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: 2/24/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 24, 2026
1. GIRLS SKIING Pontiac Notre Dame Prep’s Maren Studt won both slalom and giant slalom for the second-straight season, and Detroit Country Day won its first team championship at the Division 2 Finals – MHSAA.com
2. GIRLS SKIING Marquette held on for its first Finals championship since 2020, winning in Division 1 – MHSAA.com
3. BOYS SKIING Marquette had top players in both individual events and Traverse City West clinched the team title – MHSAA.com
4. BOYS SKIING After one season away, Petoskey is back as champion in Division 2 – MHSAA.com
5. BOYS BASKETBALL Brayden Wright scored 41 points, including the 1,000th of his career, as Reading opened its Division 4 District with a 65-53 victory over Hillsdale Will Carleton Academy – Hillsdale Daily News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Pewamo-Westphalia edged Grand Rapids Catholic Central 55-53 in a matchup of 18-win teams that also saw P-W’s Elly Bengel score her 1,000th point – WOOD TV
7. BOYS BASKETBALL Karter Fegan scored his 1,000th career point and Standish-Sterling hung on for a 57-56 win over Midland Bullock Creek in a Division 2 District opener – Bay City Times
8. BOYS BASKETBALL Ryan Opsommer’s 3-pointer during the closing seconds of overtime gave Muskegon Mona Shores a 61-60 District-opening win over Reeths-Puffer in Division 1 – Local Sports Journal
9. BOYS BASKETBALL Gavin Taylor’s last-second basket gave Coldwater a 55-53 win over Richland Gull Lake in Division 1 – WTVB
10. BOYS BASKETBALL Otisville-LakeVille Memorial earned its first MHSAA Tournament win since 2011, downing Genesee 53-35 in Division 3 – Flint Journal