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: 8/26/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 26, 2025

1. VOLLEYBALL Division 4 No. 4 Mendon defeated Three Rivers to finish an undefeated day as St. Joseph County Tournament champion – Sturgis Journal

2. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 8 Frankenmuth defeated No. 6 Alma 4-1, and Freeland defeated No. 11 Saginaw Swan Valley 3-2 – Saginaw News

3. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 11 Holland High and Holland Christian played to a 1-1 draw – Holland Sentinel

4. GIRLS GOLF Harbor Springs and Katey Buchanan were champions at  the Grayling Invitational – Traverse City Record-Eagle

5. BOYS SOCCER Brooklyn Columbia Central added a 5-1 win over Division 3 No. 12 Grass Lake to its strong start – Jackson Citizen Patriot

6. CROSS COUNTRY The Monroe Jefferson and Southgate Anderson boys and Ypsilanti Lincoln girls were among winners at the Milan Puddle Jumpers Invitational – Monroe News | Athletic.net

7. BOYS SOCCER Bay City Western defeated Midland 1-0, its first win over the Chemics since 2018 – Bay City Times

8. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 7 Grosse Ile posted its second-straight shutout, this time 3-0 over Riverview – Southgate News-Herald

9/ BOYS SOCCER Midland Dow edged Mount Pleasant 5-4  in the Saginaw Valley League – Midland Daily News

10. BOYS SOCCER Fremont followed Deagan Klimek to a 3-0 win over Big Rapids – Local Sports Journal