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: 2/10/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 10, 2025

1. BOYS WRESTLING Division 1 No. 2 Brighton and Division 2 No. 9 Fowlerville were among the most successful teams at Individual Boys Districts statewide, both qualifying 13 wrestlers for Regionals – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

2. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Fraser’s Hunter Lemmon set multiple Macomb County Championship meet records, and St. Clair Shores Lakeview repeated as team champion – Macomb Daily

3. GIRLS WRESTLING A pair of reigning Finals champions were among 10 District winners from the Grand Rapids area at Girls Wrestling Districts – Grand Rapids Press

4. GIRLS WRESTLING LeRoy Pine River advanced four wrestlers to Regionals from an inaugural Girls Wrestling District – Cadillac News

5. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Detroit Catholic Central – No. 3 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – followed a pair of multi-event winners to the Oakland County Championships title – Oakland Press

6. BOYS BASKETBALL Graham Junge became Flat Rock’s all-time leading scorer during a 59-40 win over Grosse Ile – Monroe News

7. BOYS WRESTLING Macomb County sent 107 wrestlers to Individual Regionals – Macomb Daily

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Grady Harless reached 1,000 career points in Bear Lake’s big win over Walkerville – Traverse City Record-Eagle

9. BOYS BASKETBALL Dalton Williams reached 1,000 career points in Colon’s 61-55 win over Climax-Scotts – Sturgis Journal

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Avery Clous reached 1,000 career rebounds in Otisville LakeVille Memorial’s game against New Lothrop – Flint Journal