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: 1/17/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 17, 2025

1. BOYS BASKETBALL KJ Torbert reached 1,000 career points and East Lansing downed Okemos 78-67 in double overtime – Lansing State Journal

2. GIRLS BASKETBALL Jordyn Egger reached 1,000 career points in Mount Pleasant’s big win over Bay City Central – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

3. BOYS BASKETBALL Daniel Jacobson also celebrated 1,000 career points with 24 in Gaylord St. Mary’s 53-29 win over Onaway – Petoskey News-Review

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Birmingham Groves is first in the Oakland Activities Association Red thanks to a 66-62 win over Clarkston – Detroit News

5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grass Lake sits alone in first in the Cascades Conference East after a 49-39 victory over Leslie – Jackson Citizen Patriot

6. HOCKEY Wyandotte Roosevelt downed Gibraltar Carlson 3-1 in part thanks to goalie Evan Kelly’s 47 saves – Southgate News-Herald

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Mt. Morris remained undefeated in Mid-Michigan Activities Conference play after a 44-27 win over New Lothrop – WJRT

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Halen McLaughlin drained 38 points in Sanford Meridian’s 68-41 victory over Beaverton – Midland Daily News

9. BOYS BASKETBALL Drake Koepke scored the game-winner in Bellaire’s 50-49 win over Traverse City St. Francis – Traverse City Record-Eagle

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Clarkston Everest Collegiate broke away from a halftime tie to down Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 50-32 – Oakland Press