Today In The MHSAA: 10/28/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 28, 2021
1. BOYS SOCCER No. 5 Grand Rapids South Christian edged top-ranked Holland Christian 1-0 in a Division 3 Regional Semifinal – Holland Sentinel
2. VOLLEYBALL Beaverton locked up a fourth Jack Pine Conference title in five seasons and a third-straight undefeated league run with sweeps of Farwell, Harrison and Pinconning – Midland Daily News
3. BOYS SOCCER No. 10 Bad Axe edged No. 12 Madison Heights Bishop Foley in a shootout to advance to a Division 4 Regional Final – Oakland Press
4. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 8 Cadillac and Division 1 honorable mention Traverse City West are co-champions of the Big North Conference, with Cadillac earning its share with a sweep of Gaylord – Cadillac News
5. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 honorable mention Morley Stanwood and Kent City shared the Central State Activities Association Silver title, Morley Stanwood with a sweep of Lakeview – Big Rapids Pioneer
6. BOYS SOCCER No. 4 Fenton advanced in Division 2 with a 4-1 win over Chelsea – Flint Journal
7. BOYS SOCCER No. 12 DeWitt also advanced to the Division 2 Regional Final with a 5-0 win over Clio – Lansing State Journal
8. BOYS SOCCER Delton Kellogg is moving on in Division 3 after a 2-1 win over Watervliet – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
9. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 10 Charlevoix defeated Leland and Division 4 No. 5 Traverse City Christian – Petoskey News-Review
10. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 4 Bronson fell to Parma Western in four sets and swept Jackson Northwest – Coldwater Daily Reporter
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.)