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: 11/6/20

November 9, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The celebrations weren’t exclusive this weekend to cross country and boys soccer (see coverage of Finals for both all over Second Half) as girls swimming & diving and volleyball teams also secured plenty of hardware.

1. Girls Swimming & Diving: Ludington won its first league title in this sport in 13 years, claiming the Coastal Conference championship – Ludington Daily News

2. Girls Swimming & Diving: Grand Blanc – an honorable mention in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – finished first and LPD2 honorable mention Midland Dow was second at the Saginaw Valley League championship meet – Midland Daily News

3. Volleyball: Brooklyn Columbia Central claimed its first District title in a decade, downing Hanover-Horton in Division 3 – Jackson Citizen Patriot

4. Volleyball: Grand Blanc won its third-straight District title, downing Davison in Division 1 – WJRT

5. Volleyball: Honorable mention Traverse City West avenged last season’s District loss to rival Central with a win in Division 1 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

6. Girls Swimming & Diving: LPD1 honorable mention Macomb L’Anse Creuse North clinched the Macomb Area Conference White championship – Macomb Daily

7. Girls swimming & Diving: Sterling Heights Stevenson took top honors in the MAC Silver – Macomb Daily

8. Volleyball: Manistique came back after losing the first set to win the next three against Bark River-Harris in Division 3 – Escanaba Daily Press

9. Volleyball: Indian River Inland Lakes repeated as a District champion, sweeping Alanson in Division 4 – Cheboygan News

10. Volleyball: After falling in a District Final last season, Johannesburg-Lewiston was victorious this time in Division 3 – WBKB