Today in the MHSAA: 11/20/15
November 20, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Thursday’s Volleyball Semifinals set up two championship-deciding rematches, while athletes across the Lower Peninsula readied for the Swimming and Diving Finals beginning today.
Swimming and Diving
The Holland Sentinel provides plenty of reasons why even the casual fan should check out this weekend’s Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final at the Holland Aquatic Center – Holland Sentinel
Port Huron Northern diver Hallie Roman finished first in every competition during the regular season and became her school’s first MHSAA finalist in the sport since 2010 – Port Huron Times-Herald
Volleyball
Romeo will play for a second straight Class A title after downing Livonia Churchill in five sets in Class A – Macomb Daily
Top-ranked Novi earned an MHSAA Final rematch with Romeo by sweeping No. 3-ranked Grand Rapids Christian – Oakland Press
Battle Creek St. Philip will play for its 10th straight MHSAA championship after edging top-ranked Plymouth Christian in the first match of the day – Battle Creek Enquirer
Leland also earned an MHSAA Finals rematch in Class D with a win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)