Today in the MHSAA: 9/15/20
September 15, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Another meeting of Lower Peninsula golf elite tops today’s list of Monday’s headliners from across the state.
1. Girls Golf: Flint Powers Catholic’s Jolie Brochu and South Lyon – No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – were winners at the Davison Invitational – Flint Journal
2. Volleyball: Muskegon Mona Shores defeated Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Fruitport during an indoor “Battle on the Boardwalk” – Muskegon Chronicle
3. Boys Soccer: Buckley came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Maple City Glen Lake 5-3 and improve to 9-0 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. Volleyball: Kingsley swept Manistee, Maple City Glen Lake and Traverse City Christian – MI Sports Now
5. Boys Tennis: LPD3 No. 7 Holland Christian edged Hamilton 5-3 with three singles wins – Holland Sentinel
6. Volleyball: Saginaw Valley Lutheran scooped up a pair of wins against larger opponents, downing Saginaw Heritage and Swan Valley – Saginaw News
7. Boys Soccer: Brownstown Woodhaven scored twice during the final five minutes to get past Allen Park 3-2 – Southgate News-Herald
8. Volleyball: Bark River-Harris improved to 4-1 with a sweep of Ishpeming Westwood – Escanaba Daily Press
9. Boys Soccer: Grand Blanc scored five unanswered goals during the second half to defeat Midland 6-0 – Midland Daily News
10. Volleyball: Morley Stanwood opened league play with a sweep of Holton – Big Rapids News
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.)