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: 5/20/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 20, 2025

1. BASEBALL Detroit Cass Tech ended Division 1 No. 10 Detroit Western’s run of 15 straight city championships with a 6-1 win in the Detroit Public School League Gold title game – Detroit Free Press

2. BASEBALL Division 2 No. 18 Flat Rock clinched a share of its first Huron League title since 1976 with a 9-0 win over Division 3 No. 20 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central – Monroe News

3. SOFTBALL Division 3 No. 6 Millington swept Division 4 top-ranked Unionville-Sebewaing to clinch the Big Thumb Conference White title – Huron Daily Tribune

4. SOFTBALL Division 1 No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy won its fifth-straight Catholic High School League title with a 5-0 win over Division 2 No. 4 Dearborn Divine Child in the Bishop championship game – Hometown Life

5. TRACK & FIELD Lake Linden-Hubbell swept championships at the Copper Mountain Conference championship meets – Upper Michigan’s Source

6. BOYS GOLF Warren De La Salle Collegiate – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – carded a 307 to claim a 10th Macomb County championship over the last 11 seasons – Macomb Daily

7. TRACK & FIELD The Gladstone girls and Marquette boys were champs at the Great Northern Conference championship meets – Upper Michigan’s Source

8. GIRLS SOCCER Ovid-Elsie downed Montrose 4-0 to secure the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference championship – Mid-Michigan Now

9. GIRLS TENNIS Bay City Western won the Bay County championship, tying Essexville Garber for most titles at the annual tournament – Bay City Times

10. BOYS GOLF Ann Arbor Pioneer and LPD2 No. 5 Chelsea won Southeastern Conference Tournament titles – Ann Arbor News

Also of note ...

SOFTBALL Division 3 honorable mention Lansing Catholic swept Ionia to earn a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference White title – Lansing State Journal