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: 10/7/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 7, 2026
1. GIRLS GOLF Honorable mention Muskegon Reeths-Puffer claimed its first Regional title since 2018, in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – Local Sports Journal
2. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 top-ranked Troy clinched the Oakland Activities Association Red championship, downing Lake Orion 3-0 – Oakland Press
3. BOYS SOCCER Laingsburg and Lansing Christian finished as co-champions of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference after a 1-1 draw – WILX
4. GIRLS GOLF No. 4 Elk Rapids swept team and individual Regional titles in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
5. GIRLS GOLF No. 6 North Muskegon edged honorable mention Grandville Calvin Christian by three strokes to win their LPD4 Regional – Local Sports Journal
6. BOYS SOCCER Rockford edged Division 1 No. 11 Hudsonville 1-0 – WOOD TV
7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 6 Kingsley swept Division 3 No. 9 Elk Rapids – MI Sports Now
8. GIRLS GOLF Top-ranked Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian carded a 361 to win an LPD3 Regional title – Holland Sentinel
9. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 3 Okemos defeated Haslett and Division 2 No. 3 Lansing Eastern downed East Lansing to advance to the championship match in the Capital Area Activities Conference Gold Cup – WLNS
10. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Division 4 No. 9 Hancock defeated Gwinn in four sets – My UP Now