Our History
The Grandville Athletic Boosters Club was formed in the fall of 1966 by a group of citizens with the purpose to “Stimulate community interest and enthusiasm among those engaged in sports at the Grandville High School”. The earliest records of the club show that the founders worked to obtain better playing facilities, create an emergency medical fund, provide coaching aides and sponsor an all-sports banquet, among other things.
One of the earliest projects completed by the club was the purchase and installation of lights at the present Davies Field, now called the middle school complex, located on Wilson Avenue. The club also funded the first rubberized track around the middle school facility. More recently, the boosters provided partial funding for the baseball and softball press box buildings at the high school. These and many other projects have been funded by the club over the years with the cooperation of school administration, other booster club members and the contributions of many area citizens through tireless fundraising efforts.
That spirit of promoting sports and engaging our community is alive and well with today’s club.
The first Grandville Athletic Boosters meeting was held on October 2, 1966. Those elected to the first 10-person board included:
Bruce Ormiston, vice president
Henry VanderMolen, treasurer
Ken Savage, secretary
Jack Sousley, recording secretary
Ted Zondervan
Bill Brinks
Bill Scott
Russ Denton
Ed Blake
Special thanks to Larry K. Woodburn for his contributions to the history of the boosters with additional information coming from the October 27, 1966, issue of The Grandville Star newspaper.
Hall of FameIn 1977, the Grandville Athletic Boosters created the Hall of Fame to recognize outstanding athletes and coaches from Grandville High School. Athletes must be out of high school for 4 years and coaches must be retired from their sport. We are proud to share with you our list of Hall of Fame members. |
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Year Inducted
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1977 – Russ Waters (deceased)
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1977 – Fred Johnson
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1978 – Benny McCoy
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1978 – Doug Wyn
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1979 – William Dudas
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1980 – Keith Little
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1981 – Edwin Taylor (deceased)
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1982 – Fred Van Hartesveldt (deceased)
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1986 – Rex Roseman
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1987 – James DeRidder
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1988 – Gary Bastien
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1989 – Shawn Whitcomb
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1990 – Jerry Takas
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1991 – Randy Palmitier
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1992 – Shawn Elkins
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1993 – Kelly VanderMolen
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1994 – Brent Gates
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1995 – Terry Johnson
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2000 – Tom Krepps
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2000 – Pat Whitcomb
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2003 – Steve Capon (deceased)
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2003 – Kathy Witucki-Nystrom
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2004 – Mark VanderMey
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2008 – Kristen Koetsier-Miller
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2014 – Doug Throop
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