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: 9/22/25
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 22, 2025
1. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Grand Blanc won the Genesee County Meet, with Fenton – an honorable mention in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – placing second – Flint Journal
2. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 8 Hanover-Horton defeated Division 2 honorable mention Parma Western to clinch the Spring Arbor University Invitational title – Jackson Citizen Patriot
3. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 4 Elk Rapids downed No. 6 Grand Rapids West Catholic 3-0 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 5 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood downed No. 13 Dearborn Divine Child 1-0 in their second meeting this fall – Oakland Press
5. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 honorable mention Byron Center defeated Division 2 honorable mention Edwardsburg in three sets to clinch its home invitational title – Niles Daily Star
6. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING LPD2 No. 3 Midland Dow was first and Midland High second at the Tri-Cities Championship – Bay City Times
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 14 Fruitport capped a week of shutouts with a 1-0 win over Division 4 No. 3 North Muskegon – MuskegonSports.com
8. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD1 No. 4 Northville and LPD3 No. 9 Traverse City St. Francis girls and LPD1 No. 8 Traverse City West and LPD4 No. 4 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart boys won at Cadillac’s Veterans Serving Veterans Invitational – Cadillac News
9. VOLLEYBALL Division 4 No. 8 Crystal Falls Forest Park defeated Munising in the championship match to win its 12-team tournament – Iron Mountain Daily News
10. VOLLEYBALL Midland defeated Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard and then Mason to win the Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Tournament – Midland Daily News
Also of note …
VOLLEYBALL Cadillac coach Michelle Brines reached 1,000 wins during the Flint Powers Catholic Invitational – Cadillac News