Today in the MHSAA: 1/24/18
January 24, 2018
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. Girls Basketball: Bloomfield Hills Marian finished a Detroit Catholic League Central sweep of rival Farmington Hills Mercy, the reigning champion – Observer & Eccentric
2. Boys Basketball: Ottawa Lake Whiteford downed Petersburg-Summerfield 56-41 in a key Tri-County Conference matchup, earning coach John Rice his 500th win – Monroe Evening News
3. Boys Basketball: Detroit U-D Jesuit took the upper hand in the boys Detroit Catholic League Central with a win over former co-leader Warren DeLaSalle – Macomb Daily
4. Boys Basketball: Coloma won a matchup of unbeaten teams, 58-52 over Kalamazoo Christian – St. Joseph Herald Palladium
5. Girls Basketball: Marysville stayed undefeated in the Macomb Area Conference Gold, downing contender Marine City 51-44 in overtime – Port Huron Times Herald
6. Officials: Battle Creek Police deputy chief Jim Grafton enforces the law in his community – and the rules as an MHSAA official – Battle Creek Enquirer
7. Hockey: Division 3 No. 4 Houghton scored three goals in the third period to come back and beat Kingsford 4-3 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
8. Hockey: Division 2 No. 6 Saline scored three goals in the first period and held on for a 3-2 win over Dexter – Saline Post
9. Boys Basketball: Battle Creek Harper Creek earned its first win ever at Battle Creek Central Fieldhouse, downing the host 54-47 – Battle Creek Enquirer
10. Girls Basketball: Saginaw Swan Valley stretched its lead over the final three quarters in handing Jack Pine Conference leader Gladwin only its second loss, 45-27 – Midland Daily News
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.)