Today in the MHSAA: 11/3/17

November 3, 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. Volleyball: Class B No. 4 Niles continued its surge with a first-ever District Final win, sweeping honorable mention Buchanan – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

2. Volleyball: Beaverton claimed its first District championship in volleyball with a sweep of Coleman in Class C; last week the Beavers also won their first league title in this sport – Midland Daily News

3. Volleyball: No. 8 Rogers City claimed a third straight District title by coming back from a one-set deficit to down No. 5 Onaway in four in Class D – Alpena News

4. Volleyball: Reigning Class C champion and top-ranked Bronson got past a major obstacle again, sweeping honorable mention Mendon in a District Final – Coldwater Daily Reporter

5. Volleyball: Class D No. 3 North Adams-Jerome swept No. 9 Adrian Lenawee Christian to claim a District title – Hillsdale Daily News

6. Volleyball: Hamilton secured its first District title since 2007 with a four-set Class B win over honorable mention Hudsonville Unity Christian – Holland Sentinel

7. Volleyball: Class B honorable mention Parma Western swept Eaton Rapids to clinch its first District title in 19 years – Jackson Citizen Patriot

8. Volleyball: Crystal Falls Forest Park extended its District title streak to 18 seasons with a sweep of Wakefield-Marenisco – Iron Mountain Daily News

9. Volleyball: Grand Haven clinched its 11th straight District title and 16th in 17 seasons with a sweep of Muskegon Mona Shores in Class A – Grand Haven Tribune

10. Volleyball: Class C No. 6 Unionville-Sebewaing won a seventh straight District title, this time with a sweep of Harbor Beach – Huron Daily Tribune

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.

The band performs at Holland West Ottawa's athletics complex.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.)