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: 5/10/19

May 10, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The league title portion of this spring is in full swing, with champions awarded Thursday in girls tennis, girls and boys track & field and boys lacrosse.

1. Girls Tennis: Midland Dow – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – edged Grand Blanc to earn the Saginaw Valley League championship for the 22nd straight season – Midland Daily News

2. Track & Field: Pinckney’s girls and boys teams followed up unbeaten dual seasons with Southeastern Conference White league meet championships – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

3. Track & Field: Kent City swept Central State Activities Association Silver league meet titles; the girls team is ranked No. 4 in LPD3 – Big Rapids News

4. Track & Field: The Colon boys and Athens girls clinched Southern Central Athletic Association West titles; the Athens girls are ranked No. 9 in LPD4 – Sturgis Journal

5. Boys Lacrosse: Division 2 No. 3 Spring Lake clinched its first league title in the sport with a 9-2 Ottawa-Kent Conference win over Grand Rapids Christian – Grand Haven Tribune

6. Track & Field: Marion’s girls clinched the West Michigan D League title by seven points – Cadillac News

7. Girls Soccer: Formerly-ranked Utica Eisenhower earned a 2-1 league win over Division 1 No. 5 Macomb Dakota – Macomb Daily

8. Softball: Division 1 No. 8 Caledonia secured a season series win over honorable mention Grand Haven with a 12-1 victory – Local Sports Journal

9. Girls Soccer: Division 3 top-ranked Freeland also added an impressive win, 4-2 over Division 2 No. 15 Linden – Midland Daily News

10. Baseball: Division 2 No. 3 Holland Christian edged Byron Center 2-1 with a walk-off hit in the seventh inning – Holland Christian