Alex Steward Story

Just Another Runner’s Story June 2025 Written by Gale Fischer

A Diamond in the Rough

“Success is not a comparison of what we have done with what others have done. It is simply coming up to the level of our best, making the most of our abilities and possibilities.”

—-Jerry Horner

Possibilities exist for all, but often times seem out of reach. We are all born with an innate potential, but many underestimate the extent of what they can accomplish. Even the most successful among us has untapped potential that remains unrealized. It is essential to strike a balance between not comparing our achievements to those of others while not placing limits on the individual goals we want to pursue. This month’s featured runner, Alex Steward, spent five years as a student athlete running for Hastings Area Schools. He was one of the slowest members of his team during his first few years and was fine with this, but eventually he decided he wanted to improve. Although he progressed, as a high cross-country athlete, his potential remained untapped. He would eventually find the formula to compete at a higher level after graduating from high school. 

Alex always enjoyed running as a young child. He reflected on his initial experience with athletics. “I played soccer when I was in elementary school. I really didn’t want to, but my parents signed me up.” Soccer provided plenty of opportunities for Alex to run, but it wasn’t a sport that he had a passion for. “When I was in eighth grade, I decided to try cross-country. Running was something that I enjoyed, so I thought cross-country might be fun. I developed a love for it immediately.” 

Alex touched on how the competitive edge that exists for him now was not there early on. “I was pretty slow. I recall my first race in middle school was around 22 minutes for two miles. My best two-mile run in middle school was around 16 minutes. I didn’t necessarily care how fast I was; I just loved running and being part of the team. It became a social thing. Many of my teammates became my friends.”

During his first few years as a cross-country runner, Alex only ran during the season. “During the off-season, I really wasn’t active at all,” Alex explained. “As I transitioned from my sophomore year to my junior year, I began running year-round. Because of an injury, my times were slower during my sophomore year than in my freshman year, with a season best of  23 minutes, 8 seconds for the 5K distance, my freshman season, and 25 minutes, 11 seconds, my sophomore year.” Going more than two minutes slower compared to his freshman year was a tough pill for Alex to swallow.  “I was tired of being slow, so I thought it would help to train year-round.”

Running during the off-season wasn’t the only change for Alex as a runner during the last half of his high school career. “I seemed to pick up more strategies, techniques, and nuances as a runner every year I ran,” Alex recalled.  “Eventually, I was always looking to improve.”  Alex’s hard work and commitment to his sport began to pay off. He made a more than four-minute drop from his sophomore year with a season-best time of 20 minutes, 59 seconds as a junior. He was able to shave off another two minutes for his senior season, setting his high school personal record that year with a time of 18 minutes, 24 seconds. 

As passionate as Alex was about running, he didn’t participate in track until his senior season. A friend of his talked him into joining the track team. He stuck to the long-distance races with a personal best of 5 minutes, 14 seconds for the 1600-meter race, and a personal best of 11 minutes, 14 seconds for the 3200-meter race.

Alex had always planned to attend college after finishing high school, but he didn’t necessarily focus on continuing his running career at the next level. He opted to start at Kellogg Community College (KCC) for two years before moving on to a four-year school. KCC offered a cybersecurity program, which was something that Alex was interested in. He explained the process of joining KCC’s cross-country team. “My high school coach, Mr. Collins, encouraged me to pursue running for KCC.” Alex didn’t reach out to Tom Shaw, KCC’s cross-country coach, but he didn’t necessarily need to. “Coach Collins put me in contact with Coach Shaw at KCC. Coach Shaw showed up at one of my track meets during my senior year.” Coach Shaw had an inkling that Alex would be a strong runner for 8 kilometers, the race distance for college men, but probably couldn’t have predicted the growth he would make as a runner. He talked Alex into joining the team, although it didn’t take much convincing. “He told me he wanted me to run for  KCC’s cross-country team, Alex recalled. “He felt that I would make a great transition from the 5K distance to the 8K distance. After this conversation, I decided that I would run for KCC, since I knew that I was already going there as a student.” Competing as a college athlete and bonding with teammates may have appealed to Alex, but this was not the main reason for continuing to compete as a runner. He felt he still had room to grow and develop. There seemed to be no better way to do this than to learn from collegiate coaches and be pushed by collegiate runners. 

It seemed that immediately after graduating from Hastings High School in June of 2023, Alex shifted his focus to KCC cross-country. Classes would not begin until the end of August, and Alex trained on his own much of the summer while waiting to join his coaches and teammates for official practices the first week in August. He began implementing the training schedules developed and suggested by KCC's coaches in the first few weeks of June. He was all in for effort and hard work. One aspect of the training schedules that Alex wasn’t immediately sold on was the utilization of recovery days and easy runs. His line of thought was more about hard effort for every run, but eventually, he would buy into the importance of rest and recovery. Alex shared his thought process as he transitioned from high school athlete to collegiate athlete. “My goal going into my freshman season was to break 30 minutes for the 8K distance. This would require me to maintain my 5K personal record (PR) pace for another three kilometers.” Alex was willing to put in the work and expected to see results immediately, but he would have to remain patient. “Initially, after implementing my new training schedule, I wasn’t sure I could meet my goal. My speed work training times weren’t translating to what I was targeting, which was a 6-minute per mile pace for five miles. This discouraged me somewhat. Mentally, it was hard. I wanted to work hard, but also felt that I was working hard and still wasn’t getting the results that I had anticipated.”

Despite feeling a little discouraged, Alex continued to work hard, and he eventually experienced the fruits of his labor. He talked about his first race at a new distance. “In my first 8K race, I cleared a mental hurdle. I was able to break 30 minutes for this race, and my 5K split was faster than my 5K PR.” This race provided Alex with a huge mental and emotional boost. “This race gave me a great amount of confidence and made me want to continue to work hard. I had taken things seriously up to this point, and this race made me want to take my training even more seriously. This time also qualified me to run in the nationals.”  Alex had reached his goal early in the season, so it was time to up the ante. “After my first 8K race, I thought that I might be able to chip away and finish under 29 minutes. I was able to get a PR mid-season in a race in Ancilla, Indiana, with a time of 28 minutes, 35 seconds.”

The transition from high school student and athlete to collegiate student and athlete was positive for Alex. He reflected on this. “Running my freshman year at KCC was fun. I enjoyed competing at nationals and as a college athlete. I also realized that I liked competing at distances longer than 5K. I thrived on the transition as a student from high school to college. I wasn’t tied to school all day and liked the flexibility of showing up to classes and studying, and running in between these times.” With his mentality of always trying to improve as a runner, Alex didn’t have much downtime during the offseason between his freshman and sophomore years at KCC. He talked about getting ready for the next season of cross-country. “After my freshman year, I made two goals going into my sophomore season. I wanted to go under 27 minutes, 45 seconds, and I wanted to earn All-American status. I was able to hit my PR near the end of my sophomore season with a time of 27 minutes, 45 seconds at a race in Muskegon, but was unable to earn All-American status at nationals. I was KCC's number two for the entire season. I enjoyed having our number one runner, Julian, pace me during our practices.” 

Alex has left a legacy as a KCC runner. He currently sits at number 5 on the all-time leader board with his PR of 27 minutes, 45 seconds for the 8K. The improvement he has made over the last two years is phenomenal. He ran an 8K race at 20 seconds per mile faster than his high school 5K PR. Alex reflected on how he has been able to make such a significant improvement. “I’d say my commitment, willingness to learn, and I guess my understanding of running have led to my success. I definitely got better from upping my mileage and following an actual training schedule. Learning from our coaches and the training plans developed by one of our assistant coaches, Rob Lillie, has played a major role in my getting faster. Developing an understanding of running and knowing when to take it easy and when to run hard has allowed me to avoid major injuries while also increasing my speed. Learning about what heart rate zone to train in for specific types of runs has improved my efficiency as a runner.” Alex followed up his KCC cross-country career this spring with a top 5 finish at the Kalamazoo Ziegler Half Marathon with a finish time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 28 seconds.

Coach Shaw trusts the science of running and how it can help his runners reach their potential, but even with this confidence in the system, what Alex accomplished during his two years running under him has surprised him. Shaw gave his assessment of Alex. “Alex is a self-made runner who has dedicated himself to being the best he can be. He came to us as an average high school runner and followed our protocol. He worked hard in the weight room. Where he started and where he finished two years later is nothing short of incredible. He has been self-motivated, shown high academic performance, been a quiet leader who has led by example, and willed himself into being a top ten career runner at KCC. All of these things have made him a perfect college athlete. I couldn’t be more impressed and proud of him.”

Alex will be transferring to Ferris State in the fall to earn a degree in cybersecurity, while living at home and taking classes virtually for the fall semester. He will continue to train and run some races unattached. He would like to run at Ferris State during his senior year. He talked about his future in running after college.  “I will continue to run even after I am finished with college. I enjoy making progress and improving my speed and want to continue to evolve as a runner.”

Alex has learned much from the ups and downs he has experienced as a runner through high school and college. He shared his advice for other student athletes. “As a student, I have always felt that it is important that academic comes before athletics. As a runner, my advice is not to run every training run hard. Your body needs rest and recovery.”

There are many factors that exist for each of us to rise to our potential. The desire to achieve a specific goal is always the catalyst. From there, being willing to put in the work and follow a thought-out plan is necessary. If you do all of these things, trust the process and believe in yourself, then the possibilities are there. Alex’s story shows us what can happen when all of these things come together.

Everyone has a story.  Stay tuned next month for another runner’s story.

Never Running In Pain

Just Another Runner’s Perspective May 2025 Written by Gale Fischer

Never Running In Pain

“If you’re looking for pain and misery while running… you’ll find it. And if you’re looking for joy and happiness while running… you’ll find it.”

—- Michael D’Aulerio

October 18, 1998: Fatigue and extreme lower body muscle soreness began to set in. Another ten miles lay between me and the finish line, for this, my first marathon. I had experienced similar feelings of physical agony during all of my long training runs. My body was sending me ongoing signals to stop, but my mind continued to intervene. 

The mental power that we possess as human beings is amazing and often times goes untapped. There are individual examples of mental resolve in all facets of life. These occurrences are plentiful in the world of endurance sports. Each of us has experienced this phenomenon personally as part of our personal running journey and also witnessed examples of this among members of the running community.

With more than two hours left on my feet, I dug deep into my soul to cover the remaining ten miles. It was difficult to ignore the physical distress, but my mind began to bargain with my body to simply keep moving forward one step at a time. There were walking intervals followed by some running, and then more walking. This slow agonizing pattern continued. As time dragged on, moments rose to the surface when it seemed that every part of my body hurt, but my mind remained strong, and as a result, I was rewarded with occasional periods of euphoria. When I crossed the finish line more than four and a half hours after starting, my mind was flooded with endorphins. My body may have been beaten to a pulp, but I never ran in pain. 

The physical discomfort associated with running longer distances requires a give and take. One must learn to identify when to keep moving and when to stop, so that injury or long-term damage is avoided. The thrill is sometimes found while teetering on the edge. To survive and run another day, this line in the sand must be drawn, but if one can identify where their perceived threshold is personally, and then push through to another level, then amazing things will happen. The impossible occurs when taking on the mindset to slog through the misery to finish what has been started. It’s not always easy to discern what is a normal running soreness and what is an injury that requires rest, but anyone who has run longer distances surely knows that running is never easy or lacking in torment. The mind will often erase the pain.

So, how does one take on this challenge of training for and running longer distances? The work must be put in. There are training plans to follow, nutrition to be taken in, and rest and recovery to be had. These nuances are all part of the science of running. As important as the methodologies of running are, to experience success and satisfaction as a runner, reaching beyond the scientific realm is key. 

The joy that many of us partake in when running, the high that is chased, and the passion that many have for the sport are truly special. Not everyone is fortunate enough to experience running in this way. Running is not for everyone. One may be blessed with talent, possess the traits of hard work and dedication, and understand the health benefits of a running routine, but to truly tune out the physical discomfort of running that is unavoidable, there must be a state of mind that makes the joy a possibility.

For those lucky enough to be blessed with a strong passion for running, you know who you are. The sense of accomplishment and confidence gained from running longer distances is part of the formula, but there is more. Running provides mental clarity, calms the human soul when emotions are on overload, provides a rush for the mind when affections are not so high, helps one to sort through the problems of daily life if needed, or provides the opportunity to forget these problems for a snippet of time if the soul craves a break. It is rare to run without physical discomfort, but the potential for the mind to block out the physical anguish and dish out a dose of internal bliss is where the payoff often lies. 

If running is an important part of your life and something you have developed a deep passion for, never take it for granted. Each mile is a blessing. There are always moments when running can hurt, but if you’re lucky, your heart and soul will never run in pain.

Until next time, this has been just another runner’s perspective.

Jim Robinson Story

 An Investment in Our Youth

“Giving back to the communities and institutions that helped us achieve success is a value we share and a privilege we embrace.”

—Dinesh Paliwal

At its basic elements, our school district is comprised of physical space that can be identified on a map, including land, school buildings, and other structures laid out on each campus. Without our facilities, I suppose it would be difficult to operate as a learning institution, but at the core, it is the people, including students and staff, who truly define the heart and soul of Harper Creek Community Schools. Our work family is made up of many individuals organized in multiple layers, including those who work with students directly and others who keep operations not tied directly to teaching our students, running smoothly. This month’s Harper Unsung Hero, Jim Robinson, has been in charge of our maintenance and groundskeeping crew for more than two decades. Although during the day, his job has him managing the physical structures on each campus, he has also given his time to mentoring our students. 

