VanDyken, Scott (2013)

Scott VanDyken is a 1974 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School.  He began his high school career at Central Christian and then played his junior and senior years as a GRCH Eagle after East Christian merged with Central Christian in 1972. He was one of several elite athletes in a very talented class at GRCH. Scott was a three-sport athlete, earning seven varsity letters, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. Scott played for five GRCH Hall of Fame coaches (Ken Zandee, Rich Schrotenboer, Bill Holwerda, Jeff Pettinga, and Arnie Baker).

In football, Scott was the Central Christian Junior Varsity MVP and was a member of the only team in CC football history to go undefeated, including five shutouts.  At GRCH he quarterbacked an extremely talented varsity team composed of only juniors and seniors, none of whom played both offense and defense.  After starting the season 3-2, they outscored their opponents 128-24, winning the last four games of the season to finish 7-2.  Scott was a two-year varsity letter winner and team captain his senior year.  He was named to the All-City Team and was a recipient of the West Michigan Football All-Stars Award his senior year.  

In basketball, Scott was considered one of the top outside shooters in the league and the GRCH Eagles were City League Champions his senior year.   He was a two-year varsity letter winner and an All-City selection his junior year.  His junior and senior years, the Eagles posted a 42-8 record while advancing to the State Quarterfinals both years.

In baseball, Scott was a three-year varsity letter winner.  He pitched and played outfield.  In his senior year he was named to the All-City Team and the John Bos All-Star Team.  One of his favorite memories was playing in the John Bos game with future major leaguer, Dave Rosema.  In that game Scott played centerfield and went 2-for-2, batting in the tying and winning runs. He then pitched the last inning of the game to get the save.

Scott attended Grand Valley State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1978.  He was awarded a full scholarship to play football, however after just one year, his football career was cut short by injuries.  He changed course and became an outstanding baseball player at GVSU.  He was a four-year letter winner and three-time All-GLIAC conference player.  The Lakers were conference champions his senior year and Scott threw the first no-hitter in school history in the last game of his career in the NAIA Regional Tournament.  He finished his college career with several GVSU pitching records, including wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, and decisions.  He was inducted into the GVSU Hall of Fame in 2009 and was the first athlete to attend GVSU on scholarship for one sport (football) but enter the Hall of Fame for another sport (baseball).  He was named the 2008 GVSU Alumnus of the Year.

After college, Scott worked at Van Dyken Mechanical, Inc. for 35 years, continuing the legacy his father started.  He is now retired.  Scott also helped to start the 78ers program for Calvin Christian High School Football and helped start the GVSU Football Alumni Association.

Scott is married to Sue (Rodenhouse) and they have two married children, Erin (Adam) Magers and Kurt (Ashley) VanDyken.  They have seven grandchildren.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  I Peter 4:10