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: 1/31/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 31, 2025

1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Clarkston Everest Collegiate defeated Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett to clinch the Catholic High School League Intersectional 1 championship – their first league title since 2013 – Oakland Press

2. WRESTLING Gio Linville’s walk-off pin gave Maomb Dakota a 38-36 win over Romeo and its fifth-straight Macomb Area Conference Red dual meet championship – Macomb Daily

3. BOYS BASKETBALL Tyler Dafoe went over 1,000 career points and undefeated Petersburg Summerfield downed Ottawa Lake Whiteford 61-47 – Monroe News

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Mason remains in the lead alone in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red after a 56-43 win over Haslett – Lansing State Journal

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Elk Rapids picked up a big win over ranked Harbor Springs, 56-39 – MI Sports Now

6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Manton won a key matchup in the Highland Conference, 56-37 over McBain – Cadillac News

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Rochester downed Pontiac 50-43 in a matchup of Oakland Activities Association Blue contenders – Oakland Press

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Gibraltar Carlson upset Downriver League leader Lincoln Park 53-47 – Southgate News-Herald

9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Vassar defeated Reese for the first time since 2011, ending a 30-game losing streak against the Rockets with a 22-20 victory – Saginaw News

10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Averie Zinn scored 49 points, but Flint Kearsley got past Genesee in overtime 79-70 – WJRT