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: 4/30/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 30, 2026

1. BOYS GOLF Cruz Beckstrom repeated as Greater Muskegon Athletic Association medalist in leading Muskegon Mona Shores – No. 5 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – to a seventh-straight team win – Local Sports Journal

2. BOYS GOLF Traverse City Central carded a 285 to win the Cadillac Invitational – Cadillac News

3. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 3 Bay City Western moved past Midland into first in the Saginaw Valley League North with a sweep of the Chemics – Midland Daily News

4. GIRLS SOCCER Kayla Rousseau scored all three goals in Flushing’s 3-0 win over Holly – Flint Journal

5. BOYS LACROSSE Traverse City Central avenged an earlier loss to rival West with a 9-8 overtime victory – Up North Live

6. SOFTBALL Lily Vidra drove in a combined 10 runs during Temperance Bedford’s sweep of Ida – Monroe News

7. TRACK & FIELD The Saginaw Swan Valley girls and LPD2 No. 10 Alma boys won twice at Tri-Valley Conference Red three-team meets – Saginaw News

8. BOYS GOLF Onekama won the Northwest Conference event and three golfers tied for first individually – Traverse City Record-Eagle

9. SOFTBALL Ypsilanti Lincoln had 19 hits in a big win over Ann Arbor Pioneer – Ann Arbor News

10. BASEBALL Stevensville Lakeshore swept Portage Central 6-1, 8-4 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium