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: 1/7/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 7, 2026
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Lillie Johnson broke the Gladstone career scoring record in her team’s 51-30 win over Ishpeming Westwood – Upper Michigan’s Source
2. GIRLS BOWLING Flint Kearsley – the Division 2 champion in 2024 – edged reigning title winner Swartz Creek in a roll-off – Flint Journal
3. BOYS BASKETBALL Joe Gaffney reached 1,000 career points in Charlevoix’s 47-31 loss to Kingsley – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. BOYS BASKETBALL Zaiden Phillips reached 1,000 career points in Grant’s 74-35 win over Montague – Muskegon Chronicle
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids South Christian downed West Catholic 73-62 in a matchup of top Division 2 teams statewide – WOOD TV
6. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Holland West Ottawa – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – edged LPD3 No. 3 Holland Christian 98-88 – Holland Sentinel
7. ICE HOCKEY Division 1 No. 4 Utica Eisenhower came back from an early deficit to defeat Division 2 No. 10 St. Clair Shores Unified 5-2 – Macomb Daily
8. BOYS BASKETBALL Auburn Hills Avondale took a major step in the Oakland Activities Association Red with a 59-46 win over North Farmington – Oakland Press
9. BOYS BASKETBALL Lansing Sexton made a significant move in the Capital Area Activities Conference White with a 75-48 victory over Charlotte – Lansing State Journal
10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Cadillac earned a key Big North Conference win, 48-43 over Petoskey – Cadillac News