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: 5/1/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 1, 2026
1. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 11 Hartland defeated No. 12 Salem 2-0 to clinch a shared Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title with Northville – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 20 Mason and Division 2 No. 5 Williamston split a doubleheader, Mason winning 5-2 and Williamston claiming the second game 1-0 – WLNS
3. GIRLS TENNIS Midland Dow – No. 9 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – defeated Midland 7-1, delivering the Chemics their first loss – Midland Daily News
4. GIRLS SOCCER Milford remains in first place in the Lakes Valley Conference thanks to a 1-0 win over South Lyon East – Oakland Press
5. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 11 Okemos downed Grand Ledge 14-4 and 6-5 – Lansing State Journal
6. GIRLS SOCCER Gaylord solidified its Big North Conference lead with a 3-1 win over Petoskey – Petoskey News-Review
7. BOYS GOLF LPD3 No. 8 Essexville Garber carded a 309 to win the 20-team Falcon Invitational – Bay City Times
8. GIRLS SOCCER Division 3 No. 9 Traverse City St. Francis came back to defeat Maple City Glen Lake 2-1 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. BOYS LACROSSE Recently-crowned Southwest Michigan Lacrosse Conference champion Mattawan downed Battle Creek Pennfield – WWMT
10. SOFTBALL Macomb L’Anse Creuse North earned a key victory over Sterling Heights Stevenson – Macomb Daily