Today in the MHSAA: 9/5/18
September 5, 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. Boys Soccer: T.J. Renaud’s goal with 40 seconds to play pushed Troy Athens past reigning Division 1 champion Detroit Catholic Central, 2-1 – Oakland Press
2. Boys Soccer: Midland Dow is up to eight shutouts during a 9-0 start after a 7-0 win over reigning Division 3 champion Flint Powers Catholic – Midland Daily News
3. Cross Country: Remus Chippewa Hills’ girls edged Fremont by five points to win the first Central State Activities Association Gold race of the season; Fremont’s boys also were victorious – Big Rapids News
4. Cross Country: Hudson’s girls won their side of their Hudson Early Season Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram
5. Boys Soccer: Gladwin’s Justin Raymond scored four more goals in a 6-1 win over Clare to give him 19 in 10 games this fall – Midland Daily News
6. Volleyball: Lakeview claimed the St. Clair Volley War in the Shores for the fourth straight season – Macomb Daily
7. Boys Soccer: Brighton’s goal with 2:15 to play was the decider in a 1-0 win over Hartland – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Boys Soccer: Oxford improved to 5-1-2 with a 1-0 win over Lake Orion – Oakland Press
9. Volleyball: Kingsford came back from two sets down to defeat Escanaba – Escanaba Daily Press
10. Volleyball: Manton also came back from two sets down to defeat McBain in five – Cadillac News
Also of note …
Volleyball: The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association announced its Miss Volleyball finalists – 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.)