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: 8/20/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 20, 2026
1. GIRLS GOLF Brighton won its sixth Lober McManus Classic title over the last seven seasons – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Host East Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central were victorious during the Rally on Reeds – WZZM
3. GIRLS VOLLEBALL Division 1 No. 5 Grand Haven finished 5-0 at Livonia Stevenson, including with a win over honorable mention Brighton – Grand Haven Tribune
4. BOYS TENNIS Edwardsburg claimed the Niles Viking Invitational championship – Niles Daily Star
5. BOYS SOCCER Birmingham Seaholm again claimed the Ketih Bernacki Memorial Cup with a 2-0 shutout of Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice – Oakland Press
6. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL West Iron County opened with a victory over Escanaba – Upper Michigan’s Source
7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Manton opened with a sweep of Mason County Central and Kalkaska – Cadillac News
8. BOYS SOCCER New Boston Huron rolled to a 5-1 opening-day victory over Gibraltar Carlson – Southgate News-Herald
9. BOYS SOCCER Kalkaska opened with a shutout of Reed City – Big Rapids Pioneer
10. BOYS SOCCER Temperance Bedford and Monroe opened with a 1-1 draw – Monroe News