![Today In The MHSAA](/sites/default/files/2021-03/Today%20In%20The%20MHSAA_8.png)
Today in the MHSAA: 2/24/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 24, 2023
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard came back to defeat Detroit Renaissance 53-52 in overtime in the annual Operation Friendship championship matchup – MLIVE-Detroit
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Hart clinched its first league championship since 1963, claiming the West Michigan Conference Rivers with a 63-45 win over Mason County Central – CatchMark SportsNet
3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Salem edged Wayne Memorial 67-64 in overtime of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship game – Detroit News
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL DeWitt clinched a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title with a 54-44 win over Lansing Waverly – Lansing State Journal
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Lake City won the outright Highland Conference title with a 31-20 victory over McBain – Cadillac News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Saginaw Valley Lutheran downed Michigan Lutheran Seminary 56-48 to clinch a share of the Tri-Valley Conference 10-2 title – Saginaw News
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Gwyneth Bramer went over 1,000 career points in Traverse City St. Francis’ big win over Kalkaska – Traverse City Record-Eagle
8. HOCKEY St. Clair Shores downed Grosse Pointe South 3-2, and Warren De La Salle Collegiate defeated Port Huron Northern 7-4 in Division 3 Regionals – Macomb Daily
9. HOCKEY Ann Arbor Pioneer and Brownstown Woodhaven advanced in Division 1 Regionals – Southgate News-Herald
10. HOCKEY Cade Katlin had three goals in Howell’s Division 1-opening win over Grand Blanc – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
![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.)