Nearly 1,000 Officials Converge in Grand Rapids for Officiate Michigan Day
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 5, 2026
GRAND RAPIDS – Nearly 1,000 MHSAA-registered officials – and some of the biggest names in officiating nationwide – attended Officiate Michigan Day on July 25 at DeVos Place.
Attendees enjoyed opportunities to hear football rules analyst and longtime official Mike Pereira and World Cup and Olympic soccer official Kari Seitz during the opening and closing addresses, respectively. They also took part in training sessions throughout the day including four that were sport-specific, with clinicians including several of the state’s highest-regarded officials at the high school level and some of the best-known at the collegiate and professional levels nationwide who grew up or reside in our state.
Above are highlights from the event and insights from several accomplished officials. Click for photos from throughout the day, from Adam Sheehan.
PHOTO Football rules analyst Mike Pereira speaks during the opening address at Officiate Michigan Day. (Photo by Adam Sheehan.)
Be the Referee: Neck Laceration Protector
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
December 10, 2024
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Neck Laceration Protector - Listen
In ice hockey, all players – including the goalie – must wear a neck laceration protector. This has been the rule in Michigan for a number of years but is now a national playing rule.
The ice hockey rule book states the protector must be worn in its original manufactured state, as intended, during competition.
Should a player enter a game without the neck laceration protector, or if it comes off during play, that player must go to the bench and can only return when the protector has been properly affixed. If the player refuses to wear the equipment, play will be stopped, and a two-minute penalty will be assessed to that player.
Goalies must wear the protector underneath and separate from the flapper-style throat protector at the bottom of their mask.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Dec. 3: Basketball Goaltending - Listen
Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call" - Soccer Offside - Listen
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18: Libero - Listen
Sept. 10: Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen
PHOTO Marquette's Connor Stade (20) takes a shot, but Houghton's Cooper Flachs (30) is able to cover up the puck during their November matchup. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)