Today in the MHSAA: 10/29/19
October 29, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
With half of fall sports seasons either complete or coming to a close this weekend, Monday’s statewide schedule was light – but we tracked down every bit of coverage as volleyball teams prepped for next week’s Districts.
1. Volleyball: Division 2 No. 9 Kingsley finished 3-0 at the annual A-B-C-D quad with wins over Traverse City Central, Division 3 honorable mention St. Francis and Division 4 No. 5 Leland – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. Volleyball: Gaylord won in three sets over Pellston and two over Harbor Springs – Gaylord Herald Times
3. Volleyball: Petoskey improved to 27-12-3 with a sweep of Cheboygan – Petoskey News-Review
4. Volleyball: Alpena swept Ogemaw Heights as it continued to tune up for the postseason – Alpena News
5. Volleyball: Buckley downed Mesick in four sets after the teams split the first two – Cadillac News
Also of note …
Volleyball: From Saturday, Division 3 No. 5 Bronson finished its third Big 8 Conference championship run in three years playing in the league – Coldwater Daily Reporter
Volleyball: From Saturday, Division 2 honorable mention Montague swept Whitehall, Muskegon Oakridge and Mason County Central to lock up the West Michigan Conference title – Local Sports Journal
Volleyball: From Saturday, Division 3 No. 4 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian won the Lakes 8 Conference tournament title with victories over Muskegon Catholic Central and Ludington – Local Sports Journal
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.)