Today in the MHSAA: 1/9/18
January 9, 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. Boys Skiing: Reigning Division 2 champion Petoskey edged reigning Division 1 runner-up Traverse City Central to win its side of the Petoskey-Harbor Invitational – Petoskey News-Review
2. Girls Skiing: Harbor Springs dominated its side of the Petoskey-Harbor Invitational, out-distancing the field by more than 20 points – Petoskey News-Review
3. Girls Basketball: Detroit Osborn earned its first victory over Detroit Henry Ford in more than a decade, 31-28 – Detroit News
4. Boys Basketball: Central Lake drilled a last-second 3-pointer to edge Onaway 65-64 – Alpena News
5. Girls Basketball: Negaunee remained undefeated with a 59-45 win over Marquette – Marquette Mining Journal
6. Boys Basketball: Muskegon Heights Academy held off a late rally to edge North Muskegon 58-56 – Muskegon Chronicle
7. Girls Basketball: Grosse Ile made it six straight wins with a Huron League opening victory over rival Riverview – Southgate News Herald
8. Football: Romeo co-coach Jason Couch, who helped lead the team to the 2015 Division 1 title, announced he’s leaving the program to take over at Alma College – Macomb Daily
9. Football: Battle Creek Lakeview coach Matt Miller stepped down after 20 years with program, including as head coach since 2010, and 30 years total on the sideline – Battle Creek Enquirer
10. Basketball: Vestaburg’s Jim Hodges and Larry Koutz are two of the many unsung contributors who make our games happen; they have nearly 100 years of combined experience serving as the official scorekeeper and clock/scoreboard operator, respectively, at the school – Greenville 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.)