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: 1/8/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 8, 2026
1. ICE HOCKEY Division 3 No. 2 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood won a rematch of last season’s Final, 3-0 over top-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – Oakland Press
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Grady Eklund became Pewamo-Westphalia’s all-time leading scorer during the Pirates’ 61-38 victory over Fowler – Lansing State Journal
3. ICE HOCKEY Division 1 No. 6 Brighton came back from three goals down to defeat Ohio top-ranked Toledo St. Francis 5-4 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Orchard Lake St. Mary’s handed Warren Regina its first defeat, 47-43 – Oakland Press
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL McBain remained undefeated and atop the Highland Conference in handing Evart its first loss, 56-32 – Cadillac News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Kaitlyn Therrian set a school record for 3-pointers in South Lyon’s 75-61 win over Macomb Dakota – Hometown Life
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids Covenant Christian remained undefeated with a 55-52 win over Big Rapids – Big Rapids Pioneer
8. SKIING The Maple City Glen Lake girls and Caledonia boys won Lake Michigan Ski Conference races – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Corunna came back to defeat Imlay City 54-50 – Flint Journal
10. ICE HOCKEY Caleb Pider scored four goals in Midland Dow’s 5-2 win over Bay City – Midland Daily News
Also of note …
FOOTBALL Dexter coach Phil Jacobs has stepped down after leading the Dreadnaughts to Ford Field for the first time – Ann Arbor News