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: 1/12/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 12, 2026
1. BOYS BASKETBALL East Lansing followed KJ Torbert to an 80-71 win over Rockford in a matchup of the two top-ranked teams in Division 1 at the GottaGetIt Classic in East Kentwood – Lansing State Journal
2. BOWLING The Macomb Dakota girls and St. Clair Shores Lake Shore boys won Macomb County championships – Macomb Daily Girls | Boys
3. BOYS BASKETBALL Cam Ryans became Grand Rapids Northview’s all-time leading scorer during a 43-41 overtime win over Grand Rapids South Christian – Grand Rapids Press
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Mariah Sain reached 1,000 career points in Muskegon’s 52-37 win over Hudsonville – Muskegon Chronicle
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Addy Rhodes went over 1,000 career points in Grandville Calvin Christian’s 54-31 win over Wyoming Kelloggsville – Grand Rapids Press
6. COMPETITIVE CHEER Allen Park continued its first-place run through this season with the championship at its 20-team invitational – Southgate News-Herald
7. ICE HOCKEY Division 1 top-ranked Howell defeated Division 2 No. 8 Alpena 5-4 and No. 3 Grandville 4-2 at the Rick Deneweth Memorial Showcase in Traverse City – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Battle Creek Lakeview – an honorable mention in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – ran its All-City championship streak to 35 years – Battle Creek Enquirer
9. WRESTLING Division 4 No. 6 LeRoy Pine River finished 5-0 to win its Fallen Bucks Memorial Tournament, defeating Central Montcalm in the final – Cadillac News
10. WRESTLING Battle Creek Harper Creek repeated as All-City champion – Battle Creek Enquirer