![Today In The MHSAA](/sites/default/files/2021-03/Today%20In%20The%20MHSAA_8.png)
Today In The MHSAA: 4/28/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 28, 2021
1. Girls Lacrosse: Emma Murphy had 17 goals and Grace Wilson had 16 assists in Midland’s 30-3 win over Grand Blanc; both are MHSAA single-game records – WJRT
2. Girls Tennis: No. 2 Bloomfield Hills edged No. 3 Birmingham Seaholm 5-3 in a matchup of top teams statewide in Lower Peninsula Division 1 and in the Oakland Activities Association Red – Oakland Press
3. Baseball: No. 10 Bay City John Glenn swept No. 2 Essexville Garber in a matchup of top statewide Division 2 teams – WJRT
4. Baseball: Niles got coach Mike Vota to 400 career wins with a sweep of Division 3 No. 20 Niles Brandywine – Niles Daily Star
5. Softball: Muskegon Oakridge ran its West Michigan Conference streak to 63 straight wins with a sweep of Montague, including an extra-inning victory in the opener – Local Sports Journal
6. Track & Field: The Escanaba girls and Gladstone boys won Delta County Invitational championships – Escanaba Daily Press
7. Track & Field: The Novi boys edged Salem with a win in the final event; Salem’s girls won sweeping the field event first places – MLive-Detroit
8. Softball: Kingsley won 8-7 and 6-5 over Kalkaska both with walk-off singles – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. Softball: Millington improved to 13-0 with a sweep of Hemlock – Saginaw News
10. Track & field: Remus Chippewa Hills’ girls are off to another big start after impressive wins over Newaygo and Howard City Tri County – Big Rapids News
Also of note …
Boys Basketball: Fremont coach Peter Zerfas has retired with a 318-151 record, nine District and eight league titles over 21 seasons – MI Sports Now
Volleyball: Betsy DeVries will take over three-time Division 2 reigning champion Grand Rapids Christian for retired coach Tiffannie Gates – Grand Rapids Press
![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.)