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: 10/28/20

October 28, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A pair of high-powered contests among Detroit Catholic League rivals in multiple sports topped a Tuesday of Soccer Regional Semifinals, volleyball conference title deciders and big-time swimming & diving matchups.

1. Volleyball: No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Marian handed top-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy its first loss, winning the Detroit Catholic League Bishop championship – Oakland Press

2. Boys Soccer: Top-ranked (MPR) Detroit Catholic Central edged No. 6 Warren De La Salle Collegiate 3-2 in overtime in a Division 1 Regional Semifinal – Oakland Press

3. Boys Soccer: No. 8 (MPR) East Grand Rapids downed No. 4 Petoskey 4-2 in a Division 2 Regional Semifinal – Petoskey News-Review

4. Boys Soccer: No. 14 (MPR) Leland won a shootout to end the season for reigning Division 4 champion Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – Up North Live

5. Girls Swimming & Diving: Lower Peninsula Division 3 No. 5 Hamilton defeated No. 4 Holland Christian, LPD1 No. 9 Zeeland defeated LPD3 No. 8 Spring Lake and LPD2 honorable mention Holland downed LPD3 honorable mention Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Holland Sentinel

6. Boys Soccer: Williamston won a shootout 3-1 to down No. 8 (MPR) Frankenmuth 4-3 in Division 3 – Saginaw News

7. Volleyball: Division 2 No. 7 Hamilton defeated honorable mention Grand Rapids West Catholic to secure the Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue title – Holland Sentinel

8. Volleyball: Saugatuck swept Lawton to finish a third-straight perfect run through the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore – Holland Sentinel

9. Boys Soccer: No. 5 (MPR) Riverview moved on in Division 2 with a shootout win over (No. 15) Chelsea – Southgate News-Herald

10. Boys Soccer: No. 4 (MPR) Bad Axe got past Roscommon 3-2 in overtime to advance in Division 4 – Huron Daily Tribune

Also of note …

Volleyball: Division 3 honorable mention Beal City earned its third-straight Highland Conference championship with a sweep of McBain Northern Michigan Christian – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

Volleyball: Muskegon Mona Shores swept Reeths-Puffer to clinch the O-K Green Tournament and overall title – Muskegon Chronicle