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: 10/14/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 14, 2025

1. BOYS SOCCER Honorable mention Freeland downed No. 10 Saginaw Swan Valley in a shootout to advance in Division 3 – Saginaw News

2. BOYS SOCCER No. 7 Troy scored all of its goals over the final 14 minutes to defeat No. 15 Royal Oak 4-0 in Division 1 – Oakland Press

3. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 honorable mention East Grand Rapids downed Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 3-0 in a Division 2 District matchup – WOOD TV

4. BOYS SOCCER Asher Clark became Bay City John Glenn’s all-time leading scorer with five more in a 6-0 win over North Branch in Division 2 – Bay City Times

5. BOYS SOCCER No. 11 DeWitt defeated Haslett 5-1 and honorable mention Lansing Eastern downed Sexton 6-1 in semifinals of their Division 2 bracket – WLNS

6. BOYS SOCCER Sterling Heights Stevenson defeated Warren Cousino 4-2 in a Division 1 District Semifinal – Macomb Daily

7. BOYS SOCCER Imlay City downed Richmond 4-2 in a Division 3 District Semifinal – Macomb Daily

8. BOYS SOCCER Grass Lake advanced in Division 3 with a shootout win over Michigan Center – Jackson Citizen Patriot

9. BOYS SOCCER Jackson Lumen Christi scored first, but honorable mention Hillsdale Academy finished their Division 4 District game with a 5-2 win – Jackson Citizen Patriot

10. BOYS SOCCER Maple City Glen Lake defeated McBain Northern Michigan Christian 3-2 and No. 10 Leland downed Suttons Bay 4-1 in Division 4 District Semifinals – Traverse City Record-Eagle