Why be an Official? (Grand Rapids Press)

January 25, 2012

The Grand Rapids Press' Jane Bos tells the story of some of the most valuable, yet often-criticized people who help make our games go -- the officials enforcing the rules. 

Consider this interesting point: On a Tuesday or Friday, the O-K Conference must come up with 150 officials to work its basketball games. And it, like most if not all leagues, always is looking for more.

She also explains how another former Press sportswriter, Howie Beardsley, got into the reffing game.

Check it out:

"Why West Michigan high school referees say you should consider wearing stripes"

Today in the MHSAA: 5/9/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 9, 2024

1. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 5 Midland Dow finished undefeated in the Saginaw Valley League for the third-straight season by handing Division 3 No. 2 Flint Powers Catholic its lone SVL loss 1-0 – Mid-Michigan Now

2. TRACK & FIELD For the first time since 2008, Mason County Eastern finished a girls/boys championship sweep in the West Michigan D League – Ludington Daily News

3. BOYS LACROSSE Fenton clinched the Flint Metro League title in just its second season, downing Linden 6-3 – WJRT

4. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 4 Plainwell clinched its fourth-straight Wolverine Conference championship with a 3-0 win over Vicksburg – Kalamazoo Gazette

5. TRACK & FIELD The LPD4 No. 7 Centreville girls and White Pigeon boys claimed Southwest 10 Conference titles – Sturgis Journal Girls | Boys

6. GIRLS TENNIS Ludington edged North Muskegon to claim the West Michigan Conference title – Local Sports Journal

7. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 6 Jenison handed No. 5 Rockford a 2-1 loss, breaking the Rams’ 20-game winning streak, but Rockford came back with a 2-1 win in the second game – Grand Rapids Press

8. SOFTBALL Olivia Tilley broke Division 2 honorable mention Carleton Airport’s career stolen base record during a win over Grosse Ile, and as just a sophomore – Monroe News

9. TRACK & FIELD Traverse City St. Francis swept the Bruce Garland Relays at Benzie Central; the Gladiators girls are No. 1 in LPD3, and the boys are No. 10 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

10. BOYS LACROSSE Hartland followed Jacob Ross to a 17-6 win over Brighton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus