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: 5/30/19

May 30, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Upsets and more close finishes continued to set the stage as teams moved on in the girls soccer, girls and boys lacrosse and boys golf tournaments Thursday, in addition to champions being crowned in Upper Peninsula Boys Tennis and Girls & Boys Golf Finals – see coverage of all four of those events under “Latest Posts” to the right.

1. Girls Soccer: No. 9 Grand Haven upset No. 2 Grandville 3-2 to move on to a Division 1 District championship game – Grand Haven Tribune

2. Boys Lacrosse: No. 1 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central clinched its eighth straight Regional title with a 17-4 win over No. 5 Forest Hills Northern in Division 2 – FOX 17

3. Girls Soccer: No. 12 Macomb Dakota moved on in Division 1 with a 1-0 overtime win over No. 8 New Baltimore Anchor Bay in their District Semifinal – Macomb Daily

4. Boys Lacrosse: Plymouth won its first Regional title in this sport, downing No. 10 Saline 19-12 in Division 1 – Observer & Eccentric

5. Girls Soccer: No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian got past No. 8 Kalamazoo Hackett in a Division 4 District Semifinal – Kalamazoo Gazette

6. Boys Golf: No. 6 Clinton edged Jackson Christian by a stroke to win its second straight Lower Peninsula Division 4 Regional title – Adrian Daily Telegram

7. Girls Soccer: Top-ranked Novi got past No. 11 Hartland to move on to a Division 1 District Final – Oakland Press

8. Girls Lacrosse: Top-ranked East Grand Rapids advanced on to a Division 2 Regional Final with a 25-7 win over No. 10 Grand Rapids Catholic Central – FOX 17

9. Girls Soccer: Ellie Primerano’s last-minute goal gave No. 13 St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran a 2-1 lead on the way to a Division 4 District Semifinal win over Bridgman – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

10. Boys Golf: No. 2 DeWitt, Haslett and Mason took the top three spots in their LPD2 Regional at El Dorado, keeping reigning champion Flint Powers Catholic (fourth place) from advancing to this year’s Finals – Flint Journal