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: 10/29/20

October 29, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Boys Soccer Regional Semifinals and final-week regular-season volleyball matches saw ranked teams meet across the Lower Peninsula on Wednesday.

1. Boys Soccer: No. 3 (MPR) Richland Gull Lake came back from a two-goal deficit to down top-ranked Holland 3-2 in a Division 2 Regional Semifinal – Kalamazoo Gazette

2. Boys Soccer: Preston Ball scored all three goals in top-ranked (MPR) Elk Rapids’ shut out of No. 13 Ogemaw Heights to advance in Division 3 – Up North Live

3. Volleyball: No. 5 Traverse City Christian swept No. 2 Leland in a matchup of top Division 4 teams – Traverse City Record-Eagle

4. Volleyball: Division 3 No. 5 Beaverton locked up its third Jack Pine Conference title in four seasons with sweeps of Harrison and Pinconning – Midland Daily News

5. Boys Soccer: No. 12 (MPR) St. Joseph rode a big second half to a Division 2 Regional Semifinal win over Marshall St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

6. Boys Soccer: No. 15 (MPR) Shelby advanced in Division 3 with an overtime win over Muskegon Oakridge Local Sports Journal

7. Volleyball: Mya Hiram set Onsted’s kills record as her team went 2-1 in a home quad – Adrian Daily Telegram

8. Volleyball: Essexville Garber gave coach Kim Kokaly her 200th win with a sweep of Bridgeport – Bay City Times

9. Volleyball: Division 4 top-ranked Mendon closed the regular season with a win over Niles and loss to Edwardsburg – JoeInsider.com

10. Volleyball: Onaway earned wins over Posen and Rogers City – Cheboygan News

Also of note …

Boys Basketball: The Flint area is mourning the death of longtime coach Archie Robinson, who won more than 400 games leading Flint Hamady, Millington, Mt. Morris and Burton Atherton – WJRT