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: 9/18/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 18, 2026

1. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 2 Warren De La Salle Collegiate edged Division 1 No. 13 Detroit Catholic Central 2-1 – Macomb Daily

2. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Lizzie Risdon reached 1,000 career kills in Division 1 honorable mention Zeeland East’s sweep of Division 2 honorable mention Holland Christian – Holland Sentinel

3. BOYS SOCCER Grand Haven scored four-second half goals in a 5-1 win over Grandville – Grand Haven Tribune

4. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL After seeing a 2-0 lead evaporate, Midland Dow hung on for a five-set win over Mount Pleasant – Midland Daily News

5. CROSS COUNTRY Okemos swept Chesaning Invitational championships – Saginaw News

6. BOYS SOCCER Tyler Standfest had six points in Division 3 No. 4 Elk Rapids’ win over Kalkaska – Traverse City Record-Eagle

7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Midland twice came back down a set to defeat Bay City Western in five – Midland Daily News

8. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 top-ranked St. Joseph downed Battle Creek Lakeview 4-2 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

9. BOYS SOCCER Saline edged Temperance Bedford 1-0 – Saline Post

10. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL LeRoy Pine River swept Shelby and Kalkaska – Cadillac News