Today in the MHSAA: 2/28/18
February 28, 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. Hockey: In a matchup of top contenders, Division 2 No. 1 Livonia Stevenson got past No. 2 Plymouth 3-2 in a Pre-Regional – Observer & Eccentric
2. Hockey: Goalie Dawson Kero had 27 saves as top-ranked Hancock got past No. 3 Houghton 3-2 in a Division 3 Pre-Regional – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
3. Boys Basketball: Waterford Mott completed a Lakes Valley Conference championship run with a 69-47 win over White Lake Lakeland – Oakland Press
4. Hockey: Joel Cerny’s overtime winner pushed Traverse City West past Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 5-4 in a Division 1 Pre-Regional – Traverse City Record-Eagle
5. Hockey: Muskegon Mona Shores upset Grand Rapids West Catholic 5-1 in a Division 2 Pre-Regional – Muskegon Chronicle
6. Boys Basketball: Clarkston downed West Bloomfield 66-60 to lock up the Oakland Activities Association Red title – Oakland Press
7. Boys Basketball: Quincy finished a repeat title run in the Big 8 Conference with a 77-26 win against Concord – Coldwater Daily Reporter
8. Boys Basketball: Alma claimed a share of the Tri-Valley Conference Central title with a 72-56 win over Midland Bullock Creek – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
9. Boys Basketball: Tanner Reha went over 1,000 career points with 19 in a 74-72 overtime win over Lansing Everett – Lansing State Journal
10. Boys Basketball: Wyoming Godwin Heights ran its winning streak to 15 with a 68-64 win over Grand Rapids Christian – FOX 17
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.)