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: 11/2/20

November 2, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Finals fields for Lower Peninsula cross country and soccer were settled over the weekend, topped by a victory in each that especially jumped off the webpage.

1. Cross Country: The No. 2-ranked St. Johns boys won their first Regional title since 1979, and the No. 8 Mason girls also won in Division 2 at DeWitt – Lansing State Journal 

2. Boys Soccer: Top-ranked (MPR) Elk Rapids clinched a Division 3 Regional title with a shutout of No. 15 Shelby, finishing a month during which it didn’t give up a goal over seven games – Traverse City Record-Eagle

3. Cross Country: Romeo (No. 10 girls, No. 1 boys) swept Lower Peninsula Division 1 championships – Macomb Daily 

4. Cross Country: Pinckney (No. 10 girls, No. 3 boys) swept Division 2 Regional titles, adding to league and Pre-Regional championships this fall – Livingston Daily

5. Cross Country: Ann Arbor Pioneer (No. 3 girls, No. 4 boys) swept Division 1 Regionals, and Chelsea (No. 12 girls, No. 7 boys) swept races in Division 2 – Ann Arbor News

6. Cross Country: Hart continued its domination this fall with a sweep of Division 3 titles; both teams are ranked No. 1 statewide in their division  Ludington Daily News

7. Cross Country: Saugatuck built on its successful decade with a pair of Division 4 Regional championships; the girls are ranked No. 7, and the boys are No. 1  Holland Sentinel

8. Cross Country: The No. 6 Clarkston girls and No. 7 Milford boys won Division 1 Regionals – State Champs Sports Network

9. Cross Country: The No. 2 Petoskey girls and top-ranked Fremont boys were among Division 2 Regional winners – Petoskey News-Review

10. Cross Country: The No. 10 Hanover-Horton boys and No. 6 Jackson Lumen Christi girls won Division 3 titles – JTV