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: 2/6/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 6, 2025

1. WRESTLING Union City downed No. 9 Bronson 46-28 to clinch a Division 4 District title and end Bronson’s District run at 26 – Coldwater Daily Reporter

2. COMPETITIVE CHEER Division 2 No. 2 Allen Park and top-ranked Gibraltar Carlson continued their rivalry with Allen Park emerging this time as Downriver League champion – Southgate News-Herald

3. WRESTLING Gaylord avenged a regular-season loss by downing No. 5 Cadillac 44-31 on the way to winning a Division 2 District title with a 53-19 victory over Bay City Western – Petoskey News-Review

4. WRESTLING No. 9 Fowlerville finished its Division 2 District championship run with four straight pins in getting past No. 3 Mason 36-34 – Lansing State Journal

5. WRESTLING St. Joseph avenged a regular-season dual loss by edging Stevensville Lakeshore 31-30 in a Division 2 District Final – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

6. COMPETITIVE CHEER Carleton Airport clinched the Huron League title just ahead of Grosse Ile – Southgate News-Herald

7. WRESTLING No. 10 New Boston Huron edged Airport by two points and Carlson by five to win a Division 2 District title – Monroe News

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Pewamo-Westphalia remained undefeated with a 59-53 win over Fowler – Lansing State Journal

9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Manton moved into a tie for first in the Highland Conference with a 55-39 win over co-leader Evart – Up North Live

10. WRESTLING Warren Woods Tower clinched a Division 2 District title with wins over St. Clair Shores Lake Shore and Warren De La Salle Collegiate – Macomb Daily