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: 10/13/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 13, 2026
1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Fennville swept South Haven to create a shared title between the two in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Black – Fennville’s first league title in the sport since 2001 – Holland Sentinel
2. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 13 Hudsonville Unity Christian clinched the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black championship with a 1-0 win over No. 5 Holland – Holland Sentinel
3. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 4 Fruitport claimed the O-K Silver Tournament championship with a 3-0 win over Division 3 No. 4 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian – MuskegonSports.com
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 9 Traverse City West earned coach Matt Griesinger his 200th win with a shutout of Sault Ste. Marie – Traverse City Record-Eagle
5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Midland Dow defeated Division 2 No. 4 Frankenmuth, Division 3 No. 1 Saginaw Valley Lutheran and Bay City Central – Midland Daily News
6. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 2 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian edged Grand Haven 2-1 – Local Sports Journal
7. BOYS SOCCER Goodrich downed Genesee Christian 4-0 on its Senior Night – WJRT
8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Farwell held on to get past Shepherd in five sets – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
9. BOYS SOCCER Adrian finished its regular season with a 2-1 win over Brooklyn Columbia Central – Adrian Daily Telegram