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: 5/20/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 20, 2026
1. SOFTBALL Springport clinched a share of the Big 8 Conference title for the first time since 2014, sweeping Stockbridge – Jackson Citizen Patriot
2. TRACK & FIELD McBain’s girls – No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – and the top-ranked Manton boys extended their Highland Conference reigns with league meet wins – Cadillac News
3. GIRLS SOCCER Traverse City West clinched a share of the Big North Conference title with a 3-0 win over Gaylord – Up North Live
4. TRACK & FIELD Chesaning swept girls and boys championships in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference – Saginaw News
5. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 20 Springport finished a perfect run through the Big 8 Conference with a sweep of Stockbridge – Jackson Citizen Patriot
6. TRACK & FIELD The Milan girls and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central boys won Huron League meets – Monroe News
7. TRACK & FIELD The Breckenridge girls and LPD4 No. 9 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart boys were champions in the Mid-State Activities Conference – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
8. TRACK & FIELD The LPD3 No. 9 Brighton Charyl Stockwell girls and Plymouth Christian Academy boys won league meets in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
9. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 3 Lansing Catholic earned a 7-6 walk-off win over Division 2 No. 4 Williamston in the Dean Shippey Capital Diamond Classic opener – Lansing State Journal
10. SOFTBALL DeWitt and Division 3 No. 9 Lansing Catholic advanced in the Greater Lansing Hall of Fame Softball Classic – WLNS