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: 10/14/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 14, 2026

1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 1 No. 5 South Lyon East swept honorable mention Milford to claim the Lakes Valley Conference Valley championship – Oakland Press

2. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 1 No. 3 Clarkston defeated Lake Orion in four sets to clinch the Oakland Activities Association Red title – Oakland Press 

3. CROSS COUNTRY The Lake City girls – No. 9 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – and Roscommon boys in the Highland Conference and Remus Chippewa Hills girls and Reed City boys in the Central State Activities Association Red all finished league title runs – Cadillac News

4. CROSS COUNTRY – The Freeland girls and LPD2 No. 7 Alma boys clinched Tri-Valley Conference Red titles – Saginaw News

5. CROSS COUNTRY Ithaca finished a sweep of TVC Blue titles; Ithaca’s girls are No. 10 in LPD3 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

6. CROSS COUNTRY Traverse City St. Francis swept team and individual championships at the Kingsley Invitational; the St. Francis girls are No. 2 in LPD3 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

7. BOYS SOCCER Warren Mott opened Division 1 District play with a shutout of Roseville – Macomb Daily

8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Traverse City Central remains undefeated in the Big North Conference after a sweep of Traverse City West – Up North Live

9. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Reed City handed CSAA Red leader Big Rapids its first league defeat – Big Rapids Pioneer

10. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 3 honorable mention Calumet swept Negaunee – Upper Michigan’s Source