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: 9/29/15

September 29, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The tennis and golf regular seasons will soon come to a close – and that means Michigan’s best are facing off to decide league titles with MHSAA tournaments beginning next week.

Girls Golf

Brighton continued to post incredible scores Monday, shooting 316 to win the Huron Valley Invitational led by Julia Dean at 69 – Livingston Daily

Unranked Saline won the Southeastern Conference Invitational ahead of Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 8 Ann Arbor Pioneer, with Samantha Kellstrom’s 72 keying a 329 team score – AnnArbor.com

Boys Soccer

LP Division 1 No. 3 Utica Eisenhower came back from a weekend loss to beat No. 12 Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 2-0 in a Macomb Area Conference Red match – Macomb Daily

Boys Tennis

Ludington, No. 6 in LP Division 4, downed No. 5 Whitehall in a matchup of Coastal Conference powers – Muskegon Chronicle

Good Reads

Battle Creek Harper Creek and Pennfield combined results from cross country and football to determine the winner of a new traveling trophy – and Harper Creek took the honor first, winning both cross country meets Friday and then the football game as well – Battle Creek Enquirer

Mark Novak plans on coaching the Sanford Meridian varsity baseball team this spring, like he has the last nine seasons. But his community is cheering him on this week as well, as he’s scheduled for surgery Thursday to assist with treatment of congestive heart failure – Midland Daily News