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: 2/2/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 2, 2026

1. BOYS WRESTLING Division 3 top-ranked Dundee defeated Division 1 No. 1 Detroit Catholic Central on Friday and then Division 2 No. 1 Lowell and No. 4 Linden on Saturday – Monroe News

2. BOYS WRESTLING Bay City John Glenn edged Division 2 No. 7 Freeland for the Tri-Valley Conference title – Bay City Times

3. BOYS BOWLING Remus Chippewa Hills capped its first perfect run through the Central State Activities Association – Big Rapids Pioneer

4. GIRLS WRESTLING LeRoy Pine River won the first Mid-Michigan/Highland Conference girls championship – Cadillac News

5. BOYS WRESTLING Fred Hammond reached 200 career wins as Division 3 No. 7 Otisville-LakeVille Memorial won its Tamonta Hill Team Tournament title – Flint Journal

6. ICE HOCKEY Division 3 No. 6 Riverview Gabriel Richard downed Division 1 No. 6 Northville 5-2 at the MIHL Showcase – Southgate News-Herald

7. BOYS WRESTLING St. Joseph won its first Berrien County Invitational championship in 33 years – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

8. BOYS WRESTLING Division 4 top-ranked Hudson won a Lenawee County Tournament that also included No. 3 Clinton – Adrian Daily Telegram

9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Rockford downed Grand Haven 64-48 in a league matchup of statewide Division 1 contenders – Muskegon Chronicle

10. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Milford's Sam Campbell and Detroit Catholic Central's Camren Turowski won multiple events at the MISCA Meet – MISCA

Also of note …

GIRLS BASKETBALL Angela Meggisson scored 50 points for the second-straight game, totaling 53 in a win over Detroit University Prep Art & Design – Ann Arbor News