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: 10/17/25
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 17, 2025
1. BOYS SOCCER No. 2 Detroit Country Day downed top-ranked Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 3-2 in overtime to win a Division 3 District title – Oakland Press
2. BOYS SOCCER No. 3 North Muskegon got past No. 2 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 4-3 in overtime of their District final – WZZM
3. BOYS SOCCER Honorable mention Holland West Ottawa claimed its first District title since 2010 with a 2-0 win over No. 3 Grand Haven in Division 1 – Holland Sentinel
4. BOYS SOCCER No. 11 Detroit Catholic Central claimed a fourth-straight Division 1 District title with a 1-0 win over No. 9 Livonia Stevenson – Hometown Life
5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 4 Bloomfield Hills clinched a share of the Oakland Activities Association Red title with a four-set victory over honorable mention Clarkston – Oakland Press
6. BOYS SOCCER No. 4 Warren De La Salle Collegiate clinched a ninth-straight District title with a 4-1 win over Marysville in Division 2 – Macomb Daily
7. CROSS COUNTRY Ann Arbor Pioneer swept girls and boys Southeastern Conference Red championships; both are ranked No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – Ann Arbor News Girls | Boys
8. CROSS COUNTRY The Brownstown Woodhaven girls ran their Downriver League championship streak to three, and the Woodhaven boys clinched their second straight – Southgate News-Herald
9. BOYS SOCCER No. 7 Fruitport edged Allendale in a shootout win to clinch a Division 2 District title – Grand Haven Tribune
10. BOYS SOCCER Honorable mention Clinton secured a Division 4 District title with a 4-0 win over Adrian Lenawee Christian – Adrian Daily Telegram