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: 10/20/16

October 20, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A few more upsets rang out across the boys soccer tournament Wednesday as a number of teams clinched appearances in District Finals.

Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.

Boys Soccer

Sterling Heights Stevenson eliminated No. 9 Utica Ford 4-3 in a Division 1 semifinal – Macomb Daily

Undefeated Midland Dow extended its unbeaten streak to 22 in moving on to a Division 1 District Final with a 3-1 win over Bay City Western – Saginaw News

Division 3 No. 10 Tawas edged No. 11 Gladwin 1-0 in a semifinal – Bay City Times

Division 3 No. 13 Lansing Catholic got past rival and No. 5 Williamston 2-1 – Lansing State Journal

The Muskegon area is loaded in Division 4, shown again as unranked Muskegon Catholic Central downed No. 4 North Muskegon 2-1 – Muskegon Chronicle

Division 2 No. 9 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook shut out No. 20 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 2-0 – Oakland Press

Volleyball

Jackson Lumen Christi downed neighbor Parma Western 3-1 in the “Kills for Kellen” game to benefit childhood cancer research and honor 9-year-old Kellen McCord, who is battling nerve cell cancer and has a cousin on the Titans – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

From Tuesday, Kingsford downed Escanaba to claim the Great Northern Conference championship – Iron Mountain Daily News

Class B No. 6 Battle Creek Harper Creek handed Coldwater a first league loss in a matchup of top Interstate 8 Athletic Conference teams – Coldwater Daily Reporter