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: 5/4/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 4, 2026
1. SOFTBALL Division 3 top-ranked Ravenna shut out Division 1 honorable mention Muskegon Reeths-Puffer to clinch the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association title – Muskegon Chronicle
2. BASEBALL Muskegon Mona Shores downed 2025 champion Fruitport in extra innings to clinch the GMAA championship – Local Sports Journal
3. TRACK & FIELD The Muskegon Mona Shores girls and boys teams swept GMAA titles, the boys winning their first since 2013 and the girls their third straight – Local Sports Journal Girls | Boys
4. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 3 Carleton Airport and Division 1 top-ranked Saline split, Saline winning the first game in extra innings and Airport the second with a shutout – Monroe News
5. BOYS GOLF Warren De La Salle Collegiate – No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – carded a 304 to finish a stroke ahead of Grosse Pointe South at the McIntyre Invitational – Macomb Daily
6. GIRLS TENNIS Sturgis won the Portland Invitational defeating the Raiders, Williamston and Ludington – Sturgis Journal
7. TRACK & FIELD LeRoy Pine River’s girls and boys swept their All Sports Day Invitational meets – Cadillac News
8. BASEBALL Remus Chippewa Hills swept Gladwin as coach Ben Wright earned his 400th coaching victory – Big Rapids Pioneer
9. SOFTBALL Division 4 No. 5 Beal City edged Sanford Meridian 3-2 to clinch the title at Meridian’s tournament – Midland Daily News
10. SOFTBALL Alpena downed Garden City in the final to claim its Wildcats Tournament championship – Alpena News