Jim has been a part of the Harper Creek community for much of his life. He reflected on his early years and when he first became a Harper Creek student. “I was born in 1966 in Battle Creek, the oldest of two siblings. My sister Cassie is three years younger than me.” Jim and Cassie lived with their father, Lee Robinson, in Battle Creek, where Jim attended Franklin Elementary for his first three years of school before the three of them moved across town. “We relocated, moving within Harper Creek School District in 1975, and I transitioned to Sonoma Elementary beginning in third grade.”

Jim enjoyed being active outside as a child. He participated in Boy Scouts starting in fourth grade and continued with this through his freshman year of high school. He went on camping excursions each summer with the Boy Scouts and was able to earn the Eagle Scout Award during his time scouting. Other childhood memories involve spending time each summer along Lake Michigan with his grandparents, who lived in St. Joe. Boy Scouts and summer days spent on the lake were important childhood experiences for Jim, but sports dictated much of his time. “My sister and I were heavily involved in athletics growing up, starting in elementary school,” Jim explained. “I played baseball with the Harper Creek Optimist Club starting in fourth grade. In junior high, I played flag football. My favorite sport has always been wrestling, which I started in third grade and continued with through high school.” Jim added more sports to his schedule in high school. “I competed in football and wrestling all four years and baseball my freshman, sophomore, and junior years. The spring of my junior year, I was a dual-sport athlete, participating in both track and baseball. As a senior, I gave up baseball and focused on track. I was a team captain my senior year of track.” Jim’s high school coaches had a positive influence on him, which propelled him into various coaching roles for much of his adult life. Some of the coaches Jim mentioned include football coach and high school principal Bill Johanz, track coaches Deb Look and Jeff Williams, and wrestling coach Dave Studer, who still coaches for Harper Creek. Jim threw his hat into the coaching ring when he was still competing in high school. “I started coaching and officiating youth wrestling when I was a sophomore in high school,” Jim recalled. “I continued officiating wrestling at all levels, youth through college, on and off into my early forties.” 

Jim graduated from Harper Creek in 1984 with aspirations of joining the military and serving his country. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as a junior in high school and started basic training right after graduating. Jim reflected on this chapter in his life. “I was on active duty for four years,1984 through 1988. I was stationed in Eltoro, California, and spent some time in Japan and Korea. My platoon was attached to a fighter jet squadron, with my assigned jobs being a hydraulic mechanic and plane captain.” This was a good fit for Jim as he had spent some time as a kid working on cars and tractors with his dad and grandfather. “By the time I graduated from the Marine Corps, I had moved up in ranks to Corporal.” Jim was able to continue his athletic career while in the military, playing softball for two years for one of the West Coast Marine Corps teams.

After completing his stint with the Marines in 1988, Jim moved back to Battle Creek. He talked about his first career after moving back home. “When I returned to Battle Creek, I joined the plumbers and pipefitters union.” Jim's father was a pipefitter, and this seemed like a good career to start in right away.  “I went to work with my dad for Smith Hammond. Smith Hammond helped build Harper Creek’s high school. We started work in 2002, and the new school opened in 2004. This was the last job I worked on for Smith Hammond.” 

Just after the construction of the high school was completed, Smith and Hammond was bought by a bigger company. Jim quickly transitioned to another career. With the new high school now open, there was a job posting for a facility director for Harper Creek. Jim applied and was offered the job. He reflected on working for Harper Creek. “My job description is to oversee all custodians, maintenance staff, and grounds staff. I also manage any new projects that come up, as well as keeping things up to date for the district's safety and security system.”  As Jim segued from working as a pipe fitter to becoming Harper Creek’s facility director, his work experience eased the transition, but there was still a learning curve. “I had very little exposure working with grounds and facilities initially when starting with Harper Creek.” Fortunately, Jim was not on an island. “I have had some good mentors, including John Severson, Rob Ridgeway, and Ed Greenman.” 

Moving from his job as a pipe fitter to working in a school setting was a bit of a culture shock for Jim. The mechanical aspect of working as facilities director was something that he was accustomed to, but having daily interactions with staff and students was new for Jim. “I enjoy dealing with staff and students, but didn’t have this experience in my previous job, so it took some getting used to,” Jim explained. 

With developments in technology and never-ending changes in building codes and procedures, Jim’s job is constantly evolving. He described the ongoing gathering of new information and procedures that go with his job. “It is constant learning. The technology and electronics have changed this. I work with MSBO (Michigan School Business Officials) and meet with facility directors around the state regularly, attending an annual conference which includes food service directors, technology directors, and school superintendents. I also attend a facility directors' conference each year. These conferences are a great way to network with others in my field.” Jim’s typical work hours are Monday through Friday, but he is on call 24/7. His job is not always easy, but this doesn’t stress Jim out. He explained some of the challenges. “Keeping up with all of the codes is constant. There is quite a contrast in our facilities with aged systems in some of our buildings and modern systems in other buildings. Maintaining a wide range of older physical facilities and newer ones can sometimes be tricky.” Other job duties required of Jim include attending board meetings each month, providing a monthly report to the board, and being involved in all bond projects. 

