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: 4/23/25
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 23, 2025
1. SOFTBALL Division 1 No. 2 Hudsonville increased its winning streak to 48 with a sweep of No. 6 Grand Haven – Grand Rapids Press
2. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 11 Hartland scored three straight second-half goals to get past No. 10 Brighton 3-1 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. GIRLS SOCCER A late goal led to a 2-2 draw between Division 1 No. 3 Bloomfield Hills and No. 5 Rochester – Oakland Press
4. GIRLS SOCCER Division 3 No. 6 Frankenmuth and No. 4 Essexville Garber remain undefeated after playing to a 1-1 draw – Mid-Michigan Now
5. BOYS LACROSSE Birmingham United took a big step toward a league title with a 12-11 overtime win over Clarkston – Oakland Press
6. SOFTBALL Kalamazoo Central improved to 13-0 with a sweep of Mattawan – Kalamazoo Gazette
7. TRACK & FIELD Kingsford’s girls and boys were among the most impressive teams at the Marquette Invitational – Upper Michigan’s Source
8. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 15 Watervliet and Bridgman split, with the Bees winning the opener – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
9. TRACK & FIELD Temperance Bedford’s boys – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – continued their undefeated run through the Southeastern Conference Red with wins over Monroe and Ann Arbor Pioneer, while Pioneer’s girls also went 2-0 – Monroe News
10. BASEBALL Essexville Garber and Freeland split, with Garber winning the opener in extra innings – Bay City Times