Today In The MHSAA: 9/10/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 10, 2021
1. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 4 Royal Oak Shrine Catholic got past No. 10 Madison Heights Bishop Foley 2-1 with a last-minute game-winner – Oakland Press
2. BOYS SOCCER Hartland came back from two goals down to tie Division 1 top-ranked Northville 2-2 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. VOLLEYBALL After splitting the first two sets, Grand Blanc won the next two to hand Saginaw Heritage its first defeat – Flint Journal
4. VOLLEYBALL Flushing downed Fenton in four sets in a match that should eventually figure into the league title race – Mid-Michigan Now
5. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 9 Ludington gave up its first goal of the season, but remained undefeated with a 5-1 win over Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – Ludington Daily News
6. BOYS TENNIS Midland Dow downed rival Midland 7-1 – Midland Daily News
7. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 10 McBain opened league play with sweeps of Houghton Lake and Beal City – Cadillac News
8. BOYS SOCCER Charlevoix defeated Grayling 2-0 in the annual “Noah’s Ark” game – Petoskey News-Review
9. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING The Traverse City Tritons co-op earned the individual first places in all but one event in a win over Gaylord – Traverse City Record-Eagle
10. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 4 Calumet earned a sweep of Iron Mountain in league play – Iron Mountain Daily News
Also of note …
MHSAA Longtime and now-retired assistant director Nate Hampton always has refused to take credit for the work he’s done in athletics over a half century – but the many he impacted are more than glad to step in and tell the story – Detroit Free Press
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.)