Broene, Greg (2025)

Greg Broene was a two-sport athlete and a 1970 graduate of Central Christian High School.  He earned six varsity letters in his three years of high school and was the recipient of the 1970 E.R. Post Award, an honor given to the school’s top athlete.

Greg played guard for three years on the varsity basketball team for Hall of Fame coach Ken Zandee.  He was named team captain and team MVP his senior year.  He was an All-City player in 1969 and 1970 and named honorable mention All-State Class B his senior year.  Greg scored 845 career points as an Eagle and was selected to Central Christian’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Basketball Team.  He was also awarded the 1970 Dan Nameth Memorial Award, given by the West Michigan Officials Association for “dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship.”  Greg’s favorite basketball memories include a come-from-behind win over the #3 ranked Union Red Hawks in overtime (1970), and a victory over the East Christian Panthers in the 1970 District Finals.

Greg also excelled on the tennis court and played three years on the varsity team for Coach Ken Zandee.  He played #2 singles his sophomore and junior years and played #1 singles his senior year.  His high school career win/loss record was 44-12.  In high school state tournament play, he was a quarter finalist at #1 doubles (with Tom Kreuze) in 1969, and quarter finalist at #1 singles in 1970.  He was named team captain and team MVP his senior year.

Greg attended Calvin College where he earned a BA degree in Business Economics in 1974.  He played both basketball and tennis for the Knights. Three games into his college basketball career, Greg fractured and dislocated his left kneecap. The injury prevented the 6’1” guard from playing for the balance of the freshman season and for his entire sophomore year. But as a junior, Broene started on a team that would share the 1972-73 MIAA title with Olivet.  The following year, the Calvin squad posted a 21-2 overall record, including a perfect 12-0 MIAA mark.  One of Broene’s biggest contributions was at the free throw line.  That year he connected on 92% of his attempts and set the Calvin single-season record that stood for 36 years. Broene was named team captain and honorable mention to the All-MIAA Team his senior year.  

Greg was also a standout on Calvin’s men’s tennis team. He played #2 singles and #1 doubles (with Mark Van Faasen) his freshman year.  His last three years, he played #1 singles and #1 doubles. He and his playing partner, Dick Frens were 3-time City College champions, and Greg was the #1 singles champion in 1974.  Greg ended his career with an overall record of 62-32. He was named team captain in 1972, 1973, and 1974, and was selected to the MIAA All-Conference Team in 1973.  He was also the recipient of the MIAA’s Allen B. Stowe Memorial Sportsmanship Award his senior year.

In addition, Broene was a student representative to the MIAA Athletics Committee and was the 1974 Joe Bere Memorial Award winner (honoring Calvin’s outstanding student-athlete) at the conclusion of his senior year. 

After his playing days, Greg served as the girls varsity basketball coach at East Grand Rapids in 1975.  He was also an assistant tennis coach for the GRC Eagles from 1994-2002.  During that time, he had the privilege of coaching his daughters, Sara and Bethany.

Greg worked at Steelcase in Sales and Marketing for 46 years (1974-2020). He also served as GRC High School Board president and as chairman of the Gainey Athletic Oversight Committee.  He is now retired and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Betsy.  They have four children: Sara Broene, Kevin (Stephanie) Broene, Scott (Leslie) Broene, and Bethany (Owen) Thilly. They have eight grandchildren.  In his free time Greg enjoys golf, tennis, and biking.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:6,7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.