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: 4/25/18

April 25, 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. Softball: Jenna Core set a school record with her 17th career home run in Division 2 No. 5 Spring Lake’s win over Sparta – Local Sports Journal

2. Baseball: Holland Christian coach Jim Caserta earned his 399th and 400th career wins with his Division 2 No. 2-ranked team’s sweep of Hamilton – Holland Sentinel

3. Track & Field: The reigning Upper Peninsula Division 1 champion Marquette girls and boys started their seasons with quad meet wins over Negaunee, Escanaba and Menominee – Escanaba Daily Press

4. Baseball: Division 1 No. 16 Canton won a rematch of last season’s Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship game, downing No. 17 Brighton 9-8 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

5. Girls Soccer: Kelsey Adams scored her first high school goal with 1:16 to play to lift Division 1 No. 5 Brighton past Hartland 1-0 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

6. Softball: Division 3 honorable mention Sanford Meridian scored 24 runs over two wins against Midland Dow – Midland Daily News

7. Baseball: Division 2 No. 20 Sturgis earned a pair of wins over Three Rivers – Sturgis Journal

8. Baseball: After Benzie Central won the opener by a run, Division 4 No. 20 Onekama came back to win the second game by two – Manistee News Advocate

9. Girls Soccer: Lake Orion scored on a late penalty kick to get past Birmingham Groves 1-0 – Oakland Press

10. Hockey: Sault Ste. Marie coach John Ferroni has resigned after seven seasons with a 132-57-9 record and after leading the Blue Devils to Division 3 runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2014 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News