Today In The MHSAA: 9/22/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 22, 2021
1. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 3 St. Joseph made a major move locally and statewide, downing No. 1 Richland Gull Lake 2-1 to pull into first place alone in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
2. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 honorable mention Traverse City West sits alone atop the Big North Conference standings after sweeping former co-leader and Division 2 No. 8 Cadillac – Traverse City Record-Eagle
3. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 No. 4 Macomb Dakota moved into first place alone in the Macomb Area Conference Red with a 3-1 win over New Baltimore Anchor Bay – Macomb Daily
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 2 Berkley and No. 7 Troy remain tied atop the Oakland Activities Association standings after a 1-1 draw – Oakland Press
5. CROSS COUNTRY The first Lakes 8 Activities Conference jamborees were both decided by two points, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – ranked No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – winning the girls race and Ludington winning the boys – Ludington Daily News
6. CROSS COUNTRY Romeo swept top team finishes at the MAC Red jamboree; Romeo’s boys are No. 3 in LPD1, and the girls are ranked No. 5 – Macomb Daily
7. VOLLEYBALL North Farmington edged Berkley in five sets in a match that could eventually have OAA White title implications – Oakland Press
8. VOLLEYBALL Remus Chippewa Hills twice came back from a set down to defeat Reed City in five – Big Rapids Pioneer
9. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 13 Portage Central and Portage Northern tied for the second-straight “Portage Derby,” this one a scoreless draw – Kalamazoo Gazette
10. BOYS SOCCER Howard City Tri County handed Big Rapids its first defeat this fall, 2-0 – Big Rapids Pioneer
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.)