Today in the MHSAA: 11/1/16
November 1, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
District volleyball play kicked off all over Michigan on Monday, beginning that sport's three-week playoff run to Battle Creek.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Volleyball
No. 9 Grand Haven won the first match toward a potential 11th straight District title, sweeping Muskegon Mona Shores in Class A – Muskegon Chronicle
Midland Bullock Creek came back from a two-set deficit to down Freeland 3-2 in a Class B opener – Saginaw News
Class C honorable mention Calumet opened District play with a sweep of Chassell – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Pittsford downed Camden-Frontier in four sets in a matchup of Class D honorable mentions – Hillsdale Daily News
Reigning MHSAA champion and Class D No. 3 Leland topped honorable mention Suttons Bay in four sets – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Cross Country
Longtime Marquette cross country and track & field coach Dale Phillips announced his retirement after 44 years and many MHSAA championship runs – Marquette Mining Journal
From Saturday, the Hart girls won their first Regional title, finishing first in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – Ludington Daily News
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.)