Today in the MHSAA: 1/13/17
January 13, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
For the second straight day, we’ve seen news of a resignation of a successful football coach. Scroll to the bottom of today’s report to find out two more who are leaving the sideline.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Boys Basketball
Hart came back from nine down in the first quarter to get past Shelby 49-43 in double overtime – Muskegon Chronicle
Brimley moved into a first-place tie in the Eastern U.P. Conference by handing previous lone leader Cedarville its first league loss, 60-57 in overtime – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Big Rapids Crossroads handed Baldwin its first loss of the season, 53-51 – Big Rapids News
Buckley remained in a tie for first in the Northwest Conference, knocking Maple City Glen Lake into second with a 78-39 win – Cadillac News
Girls Basketball
Port Huron Northern continued a tough run through the Macomb Area Conference Red, this time with a 35-30 win over Grosse Pointe North – Clinton Township Voice
Boys Swimming & Diving
Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 3 Holland West Ottawa continued to shine with a 186-121 win over honorable mention Grand Haven – Grand Haven Tribune
Football
Lake Orion’s Chris Bell, now the school’s athletic director, ended his coaching tenure at 19 seasons and promoted assistant John Blackstock to take his place – Oakland Press
Mason's Jerry VanHavel will join the staff at Division III Mount Union after 26 seasons and 169 wins with the Bulldogs – Lansing State Journal
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.)