Today in the MHSAA: 9/17/20
September 17, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A relatively quiet Wednesday statewide was headlined by a statement-making win among Ann Arbor and statewide golf powers.
1. Girls Golf: Ann Arbor Pioneer, ranked No. 9 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, earned three league wins including a key victory over No. 8 Skyline, shooting 162 – We Love Ann Arbor
2. Volleyball: Gaylord game back to defeat Petoskey is five sets – Gaylord Herald Times
3. Volleyball: The games were close, but Cadillac swept Traverse City Central – Cadillac News
4. Boys Soccer: New Haven downed Eastpointe 4-1 with three goals by David Glefke – Macomb Daily
5. Volleyball: Bullock Creek came back after losing the first set to defeat Saginaw Nouvel in four – Midland Daily News
6. Cross Country: Leslie swept the championships at its home invitational; Leslie’s boys are ranked No. 5 in LPD3 – JTV
7. Boys Soccer: Hemlock came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Bullock Creek 4-2 – Midland Daily News
8. Boys Soccer: Cole Schelb scored five goals in Midland’s big win over Mount Pleasant – Midland Daily News
9. Volleyball: Jackson Northwest bounced back from losing the third and fourth sets to defeat Parma Western in five – Jackson Citizen Patriot
10. Boys Soccer: Unionville-Sebewaing got past Memphis 4-3 on a late penalty kick – Huron Daily Tribune
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.)