What's My Why: Official Will Godfrey

June 24, 2026

Will Godfrey, Jackson

Godfrey just completed his 30th year as an MHSAA-registered official, and he has officiated basketball and softball every season of those three decades. He also has officiated 24 seasons of volleyball, 24 of football and 18 of baseball.

Basically, to stay involved in sports, supplement my income, and just to really stay active.

I would encourage anyone who wants to stay involved in sports to do it. It’s fun and very rewarding. You meet a lot of good people, and it’s a good time.

“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].

Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.

What's My Why

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

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.

This is the Officiate Michigan Day 2026 logo.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.