Although he is not witness to the daily moments of excitement that are common in our classrooms, Jim is still able to observe the heart and soul of what makes education an intriguing concept. “The most rewarding part of my job is to see kids learn and excel. It is fun to see them grow.” Seeing the growth and maturation that students go through provides a much-needed balance for Jim in the daily grind of his job. 

Although taking notice of the educational process might not be something required of his job, it is something that has seemed to help him take his responsibilities seriously. It has perhaps given Jim a greater sense of buy-in for the upkeep of our facilities. This mentality has been part of the motivation for Jim in seeking out other opportunities over the course of his career beyond his role as facility director. Jim got a taste for coaching as a teenager when he started working with the youth wrestling program. He continued this journey a few years after completing his military career. “I returned to Harper Creek as a coach upon completion of my commitment to the Marine Corps. In 1988, I joined my former high school wrestling coach, Dave Studer, as an assistant,” Jim recalled. “I continued working under Coach Studer for seven years before going to Battle Creek Central as an assistant varsity coach of their wrestling team from 1995 to 1999.” 

Jim was also an assistant football coach under Ed Greenman for one season before moving up to the press box, working as a statistician for many years for both home and away games. He spent several years on the coaching staff for Harper Creek’s varsity lacrosse program as well. He talked about this. “I started in 2015 as the team’s defensive coach and continued in this role through the 2018 season. I took over as head coach in 2019, serving in this position through the 2022 season. One of the highlights of my time with the lacrosse team was having the opportunity to coach alongside my son Jordan, who was our offensive coordinator for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.”

Athletics were an integral part of Jim’s childhood and high school years, teaching him valuable lessons that would apply to life in general. He explained how his experiences as a student athlete and as a coach are meshed together. “Coaching has always been a good way to give back. Many individuals have helped me in school and athletics when I was younger. I always hope to influence student athletes and keep them grounded.” Jim has been a valuable resource for Harper Creek with his daytime job, but as a coach, he has been able to directly mentor our students. It may have been a way for him to give back, but most who have coached would agree that the rewards go both ways between coach and athlete. 

In recent years, Jim has transitioned out of coaching, still giving of his time to Harper Creek athletics in a way that really seems to suit him well. Jim reflected on his career as an announcer. “I started around 2004 announcing wrestling meets and have been doing our home meets and tournaments since then. I have also had an opportunity to announce numerous tournaments at other locations, including some announcing with Al Miller at the MHSAA Team State Championships when it was held in Battle Creek.” Around the same time that Jim began announcing wrestling matches with Al Miller, he started helping Al in the press box for Harper Creek’s varsity football games. Al was announcing home games, and Jim was a statistician. Soon, he began announcing football. “I started announcing freshman and junior varsity home games around 2009, then became the varsity game day announcer in 2018.” Jim still announces home varsity football games. He has announced for other sports as well.  “I have been Harper Creek’s Lacrosse announcer since I stepped away from being the head coach in 2022. I also fill in as an announcer for Deb Look at home basketball games when needed.” Jim talked about an opportunity to announce another sport. “Several years ago, my son, Tyler, was competing in bull-riding events around the Midwest. While watching him bull ride at a competition, a promoter asked me if I would be interested in announcing for some of the events that he was organizing. I began announcing bull riding events in 2020, and I still continue to do this during the summer months.” Jim has also announced for Girls on the Run, an annual event that Harper Creek has hosted each spring for many years.  

Announcing sporting events may have been something that Jim didn’t anticipate at one time, but it has turned into a great source of joy. “I would like to continue announcing at events as long as I am able, and as long as our athletic director, Mrs. Feasel, wants me to. I enjoy being able to interact with the athletes and the coaching staffs each and every year, and it also helps me to represent Harper Creek the best I can.”

Like their dad, Jim’s three boys have also experienced the impact of the Harper Creek community. “My oldest, Tyler, is 29, Jordan is 26, and  Brady is 20. All three of my kids have gone through Harper Creek, starting at Sonoma. I raised my boys in the same house that I grew up in. I coached Tyler in wrestling and Little League baseball, and Jordan in lacrosse his entire high school career.”

Although Jim devotes much of his time to Harper Creek, he also has interests outside of school. “My wife Tammy and I have been married for a year and a half. Between us, we have six kids. We have a seasonal campsite at Waffle Farms. I enjoy cooking for everyone at the campground, including  grilling and smoking meat.”

