Today in the MHSAA: 10/30/18
October 30, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Girls Volleyball Districts began Monday with 141 matches across the state, filling today’s list of achievers.
1. Volleyball: After the teams split during the regular season, No. 8 Traverse City St. Francis downed Elk Rapids in a Division 3 District opener – WPBN
2. Volleyball: Ann Arbor Skyline came back from a two-set deficit to win a Division 1 District opener – Saline Post
3. Volleyball: Lake City came back from losing the first set to down McBain in four in Division 3 – Cadillac News
4. Volleyball: No. 4 Lowell improved to 37-3-2 with a sweep of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in Division 1 – FOX 17
5. Volleyball: Niles Brandywine improved to 44-5 with a sweep of Watervliet in Division 3 – South Bend Tribune
6. Volleyball: Manistique swept Bark River-Harris to open the week with a Division 3 victory – Escanaba Daily Press
7. Volleyball: Sanford Meridian and Harrison traded sets, with Meridian coming out with a 3-2 win in Division 3 – Midland Daily News
8. Volleyball: No. 7 Rockford also earned a Division 1 sweep, over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern – FOX 17
9. Volleyball: Bay City Western downed rival Bay City Central in a Division 1 sweep – Bay City Times
10. Volleyball: Honorable mention Adrian Madison advanced in Division 3 with a sweep of Clinton – Adrian Daily Telegram
Also of note …
Volleyball: From Saturday, Division 4 No. 5 Camden-Frontier upset No. 3 Battle Creek St. Philip to claim the Southern Central Athletic Association tournament title; the two have since traded spots in this week’s final poll – Hillsdale Daily News
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.)