, coaches, and support staff.
“This facility allows our students the opportunity to play in one of the premier complexes in the state of Michigan,” said Jeff Malloch, assistant superintendent of business services at West Ottawa Public Schools. “We have seen continued interest in lacrosse, football, and soccer, and this complex will be utilized by our community youth from elementary age to high school student-athletes.”
Adding elevated fan experiences, such as a concourse level between the upper and lower sections of the home stands, bigger bleachers, and updated concession stands and restrooms establish a venue for multiple sports and attract the entire community to utilize the facility.
“This is a one-of-a-kind facility for West Michigan, and it’s been wonderful to see student-athletes from across the state enjoy the complex’s unique amenities,” said Nate Bosch, a landscape architect with GMB. “The collaboration needed to make this project come to life was an inspiring process to be a part of, and we are so pleased to celebrate this accomplishment with West Ottawa.”
This is the first time a GMB project has been awarded a multi-field facility of the year honor by the ASBA. GMB also has received four Project of the Year honors in the outdoor tennis category and 20 distinguished awards from ASBA for other athletic facility projects over the past 12 years.
(Photos by M-Buck Studio.)