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: 5/13/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 13, 2026
1. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 6 Romeo finished a run to the Macomb Area Conference Red title with a 3-1 win over 2025 MHSAA Division 1 runner-up Macomb Dakota – Macomb Daily
2. GIRLS SOCCER Clarkston downed Birmingham Groves 5-1 to clinch the Oakland Activities Association White championship – Oakland Press
3. SOFTBALL Midland High and Dow split a doubleheader, with the Chemics’ win clinching the Saginaw Valley League North title – Midland Daily News
4. TRACK & FIELD The Caro girls and Cass City boys won Big Thumb Conference White championship meets – Saginaw News
5. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Armada clinched a share of the Blue Water Area Conference title with a sweep of Imlay City – Macomb Daily
6. BASEBALL Division 2 No. 4 Mason and Williamston both earned shares of the Capital Area Activities Conference Red title with doubleheader sweeps – Lansing State Journal
7. SOFTBALL Division 2 top-ranked Paw Paw pulled within an inning of clinching the Wolverine Conference title after defeating No. 10 Three Rivers to begin a doubleheader – Kalamazoo Gazette
8. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 5 DeWitt and Mason advanced to the CAAC Gold Cup championship match – WLNS
9. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Orchard Lake St. Mary’s advanced to the Catholic High School League Bishop championship game with a 6-0 win over Warren Regina – Oakland Press
10. BOYS GOLF Leland’s Howie Kropp won the Northwest Conference 18-hole event by a stroke as his team won by six – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Also of note …
GIRLS BASKETBALL St. Ignace coach Dorene Ingalls is retiring with a 542-104 record – Up North Live