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: 2/12/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 12, 2026

1. COMPETITIVE CHEER Division 1 No. 1 Allen Park repeated as Downriver League champion, with No. 2-ranked Gibraltar Carlson second – Southgate News-Herald

2. BOYS WRESTLING No. 3 Yale claimed a Division 3 District title with wins over Imlay City and No. 12 Armada – Port Huron Times Herald

3. BOYS WRESTLING No. 14 Fowlerville avenged a regular-season loss to Williamston to clinch its fourth-straight Division 2 District title – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

4. BOYS WRESTLING Zeeland East repeated as a Division 2 District champion with wins over Hamilton and Holland – Holland Sentinel

5. BOYS WRESTLING No. 14 Romeo ran its Division 1 District title streak to six with wins over Utica and Utica Eisenhower – Macomb Daily

6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Tecumseh downed Chelsea 58-25 as Chloe Bullinger set the school record for career assists – Adrian Daily Telegram

7. ICE HOCKEY Ayden Cook reached 200 career points during Division 2 top-ranked Flint Powers Catholic’s 7-1 win over Chelsea – Flint Journal

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Frankfort defeated Maple City Glen Lake 46-37, giving coach Tim Reznich 400 victories – Benzie Record Patriot

9. BOYS WRESTLING Shepherd defeated Alma and Remus Chippewa Hills in Division 3 to win its first District title since 2020 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

10. BOYS WRESTLING Petoskey repeated as a Division 2 District champion with wins over Sault Ste. Marie and Escanaba – Petoskey News-Review

Also of note …

BOYS SOCCER Holland Christian coach Dave DeBoer stepped down with a 197-42-30 record and having led the team to the Division 3 championship in 2022 – Holland Sentinel