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: 9/4/15

September 4, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The combination of early football and thunderous storms made for a light schedule of other sports Thursday. But here are some of the notable headlines we unearthed – and remember to check back Monday for a full recap of football's Week 2.

Cross Country

The Croswell-Lexington girls won their second invitational, this time at Port Huron and led again by now two-time individual champ Rachel Bonner, while the boys team also was victorious – Port Huron Times-Herald

The Rochester Adams girls and boys teams swept the Cicciarelli Invitational – but the jewel of this report is the story of how Brighton runner Chip Osborne quit his race while running third to assist another runner who had collapsed because of dehydration – Oakland Press

Boys Soccer

From Wednesday, Midland Bullock Creek ended a two-year winless streak by beating Pinconning 2-0 – Midland Daily News

Boys Tennis

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central is the reigning Lower Peninsula Division 2 champion and Portage Central tied for third last season, but Portage Central won their match 6-2 on Thursday – Grand Rapids Press

Good Read

A pair of Livingston County communities are mourning the death of longtime coach Lee Smith, who died Thursday at 80 but coached at Hartland and then Brighton until he was 76 – Livingston Daily