Sand Lake High School Girls Basketball team 1957. Back row (L to R): N. Boyztat; L. Hawley; J. Shears; M. Pierson; J. Elder; N. VanKirk; S. Bryant; Agnes Szflarski. Center row: R. Simpson; Mrs. Hackbardt (coach); M. Morris; K. Taylor; S. Stinson; M. Grimes; S. Nagelhout; J. Shears. Seated: B. Ludtke; S. Rau; L. Patin; M. Fry; B. Dickerson; D. Hanes.

Two former coaches will speak at the Sand Lake Alumni banquet on June 9, 2018. 

Jane Hackbart started as an elementary teacher, girls basketball coach, and cheerleading coach in Sand Lake. Later, she was a teacher and guidance counselor at Tri County Schools.

1963 NCAA Jr. Varsity League Champs. Won 13 lost 3. Front row (L to R): Bob Miller; Pat Bush; Fred Nix; Dale Inman; Aire Ryno; Dewight Perkin; Rocky Deboer. Back row (L to R): Manager Jim Kuhlman; Tom Pressley; Bill Ludtke; Mike Princer; Greg Patin; Don Anderson; Jack Miller; Bob Moore; Ken Kruger; Darrell Croff; Coach Wayne Watts.

Wayne Watts graduated from Sand Lake High School in 1945. For 47 years he was a high school teacher and a coach. He taught at Tri County and Morley-Stanwood and was a summer American Legion baseball coach. Watts also coached at both Alma and Ferris State. He spent 9 years as a scout for the Detroit Tigers, covering all the schools west of U.S. 131 in Michigan.

Coach Watts is in twelve Hall of Fames. Currently, he and his son, Bruce Watts, own an orchard and produce store in Howard City.

Both teachers will share their memories at the banquet, which will be held at Resurrection Lutheran in Sand Lake. Social hour is at 5 p.m,, with dinner at 6 p.m. The meal is $13. If you are interested in attending, please call Dave Groner at 616-557-3098.

Dave Schlump (left), of Cedar Springs, receiving the 2016 BCAM Men’s Junior College Coach of the Year award.

The Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) recently named Dave Schlump, of Cedar Springs, as the 2016 BCAM Men’s Junior College Coach of the Year. The prestigious award comes after the Muskegon Community College (MCC) men’s basketball team, where Schlump serves as head coach, ended their 2015-16 season, with an overall record of 24-7 and a 2^nd place finish in the MCC Athletic Association Western Conference.

The MCC Jayhawks were ranked 8^th in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJAA) DII final poll, after starting the season unranked. They were the Region 12 District 9 tournament runner-up, losing a hard fought battle 87-90 to Lansing Community College in the finals. Four of Coach Schlump’s players earned All-Conference honors, with another being named to the All-Defensive Team.

According to MCC, Schlump started his coaching career at Evart High School and Kent City High School. In 1991, he accepted the position of Varsity Basketball Coach at Cedar Springs High School (CSHS). Cedar Springs had suffered through a 30 game losing streak spanning over the two previous seasons. During his first season he, along with his coaching staff and the athletes, were immediately able to halt the losing streak. From there he began to build the foundation for a successful high school basketball program.

“Throughout my 14 seasons at Cedar Springs, I was fortunate to coach many outstanding basketball players, and more importantly, outstanding young men,” remarked Coach Schlump. “I have been pleased to send many of these players to the college level to continue their educational and playing careers.”

At the conclusion of the 2003-2004 season, Schlump felt he was ready for the next challenge in his coaching career. He pursued an Assistant Coach position at Ferris State University (FSU), where he had previously earned his Bachelor’s Degree. While at FSU he helped the program achieve success in the GLIAC. During his time there, the Bulldogs won a Conference Championship and advanced to the Sweet 16 nationally. While at Ferris he gained valuable experience with the overall operation of a college basketball program. This experience includes recruiting and prospective player evaluations, along with day-to-day practice organization and individual skill development.

