Today in the MHSAA: 11/20/17
November 20, 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: Novi and Bronson won their third straight MHSAA titles in Class A and C, respectively, while Plymouth Christian Academy repeated in Class D and Pontiac Notre Dame finished an incredible run atop Class B – Second Half
2. Girls Swimming & Diving: Farmington Hills Mercy, East Grand Rapids and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood claimed MHSAA titles, Mercy without an individual champion, EGR for the first time in Division 2 and Cranbrook led in part by a number of underclassmen – Second Half
3. Football: Central Lake won its first football championship ever, and Crystal Falls Forest Park won its first since 2007 at the 8-Player Finals – Second Half
4. Hockey: Sault Ste. Marie scored with less than a minute to play to down Highland Milford 3-2 in an Elks Showcase game – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
5. Hockey: After seeing a 3-0 lead disappear, Hartland still held off Canton 5-4 in the Eagles’ season opener; Hartland made the Division 2 Semifinals last winter – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. Hockey: Division 2 No. 10 Midland Dow opened with a 2-1 win over Division 1 No. 7 Lake Orion – Midland Daily News
7. Hockey: Top-ranked and reigning Division 1 runner-up Detroit Catholic Central took a pair of defeats to undefeated power Culver Prep of Indiana, 5-2 and 4-2 – Observer & Eccentric
8. Hockey: Romeo, a quarterfinalist in Division 2 last season, opened with a 6-4 win over 2017 Division 1 quarterfinalist Lowell – Macomb Daily
9. Hockey: Grand Haven fell in overtime Friday to Byron Center, but secured a tie with Mattawan on Saturday, again in overtime – Grand Haven Tribune
10. Hockey: Manistee scored all four goals during the second period to edge Hudsonville 4-3 – Manistee News Advocate
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.)