Today in the MHSAA: 2/1/19
February 1, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Slowly and surely, teams began returning to the court and ice Thursday, including with the first games of this weekend’s Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League Showcase.
1. Hockey: Utica Eisenhower won its 10th straight game in downing Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 4-2, and Division 1 No. 9 Macomb Dakota came back to defeat Division 2 No. 7 Saline 3-1 in MIHL Showcase games – Macomb Daily
2. Girls Basketball: Mackinaw City improved to 12-1 by holding on against Cheboygan 47-44 – Petoskey News-Review
3. Boys Basketball: Matt Ojala put up 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead Calumet past Houghton 46-45 – The Upbeat
4. Boys Basketball: Gaylord St. Mary held on for a 70-65 win over Onaway – Gaylord Herald Times
5. Boys Basketball: Alpena continued its best season in four with a 70-55 win over Gaylord – Alpena News
6. Girls Basketball: Abby Brown scored 31 points as Manton won big over Leroy Pine River – MI Sports Now
7. Girls Basketball: Six Copper Kings players scored eight or more points in Calumet’s 66-47 win over L’Anse – The Upbeat
8. Girls Basketball: McBain Northern Michigan Christian bounced back from this week’s layoff with a 48-22 win over Evart – Cadillac News
9. Boys Basketball: Grand Traverse Academy also came back from nearly a week off practice for a 68-53 win over the Traverse City Homeschoolers – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)