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: 1/29/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 29, 2026
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Midland Dow’s Melanie Kolnitys scored the 1,000th point of her career during a 62-38 win over Grand Blanc, also her final varsity game as she’s scheduled to have season-ending knee surgery – Midland Daily News
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Noah Barr went over 1,000 career points in Breckenridge’s 60-36 win over St. Helen Charlton Heston – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
3. COMPETITIVE CHEER Richmond won the latest Blue Water Area Conference jamboree against a field that included two more likely Finals contenders – Macomb Daily
4. WRESTLING Division 1 No. 2 Hartland downed No. 3 Brighton 36-28 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
5. WRESTLING Division 2 No. 5 New Boston Huron finished its second-straight perfect run through the Huron League with a 54-12 win over Monroe Jefferson – Southgate News-Herald
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Mallory Woiteshek’s late free throw gave undefeated Grand Haven a 47-46 win over Muskegon – Local Sports Journal
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Maple City Glen Lake moved into first place alone in the Northwest Conference with a 58-49 win over Buckley – Traverse City Record-Eagle
8. BOYS BASKETBALL East Jordan fortified its spot atop the Ski Valley Conference with a 45-36 win over Mancelona – Up North Live
9. WRESTLING Midland downed reigning Saginaw Valley League champion Lapeer 41-35 – Midland Daily News
10. BOYS BASKETBALL Detroit Douglass downed Denby 59-52 – Detroit News