Coach Schlump retired from Cedar Springs Public Schools, but still lives in the community with his wife of 30 years, Teresea. They have three children: Josh, Elyse, who is an assistant women’s basketball coach at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and Dan.

MCC Athletic Director Marty McDermott was quick to congratulate Schlump and said, “Dave has been a tremendous advocate for basketball at all levels throughout his career and continues to help student-athletes reach their basketball and career goals.”

When asked what this award means to Schlump, he humbly replied, “This means a lot coming from fellow coaches. It all stems from having great players and assistant coaches.” Currently, Jimmy Booth, a 2004 CSHS graduate, serves as both Schlump’s Assistant Coach and an Assistant Athletic Director.

Andrew Secor

By Judy Reed

Cedar Springs Public Schools is saying goodbye to another administrator. Andrew Secor, principal at Cedar View and an 18-year employee of the district, is leaving to become principal at Jamestown Upper Elementary for Hudsonville Public Schools.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in Cedar Springs as a coach, teacher, and principal,” said Secor.

He was just 22-years old and fresh out of college when he landed a job at Cedar Springs Public Schools as assistant varsity basketball coach to Dave Schlump.

“I coached for 14 years, six as Dave’s assistant and eight as the head coach. I was fortunate to work with so many great players, as we won 10 district titles and three league championships during that time frame. One of my favorite memories of that time was working with an amazing coach staff that had such deep Cedar Springs pride,” he remarked.

Two years after being hired as assistant basketball coach, Secor was hired as a teacher at Cedar Trails. He taught at Cedar Trails for six years, then Beach for four years. He then became assistant principal at Cedar Trails for two years, and was a principal at Cedar View for four years.

“I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of educators, and thousands of students and parents,” noted Secor. “The mark they have left on me will last forever. I have had some amazing mentors and role models from within this community that have helped to grow me as a leader and as a man.”

The Post asked what were some of Secor’s favorite moments and what will he miss? “My favorite moments are all about people,” he explained. “This is truly the best profession in the world and it’s all founded on relationships. I will remember the daily interactions with students, the great administrative team I was a part of, and working with teachers to provide the best possible education for students. The people of this community is what drew me in and the people of this community are what I will miss the most. Some of my greatest friends and mentors live right here in Cedar Springs.”

He also had some kind words for the people that work at Cedar View. “I am so proud of the staff at Cedar View. It is a talented, smart, and dedicated group that I am going to miss dearly. They bought into the vision I had for the building, we accomplished some amazing things, and they will continue to accomplish many more.”

The Post also asked Secor what words he might have for the community. “While it saddens me that many outstanding educators have left the district recently, this is a strong staff and community which will continue to serve students to the best of their ability,” he said.

How does Secor want people to remember him? “I pray that I have left a meaningful and positive impact on those around me. Through the celebrations and challenges of the last 18 years, I have always done everything I could to help students and players, both academically as well as emotionally. The reason this profession is the greatest in the world is that it is all about relationships and the daily opportunity you have to make the lives of people around you better. That is what drove me everyday, to help teachers, parents, and students, have a better life and to make Cedar Springs the best school district we possibly could be.”

Andy Secor and family

While sad to be leaving Cedar Springs, Secor is excited about what his  new position has to offer. “It is an amazing opportunity for my family and I. Hudsonville has a dynamic administrative team, I get to work with an outstanding principal who is at Jamestown Lower Elementary, and all I hear about is how amazing the Jamestown teaching staff is. Jamestown is ranked in the 99th percentile for student achievement in the state of Michigan and I relish the opportunity to lead a new team that has already accomplished so much.”

He also said that he and his wife are excited about the academic and athletic opportunities that Hudsonville will provide their children. But he doesn’t take for granted what they have been given here.

“It has been a great place for my children to receive a high quality education, while being cared for and loved, and making lifelong friends. I don’t take for granted the impact that teachers, principals, and community members have played in helping my children to become better people. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in their lives,” he remarked.

“My family and I are excited for the next chapter of our journey as we head to Hudsonville. But Cedar Springs will forever have a place in our hearts.”