Officials Honored for Service Milestones

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 25, 2020

The MHSAA annually honors high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service at its Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet.

However, this spring’s banquet was canceled due to COVID-19. Instead, we present this virtual recognition for 322 officials who celebrated a milestone school year.

Twenty-three officials with 50 years of service are honored below, along with 55 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award has been presented to 55 officials. In addition, 108 officials with 30 years and 181 officials with 20 years of experience are honored.

Be the Referee: Tennis Spin

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

October 17, 2023

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Tennis Spin - Listen

Today’s "You Make the Call" takes us to the tennis court.

We’re in the middle of a volley when I hit a shot with a ton of spin on it. It goes over the net, bounces and then spins back over the net towards me, without being hit by my opponent.

What’s the call?

My opponent never hit the ball, so I win the point. The same rule applies if it’s wind, not spin, blowing the ball back over the net.

My opponent could have returned my shot, even if they had to reach over the net to do so, as long as they didn’t touch the net while returning. If my opponent hits the net in the process of returning my shot, it’s also my point.

Previous Editions

Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen