Today in the MHSAA: 11/11/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 11, 2022
1. VOLLEYBALL No. 3 Athens swept honorable mention St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lakes in Division 4 to clinch its first Regional title in this sport – Coldwater Daily Reporter
2. VOLLEYBALL Berkley also won its first Regional title in this sport by defeating Grosse Pointe South in four sets in Division 1 – Oakland Press
3. VOLLEYBALL Honorable mention Grand Rapids West Catholic swept Fruitport in Division 2 to clinch its first Regional title in volleyball – Grand Rapids Press
4. VOLLEYBALL Mt. Morris defeated honorable mention Frankenmuth in four sets to also claim its first volleyball Regional title – Mid-Michigan Now
5. VOLLEYBALL No. 2 North Branch won a rematch of last season’s Division 2 Final, defeating No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in four sets for a Regional championship – Oakland Press
6. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 8 Cass City swept New Lothrop to earn its first Regional title since 1977 – Huron Daily Tribune
7. VOLLEYBALL Top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central swept No. 7 Plymouth Christian Academy to clinch a Division 3 Regional title – Monroe News
8. VOLLEYBALL No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern advanced in Division 1 with a four-set win over No. 7 Hudsonville – FOX 17
9. VOLLEYBALL No. 4 Kalamazoo Christian defeated No. 5 Watervliet in four sets to clinch a Division 3 Regional title – WWMT
10. VOLLEYBALL Top-ranked Bloomfield Hills Marian swept No. 10 Macomb Dakota in Division 1 to advance to next week – Oakland Press
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.)