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Today in the MHSAA: 11/30/17
November 30, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today's Top 10
1. Hockey: Traverse City Central ran its streak over Petoskey to 18 straight even as the Northmen came back from a three-goal deficit to force overtime – Petoskey News-Review
2. Hockey: A matchup of annual powers saw Detroit Catholic Central down Trenton 4-2 – Oakland Press
3. Girls Basketball: Freshman Olivia Kubik opened her high school career with 21 points in Utica Ford’s 42-33 win over Rochester – Macomb Daily
4. Girls Basketball: Farmington Hills Mercy came back from a quick deficit to down Rochester Adams 51-41 in both teams’ opener – Oakland Press
5. Girls Basketball: Detroit East English has high aspirations this winter and got off on a winning step with a 62-24 victory over Harper Woods – Detroit News
6. Hockey: Midland opened its season with a 4-1 win over Mount Pleasant – Midland Daily News
7. Girls Basketball: Bear Lake opened with a close 35-30 win over Suttons Bay – Manistee News Advocate
8. Girls Basketball: Kingsley opened with a big win Wednesday, 77-37 over Traverse City West – MI Sports Now
9. Hockey: Grosse Ile dominated against Dearborn United to move to 3-1 this winter – Southgate News Herald
10. Football: Canton football gave out its first Chiefs Spirit Award as part of its season-ending banquet in honor of Chris Lanier, as his mother pled with current players to “not give up on life.” Lanier, a 2007 grad, took his life in 2013 – Observer & Eccentric
![Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association.](/sites/default/files/2023-12/231212_WestOttawa_2H.png)
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.)