Today In The MHSAA: 9/14/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 14, 2021
1. BOYS SOCCER Spring Lake earned an impressive 3-0 win over Division 3 top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian – Grand Haven Tribune
2. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 top-ranked New Baltimore Anchor Bay emerged from a matchup of unbeatens with a 2-1 win over No. 10 Macomb Dakota – Macomb Daily
3. BOYS SOCCER Dearborn Edsel Ford remained undefeated in the Downriver League by handing Lincoln Park its first loss overall this fall, 6-1 – Southgate News-Herald
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 13 Boyne City picked up a road shutout, 3-0 at Charlevoix – Petoskey News-Review
5. VOLLEYBALL Buchanan traded sets but won the deciding fifth against Stevensville Lakeshore – Niles Daily Star
6. BOYS SOCCER Oscoda moved to 6-0 with a big win over Alcona – WBKB
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 8 Elk Rapids shined again in a shutout of Grayling – Up North Live
8. BOYS SOCCER A late first-half goal stood for the entirety as Bloomfield Hills edged Pontiac 1-0 – Oakland Press
9. BOYS SOCCER Kirby Eggers scored four goals to lead Division 3 No. 2 Holland Christian past Allendale – Holland Sentinel
10. VOLLEYBALL Mason County Eastern is off to a 1-0 start in the West Michigan D League thanks to a four-set win over Walkerville – Local Sports 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.)