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: 10/1/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 1, 2026
1. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 7 Saugatuck clinched its first Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title with a 4-2 win over South Haven – Holland Sentinel
2. BOYS SOCCER Midland Dow claimed its first Saginaw Valley League championship since 2022 with a 2-1 win over Grand Blanc – Midland Daily News
3. BOYS SOCCER Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse clinched another Macomb Area Conference Gold title with a 5-1 win over Clawson – Macomb Daily
4. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 3 honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis avenged an earlier loss to No. 5 Elk Rapids with a sweep – Up North Live
5. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 14 Freeland held on for a 2-1 win over No. 13 Saginaw Swan Valley – Saginaw News
6. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 7 Frankenmuth downed No. 8 Alma 4-1 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
7. GIRLS GOLF Petoskey carded a 398 to edge Elk Rapids – No. 5 in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – and win the Harbor Springs Invitational – Cadillac News
8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 6 Frankenmuth downed honorable mention Essexville Garber 3-1 in a key league matchup – WNEM
9. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 4 Leland downed Maple City Glen Lake 1-0 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
10. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 9 Harbor Springs shut out Traverse City St. Francis 3-0 – MI Sports Now