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: 12/12/19

December 12, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Wrestling and bowling entered our daily headline report for the first time after a highlight-filled Wednesday that also saw intriguing results from hockey, girls and boys basketball and gymnastics.

1. Wrestling: Division 3 No. 4 Remus Chippewa Hills started the season with a big victory, 43-32 over Division 1 No. 9 Grandville – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

2. Hockey: Division 2 No. 4 Hartland remained unbeaten with a 4-2 win over No. 9 Howell – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

3. Wrestling: Division 2 No. 9 Stevensville Lakeshore opened with a 32-31 win over Indiana power Mishawaka – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

4. Bowling: A pair of annual Division 4 title contenders faced off, with Vandercook Lake getting past Napoleon 16-15 in the boys match and Napoleon winning the girls 25-5 – JTV

5. Hockey: Division 3 No. 7 Midland Dow moved to 5-0 with a 3-1 win over Division 2 No. 10 Davison – Midland Daily News

6. Wrestling: Division 2 No. 2 Gaylord swept Rogers City and Oscoda, with Blue Devils coach Jerry LaJoie winning his 700th dual – Gaylord Herald Times

7. Girls Basketball: Sarah Sylvester sank the winning free throw with three seconds to play in Bloomfield Hills Marian’s 40-39 win over Auburn Hills Avondale – Oakland Press

8. Boys Basketball: Roseville downed New Haven 74-44 in a matchup of reigning Macomb Area Conference champions – Macomb Daily

9. Gymnastics: Escanaba took a major step toward its goal of making Regionals as a team, scoring 123 points in a win over Negaunee – Escanaba Daily Press

10. Girls basketball: Cedar Springs is 4-0 for the first time in recent memory after a 49-39 win over Newaygo – FOX 17