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: 4/29/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 29, 2025

1. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 4 Richland Gull Lake went on the road to down Division 1 No. 6 Portage Central 1-0 – Kalamazoo Gazette

2. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 6 New Boston Huron shut out Division 3 No. 2 Grosse Ile 4-0 – Southgate News-Herald

3. BASEBALL New Baltimore Anchor Bay edged Division 1 No. 3 Grosse Pointe South 1-0 in extra innings – Macomb Daily

4. BASEBALL Okemos moved into first alone in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue with a sweep of Division 1 No. 13 Grand Ledge – Lansing State Journal

5. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 16 Midland and No. 2 Bay City Western split, Midland winning the opener in a matchup of aces – Midland Daily News

6. SOFTBALL Pinckney earned a split with Division 2 honorable mention Chelsea, winning the second game in eight innings – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

7. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 4 Rochester and No. 10 Troy Athens played to a 2-2 draw – Oakland Press

8. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Linden swept Fenton to move into first alone in the Flint Metro League Stripes – Flint Journal

9. GIRLS SOCCER Alahna Beckett scored all of Division 1 No. 11 Midland’s goals in a 3-0 win over Midland Dow that moved the Chemics into first alone in the Saginaw Valley League – Midland Daily News

10. BOYS GOLF Freshman Cruz Beckstrom carded a 31 to tie Muskegon Mona Shores’ school record and lead his team to a first place at the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green jamboree – Local Sports Journal

Also of note ...

BASKETBALL Lansing is mourning the death of longtime Everett coach Johnny Jones, who led the Vikings girls to two Class A titles and the boys to one championship – WILX