Jim’s story is another example of the influence of the Harper Creek community. In managing our facilities and grounds, he is an integral part of keeping the day-to-day operations of the entire school district running smoothly, but he has also left his mark in other ways. The positive experiences during his time as a student and athlete at Harper Creek have fueled his desire in mentoring and coaching our student athletes.

Brenden Van Syckle Story

 For the Love of the Game

“High school sports: Where lessons of life are still being learned, and where athletes still compete for the love of the game and their teammates.”

—Michael Powers

Hobbies can provide an essential element in our lives. Activities of interest, such as music, gardening, and athletics, can help to balance all facets of life. Harper Creek senior, Brenden Van Syckle, has found a hobby that has been a driving force in his life. Football has been a common interest for his mom, Jodi, and dad, Mike, since they met while working at Battle Creek’s Southwestern Junior High in 1998. You could say that they are a football family. For Brenden, football has become something that he has excelled in, but is much more than this. It has given him friendships and taught him lessons that have guided him in his growth and development. His participation in football has provided amazing memories for his family and blessed him and his father with a shared passion and special bond. 

         Brenden was born in May of 2007, the first of two children Jodi and Mike were blessed with. Brenden’s sister, Lily, a freshman at Harper Creek, was born in March 2010. Football has always defined the Van Syckle family. It would eventually take up the majority of Brenden’s free time, starting later in elementary school, but he also had other common childhood interests early in life. He talked about his infatuation with the movie Cars as a toddler. “Lightning McQueen was my first hero. I had the entire Cars set. I was always playing with them. I can remember one time dumping the sugar container in the middle of the living room couch and making roads in the snow. I am still a Cars fan to this day.” If football is the first love of the Van Syckle family, then dogs might be the second. “We have always had dogs,” Brenden explained.  “It may sound cliche, but when I was in elementary school, my dog, Luca Brasi, actually ate my homework once in elementary school.”

Brenden has followed in his father’s footsteps as a competitive high school football player. Mike played on the gridiron as a defensive lineman, back in the eighties, for the Battle Creek Central Bearcats and later for Northwood University. He returned home from Northwood to help coach the Bearcats. When Brenden was just a baby, Mike and Jodi had visions of him going on to play football for Battle Creek Central. Mike talked about Brenden’s first experience on the football field. “After Brenden was born, Jodi and I made a stop at Bearcat Stadium on our way home from the hospital. We carried Brenden through the stadium and onto the football field.” It was the first of many moments that Brenden would experience on the gridiron.

Mike and Jodi were all in when Brenden began playing football. Watching him has blessed them with special memories and moments of joy. They have both made an effort to savor these moments while also reminding Brenden that they would support him with whatever interests he chooses to pursue. Jodi reflected on this. “Mike and I are huge football fans and have enjoyed watching Brenden play football, but we have always told him that if there is a time when he doesn’t want to play, we would support him.”

When Jodi and Mike started their family, they had initially planned on their children starting their school experience by going to school with Jodi at Wattles Park before making the transition to Battle Creek Central starting in middle school. Brenden reflected on his early school experiences. “I loved school right away, beginning in kindergarten. All of my teachers at Wattles Park were great. I was especially fond of Mrs. Shipley, my kindergarten teacher; Mrs. Kloosterman, my third-grade teacher; and Mrs. Bartholomew, my fourth-grade teacher. I played football with my friends almost every day during recess. This was always fun. Coming to school each day with Mom was special, although there were times when I wished that I didn’t have to come in early and leave late.”

Brenden made many friends at Wattles Park Elementary. Mike and Jodi soon realized that transitioning from Harper Creek to Battle Creek Public wasn’t in the cards for Brenden. He wanted to stay at Harper Creek to continue his school experience with the friends he had made at Wattles Park. Playing football with his classmates was also something that Brenden desired. He wasn’t able to play rocket football with his buddies, which seemed to make him want to team up with them even more in middle school and high school. Jodi reflected on this. “He wasn’t allowed to play rocket football for Harper Creek because the league that they were a part of had size limitations. Brenden was too big to play.” Brenden still played rocket football outside of Harper Creek’s league. Mike helped coach his team and continued in this role through Brenden’s junior year.  “We signed him up to play for New Level Sports,” Jodi explained. “The only size restrictions they had were that he couldn’t run the ball. One of the great experiences that Brenden had playing for New Level Sports was playing with his teammates at Ford Field during halftime of one of the Lions’ games.” Brenden enjoyed his experience with New Level Sports. Mike and Jodi were happy with it also, but they officially decided to have Brenden continue his schooling and football career with Harper Creek, going into his sixth-grade year.

