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: 2/19/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 19, 2026
1. TEAM WRESTLING No. 13 Fruitport claimed its first Regional title in 41 years with wins over Gaylord and No. 10 Greenville in Division 2 – MuskegonSports.com
2. BOWLING The top-ranked Ravenna girls were more than 1,000 pins better than the field in their Division 4 Regional victory – Muskegon Chronicle
3. TEAM WRESTLING No. 3 Brighton downed No. 6 Grand Ledge and No. 15 Hastings to win a Division 1 Regional title – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. TEAM WRESTLING No. 2 Whitehall clinched a Division 3 Regional title with a 38-30 win over No. 5 Kent City – Local Sports Journal
5. BOWLING The No. 9 Bay City All Saints boys won their first Regional title in 13 years, and the No. 3-ranked Sandusky girls were champions as well in Division 4 – Bay City Times
6. TEAM WRESTLING No. 2 Hartland downed No. 4 Clarkston to finish a Division 1 Regional title run – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL McBain completed an outright championship in the Highland Conference with a 52-24 win over LeRoy Pine River – Cadillac News
8. TEAM WRESTLING Top-ranked Hudson defeated No. 7 Springport and Hanover-Horton in a Division 4 Regional – Adrian Daily Telegram
9. TEAM WRESTLING No. 11 Freeland claimed a Division 2 Regional title with a 36-27 win over No. 12 Bay City John Glenn – Saginaw News
10. TEAM WRESTLING No. 3 Clinton claimed a Division 4 Regional title with wins over No. 10 Manchester and Clarkston Everest Collegiate – Adrian Daily Telegram
Also of note …
BOYS BASKETBALL Evincio LaCount scored his 1,000th career point during Ellsworth’s 56-41 win over Mesick – Traverse City Record-Eagle
GIRLS BASKETABLL Madie Folkema set a school single-season scoring record for Muskegon Western Michigan Christian during its 59-40 win over Montague – Local Sports Journal