Officiate Michigan Day 2026 - Register to Join Us!
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 19, 2026
Officiate Michigan Day 2026 will welcome 2,000 MHSAA-registered game officials to Grand Rapids on July 25 – and registration is available now for this historic gathering expected to draw participants from all over the state.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with the first session at 9 a.m. at DeVos Place. The day-long event will feature dynamic speakers and presenters providing knowledge in several sports and all levels including collegiate and professional. We will be highlighting several of those speakers over the next many weeks on MHSAA.com and social media as part of the lead-up to the event.
Cost is $45 if officials register by the end of June, and $50 beginning July 1. More information is on the way; keep posted at MHSAA.com/OMD.
This will be the third Officiate Michigan Day, joining events in 2013 and 2018.
OMD will accompany the annual National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Summit that will take place July 26-28, also at DeVos Place.
Be the Referee: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
October 21, 2025
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 – Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
We have a field hockey “You Make the Call” for you today.
A penalty stroke is awarded to the white team as time expires in the third quarter, with red leading by three goals. Should the official award the penalty stroke?
Yes. Since this occurred at the end of the third quarter, the official must award the penalty stroke and continue play until it is completed.
However, if the same situation happens as time expires in the fourth quarter and red is still ahead by three goals, the official shall end the game without awarding the penalty stroke.
New this year, if a penalty stroke is called at the end of the game and the outcome cannot affect the result, the game is not extended. A stroke is only taken if it could alter the result. Otherwise, it’s game over.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen
(Photo courtesy of Caroline Sutton.)