WMC Enjoys New Beginnings on Campus
This spring, with less than typical pomp and circumstance due to the constraints of the pandemic, WMC celebrated the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art soccer and baseball field.
In most cases, events such as the start of a construction project are commemorated with an official groundbreaking event where the entire WMC community would be invited, however, given the ongoing pandemic, it was decided that we would hold a “virtual” groundbreaking instead.
Knowing that many of you would have wanted to be part of this event, we captured it on video. See below:
Below is a rendering to help illustrate the work that is underway.
Since the groundbreaking day on June 9, 2020, the construction crews have cleared the land that sits to the west of the Norton Shores campus to make way for the soccer and baseball field. It’s so exciting to see the progress!
For the first time in school history, both of WMC’s soccer and baseball teams will have home games on our campus. This will allow our students to support their classmates in a way that has not been previously possible since prior to this, baseball and soccer home fields were located off-site.
For the first time in school history, both of WMC’s soccer and baseball teams will have home games on our campus. This will allow our students to support their classmates in a way that has not been previously possible since prior to this, baseball and soccer home fields were located off-site.
WMC Boys Soccer
The roots of the Warrior soccer program harken back to the fall of 1968. In the beginning, the WMC mens soccer team was a member of the 6-C Soccer League with Grand Rapids Christian, Holland Christian, Unity Christian, Calvin Christian, and Kalamazoo Christian.
The boys soccer team claimed the State Championship in 1988, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2019.
In 1982, 1983, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2011 Warriors came up short as the runner up.
WMC Girls Soccer
The Warrior girls soccer program started in 1989 with an intramural team. That team blazed the trail for the first varsity girls soccer season in 1990. Nine years later the program achieved state runner up!
(source: The Torch 1990, WMC’s yearbook archive)
(source: The Torch 1989, WMC’s yearbook archive)
(source: The Torch 1990, WMC’s yearbook archive)
Both of WMC’s soccer coaches for the 2020-2021 school year are new to the post, so they will be the first to enjoy coaching on the new home soccer field. Boys soccer coach Coach Buursma shared, “These fields are going to be an amazing addition to the WMC campus. I am excited for the athletes and fans and the WMC community to enjoy the facility. I know a lot of prayer, planning, and financial resources went into making this portion of the campus plan a reality, and it’s incredible to see it come to fruition.”
…a lot of prayer, planning, and financial resources went into making this portion of the campus plan a reality, and it’s incredible to see it come to fruition.
WMC’s new girls soccer coach, Kevin Butler, “The multi-sport complex is incredibly exciting for the players as well as the coaches. I know the girls can’t wait to experience the training and playing environment in this new facility, to welcome their supporting fans into the complex, and thank the WMC families for their strong support of sports through a Christian perspective.”
The multi-sport complex is incredibly exciting for the players as well as the coaches. I know the girls can’t wait to experience the training and playing environment in this new facility, to welcome their supporting fans into the complex, and thank the WMC families for their strong support of sports through a Christian perspective.
WMC Baseball
The baseball program started at WMC back in 1951. The first time baseball was featured in The Torch (WMC’s yearbook archives) was in 1952.
Warrior baseball clinched the state championship in 1985 and they were runner up in 1980.
“I’m extremely excited to have Warrior baseball being played on campus next spring. It will provide an opportunity to strengthen the community feel where students and staff are only a short walk to watch us play,” shares Varsity baseball coach Mark Hill.
I’m extremely excited to have Warrior baseball being played on campus next spring. It will provide an opportunity to strengthen the community feel where students and staff are only a short walk to watch us play.
“Seeing the WMC community come together and provide the necessary support to make this project happen has been incredible. For the last several years there have been so many hands involved. To see this vision come to fruition is an example of how exceptional the WMC community is. Our athletic department is grateful for the opportunity to have a facility of this stature for our coaches and athletes. The WMC student-athletes are excited and ready to put these fields to use,” explains Western Michigan Christian Athletic Director, Kurt Gruppen.
WMC promises to incur absolutely no debt for any of these projects and we will have 105% of the required funds in hand for any part of the project to commence. We’re eternally grateful for the generosity of our community that has allowed for these exciting developments.
