Today in the MHSAA: 11/30/15
November 30, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The last Finals of the 2015 MHSAA fall season were played Saturday at Ford Field, and as of this morning teams in six winter sports are allowed to begin competition.
Below is a blend of something from the weekend and a few winter headlines as well.
Football
High school football stays with those who have played the game, and Romeo’s cheering section Saturday was among those filled with players past – Macomb Daily
Girls Basketball
Flint Hamady’s Jalisha Terry not only is one of the state’s top returning basketball players; she’s also stacking up college credits as a high school senior – Flint Journal
Ice Hockey
Calumet won Friday’s matchup with rival Hancock, but the Bulldogs came back to win Saturday’s rematch in overtime as the teams split the Copper Island Classic – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Rockford defeated Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills and then West Catholic to win the first Griff’s Ice House Thanksgiving Tournament – Grand Rapids 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.)