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: 4/23/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 23, 2026
1. BOYS LACROSSE Walled Lake United defeated South Lyon Unified 9-2, handing the latter just its second Lakes Valley Conference loss in 60 games – Oakland Press
2. TRACK & FIELD Frankfort high jumper Kade MacDonald and the Buckley girls 800 relay set school records in Northwest Conference competition – Traverse City Record-Eagle
3. GIRLS SOCCER Midland Dow downed Division 1 No. 14 Midland 2-1 as Aubree Bills scored both Chargers goals over five minutes – Midland Daily News
4. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 5 Brownstown Woodhaven rallied for a 5-2 win over Trenton – Southgate News-Herald
5. BOYS GOLF Freeland won the Tri-Valley Conference Red jamboree at Bay Valley with a 317, led by Tristan Pohl’s 72 – Saginaw News
6. SOFTBALL Allison Ulanowski didn’t allow a hit over eight innings and two games in Howell’s sweep of Novi – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
7. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 16 Romeo improved to 12-3 with a big win over Utica Eisenhower – Macomb Daily
8. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 7 Lansing Catholic swept DeWitt with a pair of shutouts – Lansing State Journal
9. TRACK & FIELD The Niles Brandywine girls and Dowagiac boys were victorious in Lakeland Conference competition – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
10. BASEBALL Norway swept Eben Junction Superior Central – My UP Now