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: 9/24/25
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 24, 2025
1. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 11 Mason downed Division 3 No. 7 Williamston 3-1 to clinch a third-straight Capital Area Activities Conference Red title – WLNS
2. GIRLS GOLF Montague – No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer’s Sophia McCollum were champions at the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament – Local Sports Journal
3. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 honorable mention Brighton broke a 17-match losing streak against honorable mention Northville with a sweep – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 4 Holland Christian came back from two sets down to defeat Division 1 honorable mention Zeeland East in five – Holland Sentinel
5. VOLLEYBALL Calumet lost the first set but won the next three to hand Division 4 honorable mention Ishpeming only its second defeat – Upper Michigan’s Source
6. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 3 Elk Rapids downed Division 2 honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis 3-1 – MI Sports Now
7. CROSS COUNTRY The Freeland and Saginaw Valley Lutheran girls and LPD2 No. 3 Alma and LPD3 No. 12 Ithaca boys won Tri-Valley Conference jamborees – Saginaw News
8. VOLLEYBALL Midland also came back from two sets down to get past Dow in five – Midland Daily News
9. CROSS COUNTRY The Petersburg Summerfield girls and Erie Mason boys finished first at the second Tri-County Conference jamboree – Monroe News
10. VOLLEYBALL LeRoy Pine River swept McBain Northern Michigan Christian, and Division 3 No. 10 McBain High swept Evart – Cadillac News