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: 8/25/17

August 25, 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. Head Safety: This report from State Champs! was produced earlier this month and continues to re-air, providing a thorough report on what’s being done to prevent head injuries in Michigan high school athletics.

2. Boys Tennis: Battle Creek Lakeview and No. 1 singles player Jai Banerji both repeated as Battle Creek All-City champions; Lakeview won seven flights – Battle Creek Enquirer

3. Volleyball: Midland won every set it played Thursday against a solid field in claiming the Cadillac Invitational title, downing the host in the final – Midland Daily News

4. Coaching: Traverse City West athletic director Jason Carmien, formerly a soccer coach, writes about how he’ll always be a coach at heart and why others should give it a try – Traverse City Record-Eagle

5. Girls Golf: Lake Orion shot a 328 to win the Troy Invitational, nine strokes better than runner-up Midland Dow – Midland Daily News

6. Girls Golf: Saline broke its nine-hole school record with a 149, thanks in part to a hole-in-one by Sydney Page – Saline Post

7. Volleyball: Pittsford, after graduating all-stater Maddie Clark this spring, took a nice step Thursday with wins over Hillsdale and Michigan Center – Hillsdale Daily News

8. Volleyball: Sault Ste. Marie won a key Great Northern Conference match, sweeping Marquette – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

9. Boys Soccer: Port Huron Northern opened its season with an impressive tie with Marysville, which moved to 5-1-1 – Port Huron Times-Herald

10. Boys Soccer: Spring Lake earned its first win this season, downing rival Fruitport 3-1 – Grand Haven Tribune