Today In The MHSAA: 8/25/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 25, 2021
1. BOYS TENNIS Traverse City St. Francis – a semifinalist last season in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – downed reigning champion Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, plus Almont and Allen Park – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep remained undefeated with wins over Division 1 No. 6 Lake Orion, No. 9 Clarkston and Oxford – Oakland Press
3. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 honorable mention Essexville Garber downed Bay City Western to clinch the Bay County championship – Bay City Times
4. CROSS COUNTRY Freeland swept the Warrior Early Season Invitational titles at Remus Chippewa Hills – Big Rapids News Girls | Boys
5. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 7 Grand Rapids Catholic Central swept Niles in the most notable match of the Hamilton quad; Niles additionally defeated Hamilton and Zeeland East – Niles Daily Star
6. BOYS SOCCER Brighton scored the lone goal in a 1-0 weather-shortened game over Hartland – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
7. BOYS SOCCER Five players scored in Muskegon Mona Shores’ 5-2 win over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central – Local Sports Journal
8. VOLLEYBALL Boyne City went 3-0 against East Jordan, Bellaire and Alpena – Petoskey News-Review
9. CROSS COUNTRY Grand Haven swept the Division 1 races, and the Manistee boys and Muskegon Catholic Central girls won Division 2 championships at the Eagle Invitational at Fruitport Calvary Christian – Ludington Daily News
10. VOLLEYBALL Swartz Creek downed Montrose in the season opener for both – Mid-Michigan Now
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.)