Today in the MHSAA: 11/1/17
November 1, 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 Tennis: Traverse City Central coach Larry Nykerk’s retirement was announced Tuesday; he’s stepping down after 50 seasons leading the program – Traverse City Record Eagle
2. Volleyball: No. 8 Rogers City came back from losing the first set to beat Hillman in four in their Class D District Semifinal – Alpena News
3. Volleyball: Class A top-ranked Rockford downed honorable mention Lowell in three sets – RedArrowAthletics.com
4. Cross Country: The Sturgis girls and Constantine boys both repeated as champions at the St. Joseph County Invitational – Sturgis Journal
5. Volleyball: After also meeting in a football playoff game Friday, neighbors Zeeland East and West met in volleyball, with the Class A honorable mention Chix getting past West in three close sets in their District match – Holland Sentinel
6. Volleyball: Traverse City Central earned a rematch with rival West by downing Alpena in a Class A District match – Traverse City Record-Eagle
7. Volleyball: Class A honorable mention East Grand Rapids moved on in its District with a three-set win over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern – EastGRSports.com
8. Volleyball: Class D No. 5 Onaway swept Posen on the other side of the District bracket at Rogers City – Alpena News
9. Volleyball: After winning a first set that got to 33-31, Holland Calvary held on to defeat Byron Center Zion Christian in four in a Class D District – Holland Sentinel
10. Volleyball: Petoskey swept Marquette in a first-round Class A District match – Petoskey News-Review
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.)