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: 4/24/18

April 24, 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. Girls Lacrosse: Rockford edged East Grand Rapids 15-10 in a matchup of top-ranked teams, the Rams in Division 1 and the Pioneers in Division 2 – FOX 17

2. Baseball: Division 1 No. 13 Bay City Western swept No. 8 Midland 1-0 and 9-3 – Midland Daily News

3. Girls Soccer: Division 4 No. 5 Elk Rapids opened the season with a win, 2-0 over No. 17 Harbor Springs – MI Sports Now

4. Girls Soccer: Rivals Kalamazoo Hackett and Kalamazoo Christian tied 1-1; Christian is No. 2 in Division 4 and Hackett is No. 14 – JoeInsider.com

5. Girls Soccer: West Bloomfield downed previously undefeated and Division 3 No. 7 Clawson 5-1 – Oakland Press

6. Baseball: Jake Riggs threw a five-inning perfect game as Brethren downed Mesick 11-0 – Manistee News Advocate

7. Softball: Muskegon Western Michigan Christian/Muskegon Catholic Central split a doubleheader with Grant, WMCC getting a five-inning no-hitter from Maria Sanocki in winning the first game – Grand Haven Tribune

8. Boys Golf: Flint Powers Catholic, No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, shot a 311 to win the Wayne Wire Tournament in Royal Oak – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

9. Softball: Paige Kolinski hit her fourth home run of the season as Utica Eisenhower downed Utica 11-5 – Macomb Daily

10. Baseball: Whitehall and Muskegon Oakridge split a pair of close games both decided by a run – Muskegon Chronicle