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: 1/10/19

January 10, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

We kick off today’s list of Wednesday’s headliners with a pair of impressive girls basketball wins and a perfect game on the bowling lanes, and check out as well "The Official Report" featuring MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl.

1. Girls Basketball: Detroit Martin Luther King moved to 8-0 by edging rival Cass Tech 56-53 in overtime – Detroit News

2. Girls Basketball: Saginaw Heritage won its eighth straight over Flint Carman-Ainsworth, but it was hardly a cinch as the Hawks held on for a 46-41 win – Saginaw News

3. Bowling: Dallas Casey rolled the first perfect game in Saline history to lead his team to a 29-1 win over Pinckney – Saline Post

4. Boys Basketball: Maple City Glen Lake downed Northwest Conference co-leader Frankfort 66-41 to take an upper hand in the standings – Traverse City Record-Eagle

5. Wrestling: Stevensville Lakeshore won the final six matches to break away from St. Joseph 42-19 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

6. Girls Basketball: Manton downed first-place McBain 52-39 in Highland Conference play to take over the league’s top spot – MI Sports Now

7. Hockey: Division 1 No. 6 Farmington United improved to 10-2-1 with a 7-2 win over Bloomfield Hills – Observer & Eccentric

8. Boys Basketball: Gwinn needed just about every second of double overtime but downed Houghton 77-76 – The Upbeat

9. Wrestling: Division 2 No. 9 Tecumseh downed Adrian and Ypsilanti Community in Southeastern Conference White matches – Adrian Daily Telegram

10. Wrestling: Division 4 No. 1 Hudson shut out Brooklyn Columbia Central and nearly did the same to Hillsdale in the Lenawee County Athletic Association – Adrian Daily Telegram

Also of note ...

Officiating: The MHSAA's Mark Uyl, formerly the coordinator of officials before taking over as executive director, discusses officiating. He also has served as one of the most highly-regarded college baseball umpires in the nation –  The Official Report