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: 10/31/17

October 31, 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. Volleyball: Class B honorable mention Cadillac won three sets decided by three points or fewer to get past No. 5 Kingsley 3-1 in a District opener – Cadillac News

2. Volleyball: Class B honorable mention Fruitport swept No. 8 Spring Lake to move on in their District – Grand Haven Tribune

3. Volleyball: West Michigan Conference champion Whitehall needed five sets but downed rival Montague in Class B – Local Sports Journal

4. Volleyball: Muskegon Mona Shores and Grand Rapids Northview alternated wins Monday before the Sailors finished a five-set win in Class A – Local Sports Journal

5. Volleyball: Warren Regina took a 2-0 lead but then needed a fifth to get past Sterling Heights in Class A – Macomb Daily 

6. Volleyball: Less than a month after sweeping Wyandotte Roosevelt, Brownstown Woodhaven dropped the first set of their Class A District match before coming back to win in five – Southgate News Herald

7. Volleyball: Boyne City moved into Class B this school year and downed Gladstone 3-1 in its first District match at the new level – Petoskey News-Review 

8. Volleyball: Sault Ste. Marie, fresh off a league title win Saturday, came back after losing the first set Monday to Kingsford to win 3-1 in Class B – Iron Mountain Daily News

9. Volleyball: Battle Creek Lakeview opened District play with a sweep of Battle Creek Harper Creek, which moved into Class A this school year – Battle Creek Enquirer

10. Volleyball: Cheboygan also opened its District match with a loss but came back to take the next three over Escanaba in Class B – Escanaba Daily Press