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: 5/27/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 27, 2026

1. BOYS GOLF No. 6 McBain Northern Michigan Christian claimed its first Regional title in this sport, edging No. 3 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian by five strokes in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – Cadillac News

2. GIRLS SOCCER No. 11 Rochester advanced to a Division 1 District Final by handing No. 2 Utica Eisenhower its lone loss, 1-0 – Oakland Press

3. BOYS LACROSSE Lake Orion came back from three goals down to clinch a Division 1 Regional title with a 10-8 win over Rochester Hills Stoney Creek – Oakland Press

4. BOYS LACROSSE Mattawan downed Portage Northern 12-5 to clinch a Division 2 Regional title – WWMT

5. SOFTBALL Honorable mention Armada downed reigning Division 2 champion Richmond 4-0 in a District opener – Macomb Daily

6. BASEBALL Bay City All Saints swept Peck to finish a third-straight Big Thumb Conference Red title run – Bay City Times

7. BASEBALL Traverse City Central clinched the Big North Conference title with a sweep of Alpena – Traverse City Record-Eagle

8. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 13 Hartland scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to get past Brighton 5-4 in a Division 1 District opener – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

9. SOFTBALL Taylor Schuberg tossed a no-hitter to lead No. 5 Morley Stanwood past Central Montcalm in a Division 3 District opener – Big Rapids Pioneer

10. BASEBALL Mount Pleasant upset No. 10 Midland Dow 7-5 in Division 1 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun