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: 5/7/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 7, 2026
1. GIRLS TENNIS East Lansing – No. 5 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – clinched a second-straight Capital Area Activities Conference Blue championship – Lansing State Journal
2. TRACK & FIELD Frankenmuth swept girls and boys championship meets in the Tri-Valley Conference Red; the Eagles boys are top-ranked in LPD2 – Saginaw News
3. TRACK & FIELD The LPD3 No. 3 Benzie Central girls and Maple City Glen Lake boys claimed Northwest Conference titles – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. BOYS LACROSSE Hartland clinched the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title with a 14-6 victory over Brighton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
5. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 10 Otsego is alone atop the Wolverine Conference thanks to a 2-1 win over No. 12 Plainwell – Kalamazoo Gazette
6. GIRLS SOCCER Richmond advanced to the Blue Water Area Conference Tournament championship match with a 2-0 win over Armada – Macomb Daily
7. SOFTBALL Midland Dow got past Division 2 honorable mention Essexville Garber 6-5 on a walk-off homer – Midland Daily News
8. GIRLS SOCCER Milan downed Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 4-0 – Monroe News
9. GIRLS SOCCER Midland shut out Flint Powers Catholic 3-0 – WNEM
10. BASEBALL Kingsford downed Gladstone 11-1, adding to last week’s win in the series – Upper Michigan’s Source