Today in the MHSAA: 9/7/18
September 7, 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: Ionia moved to 7-0 with a 3-1 win over Lansing Everett; the Bulldogs already have bettered their win total from a year ago – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
2. Cross Country: Hart’s girls continued their dominance, this time in winning the Mason County Central Invitational – Ludington Daily News
3. Girls Golf: Traverse City West shot a 337 to win the Petoskey Invitational ahead of runner-up and Lower Peninsula Division 4 top-ranked Harbor Springs – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. Volleyball: South Lyon swept Milford, continuing its perfect run through the Lakes Valley Conference after sweeping league play in 2017 – Oakland Press
5. Boys Soccer: Kalamazoo Christian edged Hillsdale Academy 2-1, handing the Colts their first defeat – Hillsdale Daily News
6. Cross Country: The Berrien Springs boys and Battle Creek Harper Creek girls won the Berrien Springs Invitational titles – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
7. Boys Soccer: Grand Haven and East Kentwood played to a scoreless draw; East Kentwood beat Grand Haven three times in 2017 – Grand Haven Tribune
8. Boys Soccer: Midland Dow pushed its streak to 10 wins to open this season and nine shutouts with another over Lapeer – Midland Daily News
9. Cross Country: Clarkston’s teams swept first places at the Oakland Activities Association Red jamboree – Oakland Press
10. Boys Soccer: Jake Kaupp had a goal and an assist to lead Livonia Stevenson past rival Churchill – Observer & Eccentric
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.)