Today In The MHSAA: 11/2/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 2, 2021
1. VOLLEYBALL Hannahville Nah Tah Wahsh advanced during the volleyball postseason for the first time in more than a decade with 3-0 sweep of Norway in a Division 4 District opener – Escanaba Daily Press
2. VOLLEYBALL No. 8 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian opened District play with a sweep of honorable mention Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Division 4 – Oakland Press
3. VOLLEYBALL Howell twice trailed Hartland before winning their Division 1 District opener in five sets – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. VOLLEYBALL No. 5 Farmington Hills Mercy also moved on in Division 1 with a four-set win over Bloomfield Hills – Oakland Press
5. VOLLEYBALL Honorable mention Traverse City West opened Division 1 District play with a sweep of host Marquette – Traverse City Record-Eagle
6. VOLLEYBALL Saugatuck swept Holland Black River in Division 4, with Aerin Baker scoring the game winner in all three sets – Holland Sentinel
7. VOLLEYBALL Brighton got past Milford in four sets to open in Division 1 – Livingston Daily Press-Argus
8. VOLLEYBALL No. 3 Battle Creek St. Philip opened its Division 4 District schedule with a sweep of Bellevue – Battle Creek Enquirer
9. VOLLEYBALL Honorable mention McBain in Division 3 and No. 8 Cadillac in Division 2 were also among first-round District winners – Cadillac News
10. VOLLEYBALL Portage Central opened Division 1 play with a sweep of Stevensville Lakeshore – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
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.)