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: 2/11/21

February 11, 2021

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

More contenders earned trips Wednesday to this month’s Ski Finals, while some of hockey’s best started their seasons as teams took to the ice across both peninsulas.

1. Skiing: The Traverse City Central girls and Traverse City West boys won Division 1 Regional championships – MI Sports Now

2. Boys Basketball: Grand Rapids Catholic Central banked a last-second 3-pointer to get past South Christian 58-56 – Grand Rapids Press

3. Hockey: Flint Powers Catholic avenged last season’s playoff loss with a 2-1 season-opening win over Midland Dow – Mid-Michigan Now

4. Girls Basketball: Plainwell earned a 35-32 overtime win over Three Rivers, which finished 21-3 last season – JoeInsider.com

5. Hockey: Livonia Stevenson opened with a 4-0 win over Brighton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

6. Boys Basketball: Kalamazoo Christian won the 130th meeting with rival Hackett 51-45 – Kalamazoo Gazette

7. Hockey: South Lyon Unified scored first, but Saline pulled away with a 5-2 win – Saline Post

8. Boys Basketball: Otsego ran its Wolverine Conference winning streak to 43 with a 63-45 victory over Sturgis – Kalamazoo Gazette

9. Hockey: Kaleb Miller scored the game’s lone goal in overtime as Traverse Bay Reps got past Big Rapids 1-0 – Up North Live

10. Hockey: Murphy Kehoe had a hat trick as Traverse City West downed Petoskey – MI Sports Now

Also of note …

Wrestling: Comstock Park is mourning the death of longtime coach Jim Olson – Grand Rapids Press