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Today in the MHSAA: 4/19/16
April 19, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
An early-season meeting of the top-ranked girls tennis teams in Lower Peninsula Division 2 highlighted headlines from Monday’s statewide spring sports action.
Baseball
Utica Eisenhower won its first game over Macomb Dakota in the last 12 tries, downing the Cougars 9-8 – Macomb Daily
Boys Golf
Utica Ford won the Evans-Gill Invitational with a 317, 16 strokes better than runner-up Macomb Dakota – Macomb Daily
Girls Soccer
From Saturday, Brighton moved to 5-0 this season with a 1-0 win over reigning Division 1 champion Saline – Livingston Daily
Softball
Haile Neal’s first hit of Monday night’s game against Taylor Kennedy was a walk-off home run as Brownstown Woodhaven won 3-2 – Detroit News
Girls Tennis
Division 2 top-ranked Bloomfield Hills Marian downed No. 2 Birmingham Seaholm 6-2 in a matchup of likely June favorites – Oakland Press
Good Read
Natalya Cavasos gained powerful perspective on education while stationed in Afghanistan for the Michigan National Guard, and she’s transferring those lessons as coach of the first-year Michigan Center girls soccer team – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
![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.)