Athletic Director
Brett Geertsma, Athletic Director
Going into his second year on the job, The Potter’s House Athletic Director Brett Geertsma is excited about the path the Puma athletic program is heading. “We are definitely heading in the right direction.” he stated. “My coaches and I are working very hard to develop talent at the lower levels, and then take it to the next level when they get to high school. We are very determined to get the best out of these student-athletes, and I get a feeling that these student-athletes are ready to kick it up a notch and take this athletic program to the next level as well.”
After an exciting first year on the job, including the athletic programs first every district championship and regional finals appearance (Boys’ Soccer), Geertsma is eager to see more progress in 2011-2012. “We can’t be satisfied yet. We have to be hungry to get better in every sport, and I know the coaches here are preaching that everyday to our students. We have to continue to work incredibly hard to represent Christ well, to be passionate about what we are doing, and to do everything we possibly can to become the best that we can be.”
Geertsma passion for athletics is quite evident, and it started at a young age. His athletic experience first started as a high school basketball player at Holland Christian High School (03’). Following Holland Christian, Geertsma attended Calvin College (K-12 Physical Education, Psychology) where he served as the Director of Intramurals for three years, as well as an MHSAA registered basketball official and baseball umpire, officiating middle school, JV and Varsity contests. Geertsma’s first coaching job came as a sophomore at Calvin College, where he coached the 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach at Byron Center Christian School.
After his first coaching experience, Brett continued to add to his resume’. As a junior at Calvin, Brett became the Student-Assistant Basketball Coach under Calvin’s Head Varsity Coach, Kevin Vandestreek. Following his coaching experience at Calvin, Brett and a friend started an AAU basketball team called the “Rivertown Rage” that traveled all over the Midwest (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin), and won several tournaments, including the Wisconsin 17U AAU tournament. Following his experience as an AAU coach, he was hired as the JV Men’s Basketball Coach at The Potter’s House High School during his senior year in college and led the team to an 11-6 record. Brett loved his experience at The Potter’s House and states, “That basketball season is one the biggest reasons why I came back to work for the school. This is an amazing, unique place.”
Following graduation from Calvin College in 2008, Brett moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he was hired as the K-6 Elementary Physical Education teacher and Men’s’ Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach at Scottsdale Christian Academy. While in Phoenix, Brett assisted the Athletic Director in many roles, while also assisting the Men’s’ Varsity Basketball team for the two years (which included a State Championship in 2010). “I feel so blessed that I was able to be a part of a tremendous athletic program and to learn from a great Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director.”
Geertsma feels strongly that The Potter’s House is the place for him. “Mr. Dull (High School Principal) and Mr. Perez’s (High School Dean of Students) spiritual and professional guidance challenges me to stay passionate about Jesus and about making a difference in these young adults lives. Beyond that, in my role as Athletic Director I am offered an incredible avenue to make a difference. In sports, you have unique opportunities to work on moral and character development and to teach life skills. This is a great opportunity for me and my coaching staff here at the school to make a long-term, positive impact on the lives of young adults.”
Brett’s passion for the job, his desire to mentor young adults, and his desire to raise the bar of expectation and the level of passion from the school community make him a great fit for the job as Athletic Director. “If the entire school community and student body becomes passionate about Puma Athletics”, he says, “then amazing things can happen. This is a school that strives to graduate disciplined, responsible, passionate professionals and passionate followers of Jesus. The athletic program is an extension of the school and desires to play a major role in developing those characteristics in our students.”
