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: 4/22/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 22, 2025

1. GIRLS SOCCER Romeo scored with 16 minutes to play to upset Division 1 No. 2 Utica Eisenhower 2-1 – Macomb Daily

2. BASEBALL Dexter came back to win the first game and then finished a sweep of Division 1 No. 7 Saline – Ann Arbor News

3. GIRLS SOCCER Division 4 No. 7 Leland remains undefeated thanks to a 3-1 win over Division 3 No. 7 Traverse City St. Francis – MI Sports Now

4. BOYS GOLF Muskegon Mona Shores won its sixth-straight Greater Muskegon Athletic Association city championship, carding a 315 – Local Sports Journal

5. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 2 Bay City Western and Midland Dow split, Western winning 13-2 and Dow taking the second game 7-4 – Midland Daily News

6. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 8 New Boston Huron handed Division 3 No. 15 Milan its first defeat, 3-1 – Southgate News-Herald

7. SOFTBALL Bay City Western scored 10 runs in the seventh inning to complete a 13-12 comeback win over Midland Dow – Bay City Times

8. SOFTBALL Macomb Dakota followed Kiley Phelan to a 14-4 win over Division 2 No. 6 Richmond – Macomb Daily

9. BASEBALL Okemos swept Holt, taking the second game 15-13 on a walk-off homer – WILX

10. BASEBALL Division 4 top-ranked Portland St. Patrick swept rival Pewamo-Westphalia 5-0, 5-2 – Lansing State Journal