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: 8/31/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 31, 2026
1. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 top-ranked Warren De La Salle Collegiate downed Division 1 No. 9 Detroit Catholic Central 3-0 to gain coach Thaier Mukhtar his 900th victory – Macomb Daily
2. CROSS COUNTRY The Marquette girls and Shepherd boys won Marquette’s Dale Phillips-Queen City Invitational championships – Marquette Mining Journal
3. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Traverse City placed the winner in every event in taking first as a team at the Ludington Relays – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 1 honorable mention Midland Dow defeated Sault Ste. Marie, Okemos, Freeland, Birch Run and Division 3 No. 2 Roscommon to win its Charger/Chemic Challenge co-hosted with Midland High – Midland Daily News
5. CROSS COUNTRY Grand Rapids South Christian’s Under the Lights Invitational awarded five girls and five boys varsity team champions – Athletic.net
6. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 7 Frankenmuth defeated Goodrich, and Grand Blanc and Division 1 No. 10 Troy Athens tied at the Vehicle City Soccer Classic – WNEM
7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Portage Northern defeated Vicksburg 3-2 in a match played outdoors in the latter’s stadium – WWMT
8. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 7 Fruitport improved to 5-0-1 with a 1-0 win over Allendale – MuskegonSports.com