Brenden’s transition to middle school was also a bit of a transition for Jodi, with Brenden not coming to school with her each day. Brenden made the jump to a different school easily. He was finally able to join his classmates on the football field. Brenden retained his kindergarten through fourth-grade friendships while meeting new friends and forming relationships with another group of teachers. One teacher in particular who made an impact on his educational experience was Mr. McManus, one of his English teachers. 

Brenden finally got his first opportunity to play football for Harper Creek in sixth grade, but would have to wait until seventh grade to join his class. He was moved up to the seventh-grade team as a sixth grader, and he remained on the seventh-grade team the following year, where he and his teammates would begin a six-year stretch of building on prosperity and team chemistry each year. Brenden enjoyed success playing football for New Level Sports and developed a love for the game, but playing for Harper Creek in middle school gave him a new perspective. He explained. “When I finally started playing football for Harper Creek in sixth grade, I realized what it was like to have a community around me.” This observation is something that many, including staff and students, experience during their time at Harper Creek. 

Brenden made the move from middle school with many established friendships. He transitioned to a new group of teachers, helping to make school a pleasant experience, including one of his math teachers, Mr. Dell, who was one of his most influential teachers.  Memories in the classroom were important, with those made as an athlete making a lasting impression as well. For many athletes, dreams of conference titles and state championships begin in middle school. Brenden and his teammates had these same visions starting in sixth grade.  As they began their high school careers, there would be a shift with the same grade teammates, with some playing on the freshman team and others on the junior varsity team in ninth grade. As sophomores, some played on the junior varsity team while others were moved up to varsity. Finally, as juniors, they would all be together, and they would get a glimpse of their potential moving forward in their last two years. Brenden played on the junior varsity team as a freshman and was moved up to varsity for the playoffs that year. He continued as a varsity player in his sophomore season.  Brenden reflects on this journey. “Some of my best memories as a high school football player were building on the success of each season with the milestones that we achieved. Our record improved each year, and we were able to win an outright league championship this past season, something that hadn’t happened at Harper Creek in a long time. I’m satisfied with what our team has built over the years. We had one of the most prolific offenses in school history. We wanted a state championship, so the way it ended was disappointing, but I wouldn’t change  anything.” Brenden and his teammates were primed for a run to the state championship in 2024 with a dominant offensive line and high-powered offense, but their season would be cut short with a loss in the first round of the playoffs. 

 Brenden is known as Bigg Cat by teammates, classmates, coaches, and teachers. Mike gave Brenden this nickname when he was younger, in reference to Brenden possibly playing for the Bearcats in high school. The nickname just kind of stuck, and it kind of set the tone for Brenden’s lifetime memories created by being a part of a football family. He reflected on this. “I always enjoyed going out to eat at the Moonraker with some of the girls from the volleyball team and my football teammates after each game. One of my favorite memories from my senior season was at Hastings. We were down inside the ten-yard line looking for a touchdown, and I blocked their linebacker to the back of the end zone and into the student section.”

Brenden has earned some individual honors, including being selected first team all-city and first team all-conference his senior year and being voted most improved player for his team his senior year. These awards are a credit to his hard work, but Brenden prides himself on being a leader for his team more than individual accolades. 

The camaraderie that he and his teammates have built has provided inspiration for Brenden, but the influence from his coaches has also been a huge factor in his development. Specifically, he credits Coach Jerry Miller, Coach Beniah Jones, and Coach Hank Williams for helping him to grow as a person and football player, with Coach Bilger providing the biggest impact, second to his dad. Coach Bilger reflects on how Brenden has made an impression on him. “I’ve had the chance to mentor Bigg Cat both as a teacher and a football coach. On the football field, Bigg Cat has shown tremendous perseverance to get where he is today. As a sophomore, he went back and forth between the JV and varsity rosters, trying to earn a varsity spot as nose guard on the defensive line. He had begun to grow into his body, going into his junior season, so we shifted his role from defense to offense. He was a natural fit at right tackle, where he proved to be a dominating presence on the offensive line.” Coach Bilger described what makes Brenden special as a football player. “Looking back at the three years I’ve spent with Bigg Cat, I can say that it's been a blessing. Some people just love playing the game, but Bigg Cat also enjoys being a student of the game. Most kids have only a casual interest in the strategy behind football, but Bigg Cat is the type of player who always has his nose in film.”

Brenden turned into a student of the game. It seemed the more he learned, the more he wanted to learn. As a high school and college football player and in his experience coaching for Battle Creek Central, Mike developed many connections within the sport. Through the years, he and Brenden have participated in some of the most prestigious football camps in and around Michigan. These camps have helped Mike as a coach and developed Brenden’s expertise for the game of football while also giving him exposure beyond Battle Creek. Brenden explained the gratitude he feels for these opportunities. “It was eye-opening as a child being exposed to high-profile coaches and athletes at some of the football camps that Dad and I attended. These experiences helped to develop a desire inside of me to someday make a living through football as a coach or as a player. I have been able to meet many elite football players, including retired Detroit Lions players Herman Moore and Lomas Brown.” 

