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: 5/7/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 7, 2024

1. BOYS LACROSSE Lake Orion got past Clarkston 17-12 to clinch an outright Oakland Activities Association Red championship – Oakland Press

2. GIRLS TENNIS Holland West Ottawa – tied for No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – earned a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title with a 6-3 win over Rockford – Holland Sentinel

3. BASEBALL Okemos swept Lansing Everett to clinch the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title – Lansing State Journal

4. SOFTBALL Ivy Davenport struck out 20 batters in Division 3 No. 10 Ithaca’s 4-0 win over Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, tying for 15th-most strikeouts in a seven-inning game in MHSAA history – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

5. GIRLS LACROSSE Rockford outscored East Grand Rapids 2-0 in the third quarter on the way to a 12-10 win in a matchup of state powerhouses – RockfordRams.org

6. BOYS GOLF Carson Ritz and his Adrian teammates swept Lenawee County championships – Adrian Daily Telegram

7. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Clio and No. 6 Goodrich split a doubleheader for the second time this season – WJRT

8. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 3 Bay City Western and Division 2 No. 2 Flint Powers Catholic split, with Luke Lacourse throwing a no-hitter for Western in the opening win – Bay City Times

9. GIRLS SOCCER Big Rapids won a matchup of co-leaders in the Central State Activities Association, downing Howard City Tri County 3-1 – Big Rapids Pioneer

10. BOYS GOLF Clarkston and Grosse Pointe South’s Brennan Sullivan were champions at the Charger Invitational in Flint – Flint Journal