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: 9/25/19

September 25, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A Detroit suburban matchup of statewide importance on the volleyball court and another league title clinched in boys soccer top a Wednesday list also filled with upsets plus a few stories of special interest.

1. Volleyball: Division 1 top-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy handed No. 4 Bloomfield Hills Marian its first defeat, moving to 27-1 with the sweep – State Champs Sports Network

2. Boys Soccer: Division 4 No. 4 North Muskegon shut out Whitehall 4-0 to finish a perfect title run through West Michigan Conference play – Local Sports Journal

3. Boys Soccer: Saline remained unbeaten in Southeastern Conference Red play with a 2-1 win over Division 1 No. 7 Ann Arbor Skyline – Saline Post

4. Boys Soccer: Holland West Ottawa earned a 3-1 upset over Division 1 No. 10 Caledonia – Holland Sentinel

5. Volleyball: Dexter swept second-place Tecumseh to remain in first in the SEC White – Chelsea Sun Times News

6. Boys Soccer: Traverse City Central also earned an upset, downing Division 2 No. 15 Gaylord 2-0 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

7. Cross Country: The Munising Invitational featured mostly familiar winners plus a new one – Marquette’s Upper Peninsula Division 1 top-ranked teams swept, Negaunee’s Emily Paupore won her fourth straight invitational and Gladstone sophomore Giovanni Mathews won his first – Escanaba Daily Press

8. Cross Country: Dexter’s LPD1 No. 3 boys and Tecumseh’s LPD2 No. 14 girls finished first ahead of loaded fields at the latest SEC White jamboree – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

9. Boys Soccer: Dearborn Divine Child shut out Division 3 No. 9 Macomb Lutheran North 4-0 – Macomb Daily

10. Boys Soccer: First-year program Watervliet improved to 6-4-1 with a win over Buchanan – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium