Today in the MHSAA: 6/4/18
June 4, 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. Today's report does not include coverage of Track & Field and Girls Tennis Finals; Second Half covered all 18 of those meets.
1. Softball: Honorable mention Clinton Township Chippewa Valley got past reigning Division 1 champion and current No. 4 Macomb Dakota to finish a District title run – Macomb Daily
2. Softball: Custer Mason County Eastern downed Pentwater and then Onekama in Division 4 to claim an incredible 33rd consecutive District championship in this sport – Ludington Daily News
3. Boys Golf: No. 4 Gaylord and Brendon Gouin swept Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional titles as the Blue Devils prevailed ahead of top-ranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern – Gaylord Herald Times
4. Baseball: Grosse Pointe South swept Grosse Pointe North and then No. 2 University Liggett to claim a Division 1 District title – Detroit News
5. Boys Lacrosse: No. 2 Hartland downed No. 5 Brighton 19-7 in a Division 1 Quarterfinal – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. Boys Lacrosse: Reigning 13-time Division 1 champion Birmingham Brother Rice hung on through a 9-8 Quarterfinal win over Northville – Observer & Eccentric
7. Baseball: Brighton avenged two regular-season losses to No. 4 Howell with a 3-0 Division 1 District win that broke the Highlanders’ six-year streak of titles – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Baseball: Armada upset No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 1-0 in Division 2 to win its first District title since 2005 – Macomb Daily
9. Baseball: No. 9 Brownstown Woodhaven got past Temperance Bedford 8-4 in Division 1 to claim its first District title in baseball – Southgate News Herald
10. Girls Soccer: Waterford Mott downed Walled Lake Central in Division 1 to claim its first District title in girls soccer – Oakland Press
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.)