Today in the MHSAA: 4/11/18
April 11, 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.
1. Boys Lacrosse: Joey Kamish scored in overtime to give Detroit Catholic Central its first win over 13-time reigning champion Birmingham Brother Rice since 1994, 10-9 – Observer & Eccentric
2. Girls Soccer: Division 3 power Hudsonville Unity Christian downed Division 2 No. 4 Holland Christian 2-0 – FOX17
3. Girls Soccer: Sarah Dawson scored half of her team’s goals in Jonesville’s 6-1 win over Hillsdale – Hillsdale Daily News
4. Baseball: Holland Christian’s Chris Mokma threw a five-inning perfect game as his team swept Hudsonville Unity Christian – Holland Sentinel
5. Baseball: Detroit Edison won a matchup of two of the best in the Detroit Public School League, 8-7 over Detroit Martin Luther King – Detroit News
6. Boys Golf: Holland West Ottawa shot a 333 to win the Wooden Shoe Invitational by 20 strokes – Holland Sentinel
7. Baseball: Essexville Garber and Standish-Sterling split a doubleheader, with Spencer Mahar’s walk-off double in the eighth inning of the Dukes’ 7-6 win among highlights – Bay City Times
8. Girls Soccer: Sidney McClay scored with just under three minutes to play to give Romeo a 1-0 win over Berkley – Oakland Press
9. Baseball: Brett Sikorski threw a five-inning no-hitter to lead Bronson in its doubleheader sweep of Union City – Coldwater Daily Reporter
10. Boys Soccer: Longtime Parma Western coach Ron Rudland, the only coach in program history, retired after 33 seasons – Jackson Citizen Patriot
Also of note …
Coaches: Fruitport Calvary Christian girls basketball coach Brad Richards has put together a Class D power over the last many years. This past winter also included a large role in a fascinating reality show airing on the History Channel; he’s part of a search for Confederate gold in Lake Michigan – Local Sports 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.)