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: 9/20/21

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 20, 2021

1. CROSS COUNTRY The Ann Arbor Pioneer girls – No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – won their Spartan Elite race to highlight in-state champions at the annual Spartan Invitational at Michigan State – Athletic.net

2. VOLLEYBALL Hudsonville Unity Christian won the Portage Northern Invitational with a 2-1 finale over Division 2 honorable mention Niles – Niles Daily Star

3. GIRLS GOLF Richland Gull Lake shot a 354 to win the Coldwater Invitational – Coldwater Daily Reporter

4. CROSS COUNTRY The Dexter, Freeland (No. 4 LPD2), Goodrich (No. 10 LPD2), Jackson Lumen Christi (No. 11 LPD3) and Hillsdale Academy (No. 3 LPD4) girls, and Lake Orion (No. 7 LPD1), East Lansing (No. 11 LPD1), Flint Powers Catholic (No. 10 LPD2), Bronson and Hillsdale Academy (No. 4 LPD4) boys won titles at the Holly/Duane Raffin Festival of Races – Athletic.net

5. GIRLS GOLF Bay City Western shot a season-best 387 to win the Bay County Championship – Bay City Times

6. GIRLS GOLF Rockford shot a 313 to win the Greenville Invitational – Petoskey News-Review

7. CROSS COUNTRY Grand Rapids Christian swept Division 1 races, while the LPD1 No. 11 St. Joseph’s girls and honorable mention Grand Haven’s boys won Division 2 races at the Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills Invitational; Grand Rapids Christian’s girls are No. 2 in LPD2, and the boys are No. 1 – Athletic.net

8. CROSS COUNTRY The Ann Arbor Huron boys and LPD1 No. 3 Saline girls were among champions at the Huron Invitational – Athletic.net

9. BOYS TENNIS LPD2 No. 4 Midland Dow topped its quad also featuring No. 10 Traverse City Central, No. 9 Portage Central and Grosse Pointe North – Midland Daily News

10. BOYS SOCCER Big Rapids handed Division 2 No. 8 Ludington its first defeat this season, 1-0 – Big Rapids News