Today in the MHSAA: 5/3/17
May 3, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Soccer played a big role in the Lower Peninsula on Tuesday, as the reigning Division 2 girls champion fell in a one-goal game to another of Oakland County’s best, and mid-Michigan continued to mourn one of the builders of boys soccer in the area who was lost over the weekend.
After a brief break, “Today” will return May 8.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Baseball
Bay City All Saints gave up only an unearned run in downing Division 4 No. 11 Unionville-Sebewaing 5-1 – Bay City Times
Brett Manis gave up only one hit and struck out 12 to lead Port Huron Northern past rival Port Huron 6-0 – Port Huron Times Herald
Girls Soccer
Division 1 No. 13 Rochester Adams held off Division 2 No. 3 and reigning champ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 3-2 – Oakland Press
Track & Field
The Sturgis boys team finished a perfect Wolverine Conference dual season with a 69-68 nail-biter against Otsego – Sturgis Journal
Boys Soccer
Dr. John Picone, an architect of Lansing-area soccer who led Okemos to a 291-74-47 record from 1982-2001, died Friday at age 66 – Lansing State Journal
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.)