Brenden’s physical presence gives him a leg up as a football player. His three-hundred-thirty-pound, six feet seven inch frame makes him an imposing force for high school defenders to deal with. His eagerness to learn the nuances of the game has upped the ante. Mike talked about another influence on Brenden’s football knowledge. “Brenden has helped me coach a semi-pro team, the Kalamazoo Titans, each summer since 2018. We won the national championship in 2020. As an athlete, this experience has helped him to evolve as a coach on the field.”

Brenden’s size, the success he has experienced individually and as a part of a cohesive team, the connections he has made at the camps that he has participated in, and his experience coaching a semi-pro football team have laid the foundation for football beyond high school. He talks about the next chapter in his football career. “I had some college coaches reach out to me during my sophomore and junior years, but it really picked up in my senior year. My first official offer came from Davenport University back in June. Other schools that have recruited me include Central Michigan University, Adrian College, the University of Olivet, Wayne State University, Madonna University, and Siena Heights University. I also received an offer from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, this past season’s JUCO national champion. I committed to Davenport on February 5th. I’m excited that my teammate Zach Kitchens is going to Davenport with me.” Brenden wants to get a secondary education degree from Davenport University. His dream is to play professional football, but he also would love to teach and coach football at the high school level.

Now that Brenden’s high school football career is finished, it is the end of an amazing ride for him and his teammates. The games, practices, and time spent with teammates are all moments to cherish. He and Mike have also been blessed with some amazing memories. The unique relationship that he and his dad have shared as athlete and coach is something that both Brenden and Mike will forever be grateful for. Mike talked about what it has meant to him to be involved in Brenden’s football life. “While on the field, we are coach and athlete, but I have also been blessed to go back and forth between the roles of coach and dad. The vast amount of time that we have spent together on the road at football camps has strengthened our bond. It has given us time to share our common passion for football, but also gifted us with moments of enjoying the father-son relationship by just hanging out in hotel rooms and the car as we travel.” Brenden feels fortunate as well for how football has strengthened the relationship he has with his dad. “It's been great having my dad coach me through the years. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach. It’s always been a privilege. I have never been treated as the coach’s son. My dad got an opportunity to help coach for Kalamazoo Central this year. It was odd not to have him coach me this year. I always joke with my teammates that Dad might be a great coach, but you don’t have to ride home with him.”

There is no doubt that football has always been Brenden’s passion, but he has also enjoyed being a part of Harper Creek’s track and field team. He reflected on his time in this sport. “I have been on the track team since my freshman year. Initially, I decided to join the team because I was bored and didn’t want to go home after school.” Brenden became more serious about track in his junior year, putting in more effort. His work was evident in the improvement he made as a shot put thrower. “My sophomore year, I threw the shot twenty-nine feet. In my junior year, I made great progress, with my best throw being forty-three and a half feet. My goal for my senior season is to throw further than last year and possibly hit fifty feet. Last year, we won our first-ever school state championship. It was amazing to be a part of that.” 

As a Wattles Park Elementary school teacher, I have experienced those moments of inspiration when a child’s eyes light up with the realization that he or she has mastered a skill, such as reading or fluently multiplying single-digit numbers. The moments of excitement that we share with students are endless. The last day of school each year, when our fourth-grade students walk through our halls one last time, is always bittersweet. Seeing, hearing, and reading about the successes of our former students years later is always joyous. Although it’s been more than a decade, it seems like it was just yesterday when Brenden and his classmates started their journey at Harper Creek as Kindergarten students. Jodi has experienced this with Brenden as a Wattles Park teacher, but also as a mom. She reflected on the emotions of a parent getting ready to send a child out into the world. “I am incredibly proud of Brenden. He has always been a leader as a football player and as a student. He has accomplished what he has set out to do. He has never wavered from his goal.”

The relationship between a brother and sister can certainly have its share of highs and lows. There is always potential for rewards coming with these sibling interactions. Lily explained how this relationship has played out with her and her big brother. “Brenden is an inspiration. He is someone I look up to. He is difficult to deal with and annoying sometimes, but he has always been there for me. I have enjoyed watching him play football.” 

The reference to how it takes a village to raise a child is somewhat cliche, but there are many examples of how true this is. Brenden has received support at home, from his teachers, from his peers, and from the community. These supports, combined with his internal drive, have helped him to succeed as a student and an athlete and will serve him well throughout his life. He is just one example of many students that Harper Creek can be proud of.