Holstege, Todd (2018)

Todd is a 1979 alumnus of GRCH who excelled in football, basketball, and track. Todd earned seven varsity letters in those sports at a time when GRCH was a 3-year high school.

In football, Todd was known as a punishing runner on offense and an intimidating tackler on defense. Playing for fellow Hall of Fame member Coach Bill “Moose” Holwerda, Todd earned Honorable Mention All-City in his junior year, leading the team in tackles at his inside linebacker position. In his senior season he was the starting tailback and linebacker, leading the team in yards rushing, touchdowns, and tackles. Todd was team captain and MVP, was selected to the All-City League first team, and as linebacker was named All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State. Todd was the first football player in GRCH history to receive any kind of All-State recognition in football.

In basketball, Todd’s JV season, coached by Hall of Fame member Rich Schrotenboer, was highly successful. One highlight was a game in which the team came back from being behind by 7 points with 41 seconds remaining in the game, yet winning by 3 without going into overtime. He was a two-year starter on the varsity team coached by Hall of Fame member Ken Zandee. In his senior year he was the team captain and was named first team All-City League.

In track, Todd was a varsity letter winner in all three of his high school years. In his sophomore season he was a member of the 880-yard relay team which set a school record that lasted for 34 years. That relay team helped the track team win the Regional Championship and then finished 6th in the State Meet. Todd was the leading point scorer for the track teams in his junior and senior seasons. In his senior year, he participated in the State Meet in both the shotput and 880 relay.

In 1979, Todd was selected by the GRCH varsity coaches for the honor of the Male Eagle Athlete of the Year.

Todd played varsity football at Hope College all four of his college years. He was a varsity letter winner each year, one of only two in his graduating class to do so. In his freshman and sophomore seasons Todd was second

on the team in running yardage. He led the Dutchmen in rushing yardage for the next two seasons, earning All-MIAA first team honors in each of those years. He was named MIAA Player of the Week five times during those two seasons, in which Hope won the MIAA Championship. In his senior year, Todd was team captain, team MVP and the MIAA league MVP. He is in the top 7 in career rushing yardage at Hope, and still holds the career record of 5.9 yards per carry.

After his final college season, Todd was scouted by the NFL Scouting Bureau and his name was placed on the 1983 NFL draft list. Although not drafted, he was offered free agent tryouts by five NFL teams and was offered a two-year contract by the World Football League. Todd turned down those opportunities to begin his teaching and coaching career.

Todd has enjoyed a 34-year career in education, beginning by teaching elementary PE at Valley Christian School in California, then at Creston Christian School (at that time a member of GRCS) where he was also the Athletic Director for 11 years, and now at Emmons Lake Elementary School in the Caledonia Community Schools. His varsity football team at Valley Christian won the State Championship, and he has been part of coaching staffs that won league championships at Valley Christian, GRCH, and Caledonia. Todd was the head or assistant coach for a total of 72 different teams. He says that of particular pleasure to him has been that he coached all of his children in two or more sports.

Todd’s two sons Tyler and Grant are GRCH alumni, and he and wife Kimberly have three children Spencer, Sailor, and Sawyer. One of Todd’s favorite memories of GRCH is hanging with friends in what was famously known as “the Corner.” He notes that he was coached by all of the male coaches currently in the Eagle Hall of Fame.

Todd’s Favorite Bible Verse

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
since you know that will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24