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: 10/27/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 27, 2025

1. FIELD HOCKEY Ann Arbor Pioneer claimed the inaugural MHSAA Finals championship with a 2-0 win over Dexter – MHSAA.com

2. BOYS TENNIS Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood edged Detroit Country Day for the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals title, joining Troy, Birmingham Seaholm and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett as this season’s winners – MHSAA.com

3. CROSS COUNTRY The No. 7-ranked Cadillac girls claimed their first Regional title in this sport, winning in LPD2 – Cadillac News

4. CROSS COUNTRY The No. 8 Pinckney girls and No. 11 Fenton boys won LPD2 Regional championships, Fenton ending Pinckney’s five-year boys title run – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

5. CROSS COUNTRY Romeo’s No. 3-ranked girls and boys teams swept LPD1 Regional titles – Macomb Daily Girls | Boys

6. CROSS COUNTRY Gaylord’s Kate Berkshire won her third Regional championship, in Division 2 – Petoskey News-Review

7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Fremont defeated Ludington in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Tournament championship match to split the overall league title with the Orioles – Ludington Daily News

8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 9 Edwardsburg finished a perfect run through the Wolverine Conference with a sweep of Niles – Niles Daily Star

9. CROSS COUNTRY The No. 10 Traverse City St. Francis girls and No. 3 Charlevoix boys claimed LPD3 Regional titles – Traverse City Record-Eagle

10. CROSS COUNTRY Six Saginaw-area runners won Regional individual championships – Saginaw News