Today in the MHSAA: 9/21/18
September 21, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
1. Volleyball: Division 2 No. 8 Spring Lake came back from dropping the third and fourth sets to finish a win over honorable mention Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Local Sports Journal
2. Volleyball: Division 4 No. 2 Camden-Frontier ran its winning streak to 13 with a sweep of Hillsdale Academy – Hillsdale Daily News
3. Boys Soccer: Aidan Day scored his 48th career goal to set his school’s record as Alpena tied Petoskey – Alpena News
4. Volleyball: Division 1 No. 7 Hudsonville edged Grand Haven in four sets, winning three by three or fewer points – Grand Haven Tribune
5. Volleyball: Utica Eisenhower downed Macomb Dakota in a matchup of teams that entered undefeated in Macomb Area Conference Red play – Macomb Daily
6. Boys Soccer: Zach Riordan scored five goals for Division 4 No. 5 Adrian Lenawee Christian in its win over Brooklyn Columbia Central – Adrian Daily Telegram
7. Volleyball: Division 2 honorable mention Cadillac swept Traverse City West to finish the first half of the Big North Conference schedule undefeated – Cadillac News
8. Boys Soccer: Will Flewelling scored twice as Division 3 No. 4 Ludington downed Manistee 3-1 – MI Sports Now
9. Volleyball: Marquette remained undefeated with a sweep of rival Escanaba – Escanaba Daily Press
10. Boys Soccer: Walled Lake Northern downed Lakes Valley Conference leader Milford 3-1 – Oakland 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.)