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: 4/19/16

April 19, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

An early-season meeting of the top-ranked girls tennis teams in Lower Peninsula Division 2 highlighted headlines from Monday’s statewide spring sports action.

Baseball

Utica Eisenhower won its first game over Macomb Dakota in the last 12 tries, downing the Cougars 9-8 – Macomb Daily

Boys Golf

Utica Ford won the Evans-Gill Invitational with a 317, 16 strokes better than runner-up Macomb Dakota – Macomb Daily

Girls Soccer

From Saturday, Brighton moved to 5-0 this season with a 1-0 win over reigning Division 1 champion Saline – Livingston Daily

Softball

Haile Neal’s first hit of Monday night’s game against Taylor Kennedy was a walk-off home run as Brownstown Woodhaven won 3-2 – Detroit News

Girls Tennis

Division 2 top-ranked Bloomfield Hills Marian downed No. 2 Birmingham Seaholm 6-2 in a matchup of likely June favorites – Oakland Press

Good Read

Natalya Cavasos gained powerful perspective on education while stationed in Afghanistan for the Michigan National Guard, and she’s transferring those lessons as coach of the first-year Michigan Center girls soccer team – Jackson Citizen-Patriot