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: 4/26/21

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 26, 2021

This spring weekend felt more like winter in many places across the state but was filled with accomplishments including school and tournament records and first-time championships.

1. Boys Golf: Traverse City Central won its first TC Tee Off since 2004 with a 302 on the second day of the tournament – Traverse City Record-Eagle

2. Girls Track & Field: Howell won its Highland Games Invitational thanks in part to Mackenzie Wright’s school record in the 3,200 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

3. Boys Golf: Haslett won the Division 1 team title and Williamston’s Wyatt Vogel was the top individual with a tournament record 68 at the annual Dick’s Sporting Goods Invitational – Owosso Argus-Press

4. Softball: Essexville Garber won its first Bay County championship with a 7-2 win over Bay City Western – Bay City Times

5. Track & Field: Benzie Central swept championships at Cadillac’s Gary Rathbun Invitational with Hunter Jones breaking the boys school 3,200 record – Benzie Record Patriot

6. Baseball: Division 1 No. 11 Macomb Dakota followed up a Thursday loss to No. 16 Romeo with a 9-6 win in Friday’s rematch – Macomb Daily

7. Boys Track & Field: Harbor Springs’ Evan Schwab broke a 50-year-old school long jump record at the Mancelona Invitational – Petoskey News-Review

8. Softball: Escanaba added wins over Macomb Dakota and Frankenmuth to a downstate trip that also saw losses to Hartland and Farmington Hills Mercy – Escanaba Daily Press

9. Boys Lacrosse: Landon Taylor’s goal with 10 seconds to play gave Muskegon Mona Shores a 14-13 win over Reeths-Puffer – Local Sports Journal

10. Baseball: Division 3 No. 15 Traverse City St. Francis won its tournament with a walk-off 8-7 win over Evart in the finale 9&10 News

Also of note …

Girls Basketball: After a season at Flint Carman-Ainsworth, former Flint Northern star and coach Tonya Edwards is headed back to the WNBA as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky – Flint Journal