Today in the MHSAA: 10/22/19
October 22, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
By comparison to any night of the last few weeks, Monday was pretty low-key – aside from the top two boys soccer teams in Division 3 meeting with the rest of the season on the line.
1. Boys Soccer: Top-ranked Holland Christian got past No. 2 Hudsonville Unity Christian 1-0 in overtime to move on to a Division 3 Regional Final; both teams entered unbeaten and had tied each other twice – Holland Sentinel
2. Cross Country: The Pittsford girls – No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – and Clinton boys won the Sand Creek Invitational championships – Adrian Daily Telegram
3. Volleyball: South Haven picked up a pair of wins, sweeping Coloma and getting past Division 3 honorable mention Bridgman 2-1 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
4. Volleyball: Division 3 No. 8 Beaverton swept Harrison to set up a first vs. second place Jack Pine Conference matchup Wednesday against Gladwin – Midland Daily News
5. Volleyball: Gladwin worked through a pair of close sets to shutout out Farwell and improve to 22-12-1 – Midland Daily News
6. Volleyball: Traverse City Christian improved to 27-4 with a sweep of Brethren – Up North Live
7. Volleyball: Division 3 honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis swept Harbor Springs in Lake Michigan Conference play – Up North Live
8. Volleyball: Ludington improved to 39-10-9 with wins over Howard City Tri County and Fremont and despite a loss to Kent City – Local Sports Journal
9. Volleyball: Bark River-Harris got through a close second set to eventually sweep Powers North Central – Escanaba Daily Press
10. Volleyball: Clare picked up a league sweep over Sanford Meridian – MI Sports Now
Holland West Ottawa Athletics Complex Recognized with National Award
December 12, 2023
Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex, with architectural firm GMB, has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities.
West Ottawa’s new stadium consists of two turf playing fields. The west field was designed deliberately without a surrounding track to bring the stands and field closer together with a central tunnel beneath the grandstands for the home team to enter onto the field. The same synthetic turf, light posts, and state-of-the-art audio/video systems are utilized on both fields for an equitable experience for all users.
Multiple ground-level entry points with access to the fields, barrier-free locker rooms and multiple seating options with elevator access also create accessibility for spectators, players, coaches, and support staff.
“This facility allows our students the opportunity to play in one of the premier complexes in the state of Michigan,” said Jeff Malloch, assistant superintendent of business services at West Ottawa Public Schools. “We have seen continued interest in lacrosse, football, and soccer, and this complex will be utilized by our community youth from elementary age to high school student-athletes.”
Adding elevated fan experiences, such as a concourse level between the upper and lower sections of the home stands, bigger bleachers, and updated concession stands and restrooms establish a venue for multiple sports and attract the entire community to utilize the facility.
“This is a one-of-a-kind facility for West Michigan, and it’s been wonderful to see student-athletes from across the state enjoy the complex’s unique amenities,” said Nate Bosch, a landscape architect with GMB. “The collaboration needed to make this project come to life was an inspiring process to be a part of, and we are so pleased to celebrate this accomplishment with West Ottawa.”
This is the first time a GMB project has been awarded a multi-field facility of the year honor by the ASBA. GMB also has received four Project of the Year honors in the outdoor tennis category and 20 distinguished awards from ASBA for other athletic facility projects over the past 12 years.
(Photos by M-Buck Studio.)