Today in the MHSAA: 10/26/17
October 26, 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. Volleyball: Beaverton clinched its first Jack Pine Conference title ever with sweeps of Harrison, Roscommon and Farwell – Midland Daily News
2. Boys Soccer: No. 15 Walled Lake Central took No. 10 Rochester to a shootout in a Division 1 Regional Semifinal and closed out a 3-2 win – Oakland Press
3. Boys Soccer: Muaz Asperger scored twice during overtime to lead Grand Blanc to a Division 1 Regional Semifinal win over Midland Dow – Midland Daily News
4. Volleyball: Class C honorable mention Saginaw Valley Lutheran won a match of undefeated Tri-Valley Conference West teams, claiming the league title with a four-set victory over St. Louis – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
5. Volleyball: Morley Stanwood clinched an outright Central State Activities Association White title with a five-set win over White Cloud – Big Rapids News
6. Volleyball: Class D honorable mention Rogers City swept Posen and No. 5 Onaway to claim a third straight Presque Isle Championship title – Alpena News
7. Volleyball: Coldwater finished an undefeated Interstate 8 Athletic Conference season with a sweep of Hastings – Coldwater Daily Reporter
8. Volleyball: Class B No. 9 Freeland finished a perfect run through the Tri-Valley Conference Central with a sweep of Midland Bullock Creek – Saginaw News
9. Volleyball: Class C No. 1 Bronson and honorable mention Mendon both claimed wins over Battle Creek St. Philip and Sturgis to close their regular seasons – Sturgis Journal
10. Volleyball: Harbor Beach swept the Bad Axe quad with wins over the host Hachets, Deckerville and Sandusky – Huron Daily Tribune
Also of note …
Volleyball: Corunna won a five-set match over Goodrich to claim a second straight Genesee Area Conference Red title – Owosso Argus-Press
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.)