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: 11/4/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 4, 2025

1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Carrollton won the first two sets but Freeland came back to win in five in a Division 2 District opener – WNEM

2. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Buchanan won the first two sets, lost the next two, but won the fifth to get past Berrien Springs in Division 2 – Niles Daily Star

3. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Centreville also advanced in five sets over Homer in Division 3 – Sturgis Journal

4. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Bay City Western avenged a pair of regular-season losses to Midland with a Division 1 District win – Midland Daily News

5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Hartland avenged its regular-season loss to Howell, winning in four sets in Division 1 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

6. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Montague lost the first set but won the next three to get past Muskegon Oakridge in Division 2 – Local Sports Journal

7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Petoskey swept Marquette in a Division 1 District opener – Petoskey News-Review

8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Escanaba advanced with a sweep of Gladstone – Escanaba Daily Press

9. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Baraga also advanced with a sweep of Chassell in Division 4 – Upper Michigan’s Source

10. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Utica opened Division 1 District play with a sweep of Sterling Heights Stevenson – Macomb Daily