Today in the MHSAA: 11/9/17
November 9, 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: Nearly a year after finishing Class C runner-up, unranked Brown City finds itself two wins from returning to Kellogg Arena next week with the next step a Regional Final against No. 6 Unionville-Sebewaing – Port Huron Times Herald
2. Volleyball: Reigning champion and top-ranked Bronson got in some film study Wednesday as it prepared for tonight’s Regional Final against No. 4 Schoolcraft – Sturgis Journal
3. Diving: Gaylord’s Caitlyn Elenz will compete in a Division 3 Regional tonight after coming back from a concussion sustained last month – Gaylord Herald Times
4. Volleyball: No. 8 Rogers City is focused on honorable mention Bellaire after eliminating No. 2 Leland in a Class D Regional Semifinal on Tuesday – Alpena News
5. Volleyball: Honorable mention Fruitport is gearing up for a Class B Regional Final against Grant coming off a big win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Grand Haven Tribune
6. Football: Belding is enjoying its best season since 1998 and now faces reigning champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central in a Division 4 Regional Final – Greenville Daily News
7. Football: Portland will host what’s become an annual playoff matchup with reigning champion Grand Rapids West Catholic in Division 5 – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
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.)