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: 12/3/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

December 3, 2025

1. BOYS BASKETBALL Saginaw United played its first game in its new home gym, downing Detroit Catholic Central 67-57 – WNEM

2. BOYS BASKETBALL Charlevoix standout Joe Gaffney continued a courageous return to the court in his team’s 50-45 win over Ellsworth – Petoskey News-Review

3. BOYS BASKETBALL Ben Johnson scored 47 points in Portage Central’s 74-71 win over Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep – Kalamazoo Gazette

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Hemlock came back from a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat Chesaning in overtime, 58-49 – Saginaw News

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Ethan Marta scored 32 points in Ishpeming Westwood’s opening win over Hancock – Upper Michigan’s Source

6. ICE HOCKEY Division 3 top-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s scored five first-period goals in a win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate – Macomb Daily

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice put together a significant second-quarter run to pull away from Ferndale 87-59 – Oakland Press

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Manistee surged during the second half to get past Mason County Central 45-42 – Manistee News Advocate

9. BOYS BASKETBALL Haslett started the third quarter on an 11-0 run on the way to defeating Ionia 68-44 – Lansing State Journal

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Hartland received double-digit scoring from three players during a 58-47 win over Walled Lake Central – Livingston Daily Press & Argus