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: 10/9/18

October 9, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

1. Boys Soccer: Lincoln Alcona clinched a share of a sixth straight North Star League title with a win over Fairview – Alpena News

2. Cross Country: The Ishpeming Westwood girls and Upper Peninsula Division 2 top-ranked Ishpeming boys won Mid-Peninsula Conference championships – Marquette Mining Journal

3. Boys Soccer: Division 4 No. 4 Kalamazoo Hackett claimed a second straight outright Southwestern Athletic Conference championship with a 4-3 win over Fennville – JoeInsider.com

4. Boys Soccer: Hillsdale Academy finished a repeat run as Independent Soccer League West champion with a win over Jonesville – Hillsdale Daily News

5. Girls Golf: Myra Becksfort led Hamilton to the Wooden Show Invitational title with her second individual championship at the event – Holland Sentinel

6. Boys Tennis: LPD4 No. 3 Allegan was first and Sturgis second at the Wolverine Conference tournament – Sturgis Journal

7. Boys Tennis: LPD2 No. 6 Midland Dow earned coach Terry Schwartzkopf his 200th career victory in a win over Davison – Midland Daily News

8. Volleyball: Beaverton improved to 33-2-2 with a three-set win over Division 4 No. 10 Onaway – Midland Daily News

9. Volleyball: Petoskey improved to 30-4-1 with a three-set win at Sault Ste. Marie – Petoskey News-Review

10. Volleyball: Escanaba came back after losing the first set to defeat Norway 3-1 – Escanaba Daily Press

Also of note …

Cross Country: Fraser’s boys clinched the Macomb Area Conference Blue dual meet championship with an undefeated record – the first league title of any sort for a Fraser cross country team – C&G Newspapers