Athletic Director
Brett Geertsma, Athletic Director
Going into his third 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. “The amazing coaches we have on staff here are working very hard to develop talent at the lower levels, and then helping the student-athletes 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.”
Geertsma is eager to see more progress in 2012-2013. “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 student-athletes. 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 maximize each student-athletes’ and teams’ potential.”
Geertsma’s 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 graduation from Holland Christian, Geertsma attended Calvin College (K-12 Physical Education, Psychology) where he began his coaching career. Along with the coaching opportunities he had, Geertsma served as the Director of Intramurals for three years, as well as an MHSAA registered basketball official and baseball umpire at the middle school and high school levels.
Geertsma’s first coaching job came as a sophomore at Calvin College when he served as head coach of the 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball team at Byron Center Christian School, guiding the team to an 10-3 record. After his first coaching experience, Geertsma continued to add to his resume’. As a junior at Calvin, Brett became the Student-Assistant Basketball Coach under Calvin College’s Head Varsity Coach, Kevin Vandestreek. Geertsma helped guide Calvin’s team into the second round of the national tournament. 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 while winning several tournaments, including the Wisconsin 17U AAU tournament. Following his experience as an AAU coach, he was hired as the Junior Varsity 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 stated, “That basketball season is one the biggest reasons why I came back to work for this school. This is an amazing, unique place.”
Following graduation from Calvin College in 2008 with a degree in K-12 Physical Education and a minor in Psychology, Geertsma 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. While in Phoenix, Brett assisted the Athletic Director in many roles, while also assisting the Men’s’ Varsity Basketball team. While serving as assistant coach, Geertsma coordinated practice drills, managed scouting reports and directed the defense. In the two years that Geertsma was in Phoenix, Scottsdale Christian compiled a 55-3 overall record, while winning the 2010 Arizona State Championship and finishing 3rd in the state in 2009. In addition to his duties as assistant for the Varsity Boys team, Geertsma also served as the 8th grade boys head coach, guiding the team to an 18-2 overall record and a conference championship. “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 continue learning more about Jesus and more ways to make 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 our coaching staff here at the high school 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.”
To contact Brett, email him at bgeertsma@pottershouseschool.org or give him a call at 616.249.8050 ext. 206.
