What's My Why: Official Stacy Smith
August 3, 2026
Stacy Smith, Caledonia
Smith is registered to officiate her 34th season of competitive cheer this upcoming winter, as she began as a competitive cheer judge with the sport's first season in 1993-94.
The reason I officiate competitive cheer is to give back to a sport that I love so much, that’s given me so much. It’s a point of pride and passion, and it keeps me close to the spirit and the energy of those young, amazing athletes.
“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].
What's My Why
July 22: Jason Nickleby, Lake Elmo, Minn. - Watch
July 15: Sam Davis, Lansing - Watch
July 9: Candace Cox, Quincy - Watch
July 1: Robert Williams, Redford - Watch
June 24: Will Godfrey, Jackson - Watch
June 19: Jarrett Skorup, Midland - Watch
June 12: Brady Driver, Sturgis - Watch
June 8: Cindy Tyzo, West Bloomfield - Watch
June 3: Jeff Spedoske, DeWitt - Watch
June 1: Mike Carrier, Commerce Township - Watch
May 27: Stan Wright, Warren - Watch
May 26: Murray Rose, Zeeland - Watch
May 22: Mike VanLaan, Alto - Watch
May 18: Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch
Be the Referee: Puck on Goal Netting
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
December 9, 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 – Puck on Goal Netting - Listen
We’re on the ice today, where after being last touched by Team A, the puck comes to rest on top of the goal netting. What happens?
New this year in high school ice hockey: If a puck is on the top of the goal netting, it’s an immediate stoppage. The puck is considered out of play.
It goes back into play via a faceoff from the nearest faceoff dot in the defending team’s zone.
Why the change from previous years? Because a puck on top of the netting creates too many problematic scenarios to be considered playable – you could have high sticking, closed hand (handling of the puck), goalkeeper contact or player-in-the-goal-crease.
If the puck is on top of the goal netting, blow the whistle and resume with a faceoff.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Dec. 2: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
Nov. 25: Football Finals Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
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 Marquette's Skyler Blackburn and Negaunee goalie Kurt O'Brien scramble for the puck during a Nov. 8 matchup. (Photo by Randy Ritari.)