Why be an Official? (Grand Rapids Press)

January 25, 2012

The Grand Rapids Press' Jane Bos tells the story of some of the most valuable, yet often-criticized people who help make our games go -- the officials enforcing the rules. 

Consider this interesting point: On a Tuesday or Friday, the O-K Conference must come up with 150 officials to work its basketball games. And it, like most if not all leagues, always is looking for more.

She also explains how another former Press sportswriter, Howie Beardsley, got into the reffing game.

Check it out:

"Why West Michigan high school referees say you should consider wearing stripes"

Today in the MHSAA: 11/6/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 6, 2026

1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Honorable mention Buckley claimed a Division 4 District title with a five-set win over No. 3 Traverse City Christian – MI Sports Now

2. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Honorable mention Holland Christian clinched a Division 2 District title with a 3-1 win over No. 9 Grand Rapids South Christian – Holland Sentinel

3. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL McBain advanced with a four-set District final win over Manton in a matchup of Division 3 honorable mentions – Cadillac News

4. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 3 Parma Western swept honorable mention Marshall to clinch a fourth-straight Division 2 District title – Jackson Citizen Patriot

5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Midland Dow came back from two sets down to defeat Traverse City Central in five in a Division 1 District Final – Midland Daily News

6. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Honorable mention Onekama swept Frankfort to finish a seventh-straight District title in Division 4 – Benzie County Record Patriot

7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL After falling to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in District Finals the last two seasons, No. 6 Macomb Lutheran North prevailed this time 3-1 in Division 2 – Macomb Daily

8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Wyandotte Roosevelt won the first two sets and then hung on through the final three to claim a Division 1 District title against Southgate Anderson – Southgate News-Herald

9. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 4 No. 4 Battle Creek St. Philip ran its District streak to 27 with a sweep of Climax-Scotts – Battle Creek Enquirer

10. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Gibraltar Carlson completed a repeat championship in the Downriver League – Southgate News-Herald