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: 12/18/17

December 18, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

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

Today's Top 10 

1. Hockey: Division 1 No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central came out on top in a matchup of arguably the best teams in Michigan, downing top-ranked Brighton 3-0 in the MIHL-KLAA Challenge – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

2. Hockey: Division 3 No. 7 Houghton added a big win over a larger downstate opponent, 4-1 over Division 1 No. 7 Utica Eisenhower – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

3. Hockey: Division 2 No. 5 Birmingham Brother Rice continued its hot streak against Hartland, downing the No. 2-ranked Eagles 4-1 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

4. Boys Basketball: Clutch 3-point shooting by a pair of sophomores helped Saginaw get past rival Arthur Hill 69-61 – Saginaw News

5. Cheer: Hudson rose to the top of a strong field of Division 4 teams at the Onsted Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram

6. Wrestling: Division 1 No. 5 Westland John Glenn won the Wayne County Championships by 24.5 points ahead of runner-up Brownstown Woodhaven – Southgate News Herald

7. Wrestling: Division 1 No. 7 Oxford claimed a second straight Oakland County championship, ahead of runner-up Clarkston – Oakland Press

8. Wrestling: Niles made a major statement at the Henry Wilk Classic at Mishawaka Penn in Indiana, defeating the host for what was believed to be the first time in half a century – South Bend Tribune

9. Wrestling: Division 2 top-ranked Lowell nearly doubled up the field at the Kent County Championships, with Byron Center second – Grand Rapids Press

10. Wrestling: Essexville Garber won its second straight Bay County championship by downing Pinconning in the final match – Bay City Times

Also of note …

Boys Basketball: Detroit Henry Ford Academy’s Trevion Williams put up an incredible stat line Friday, with 22 points, 36 rebounds, six assists and six steals in a win over Detroit University Prep Science & Math – Detroit Free Press

Boys Swimming & Diving: From Tuesday, Midland Dow (No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 2) won its Dan Pangborn Invitational ahead of No. 4 Grosse Pointe South and top-ranked Dexter in a meet using a format that emphasized depth – Midland Daily News