March 21, 2024

Ferris State basketball coaches leading teams to NCAA DII Elite Eight prepare students for success on and off the court

Elite college basketball programs guided by top-notch leadership have helped shine a spotlight on Ferris State University for hardwood excellence in West Michigan, statewide, and soon on the national stage as March Madness heats up coast to coast.

Both Ferris State basketball teams advanced to the Elite Eight level of the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

It’s the first time the university has had two teams playing this deep into the tournament at the same time.

The Bulldog women, seeded third in the Elite Eight, will face the sixth-seeded University of Tampa on Monday, March 25 in St. Joseph, Missouri while the eighth-seeded men will face top-seeded Minnesota State on Tuesday, March 26, in Evansville, Indiana.

University leaders said Ferris State’s coaches are respected for leadership that transcends the work on the court. Andy Bronkema is in his 11th season leading the men’s program and already has one NCAA DII championship on is resume. Kurt Westendorp is in his fourth season at the helm of the women’s program.

“We are truly blessed to have great coaches committed to recruiting and mentoring well-rounded student-athletes that get it done on the court, in the classroom and the community – this is at the heart of what Ferris State is about,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “This type of leadership is indicative across our athletic programs, including our Athletic Director. All of our coaches and administrators in athletics are focused on the student-athlete, and how each of them develops as people and players, then make a difference once they’re done. This is not the case everywhere, and I am proud of each of our head coaches.”

Westendorp’s women’s team won the NCAA Division II Midwest Region championship in a 49-46 win over Grand Valley State University -- ranked No. 2 in the nation -- on their rival’s home court in Allendale. The next day, Bronkema’s squad claimed its NCAA Division II Midwest Region trophy at the University of Indianapolis with an 86-81 victory over conference Lake Superior State University.

The men, with a 28-7 record, are reaching the Elite Eight for the third time. But the appearance is the first for the women’s team, 25-5.

“None of these accomplishments are possible without great people wearing the uniform and supporting our program,” said Westendorp, who previously served as a Ferris State women’s basketball assistant coach, 2010-12 before returning as its head coach in 2020. “We have really quality young women that are extremely motivated and have a lot of pride in playing for the Bulldogs. They’ve continually raised the bar and set standards that have propelled us to our success.”

Like Westendorp, Bronkema understands where college athletics in general and basketball in specific fits into the bigger picture of raising Ferris State’s profile athletically and beyond under the overall leadership of Ferris State President Bill Pink.

“We are proud of what we have here at Ferris State University. We see how we fit into the greater university and Dr. Pink’s mission and our athletic director Steve Brockelbank’s mission,” said Bronkema, a McBain native who enjoyed a successful college basketball playing career at Cornerstone University. “We’re part of the education process and we love our part. But it’s one part of a bigger mission that includes academics and athletics. We do our jobs the best that we can to make Ferris State proud and to make the Big Rapids proud.”

While winning on the court matters, the student-athletes appreciate that their coaches are committed to their success in basketball and in life.

“Coach Kurt really cares about his players,” said women’s basketball standout Kadyn Blanchard, a Freeland native. “He truly wants the best for us and expects the best out of us.”

Fans packing the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena on Monday witnessed one of the greatest moments in program history as the Bulldog women defeated the Lakers, 49-46, to win the team’s first NCAA Division II Midwest Region championship.

“We talk about trying to do things the program has never done before,” Westendorp said. “In these past three seasons, we’ve won our first-ever GLIAC Tournament Championship and now our first-ever Midwest Regional Championship and Elite Eight appearance.”

That relentless pursuit of excellence has not gone unnoticed by the student-athletes.

“Coach pushes us the right amount, but also knows how to take care of us and our bodies,” Blanchard said. “He always brings the same amount of energy each practice and stays positive in all situations.”
The men’s basketball student-athletes, some who became aware of Ferris State after its 2017-18 NCAA Division II National Championship team, can relate to that push.

“Coach Bronks is an extraordinary motivator and a flat-out winner,” said senior guard Jack Ammerman, an Ann Arbor native who transferred to Ferris State before the season. “His passion for the game and winning mindset is unlike anyone else I have ever played for. He is able to push us players past limits we have set for ourselves.”
Steve Brockelbank, as director of athletics and a former college coach, is impressed by the leadership of Bronkema and Westendorp.

“The accomplishments of our basketball teams reflect Andy’s and Kurt’s leadership,” Brockelbank said. “Their dedication, tireless efforts and care for our student-athletes have led to this remarkable success. Under their leadership, our student-athletes experience exceptional achievements on and off the court.”

A leader on the floor for the Bulldog women, graduate senior point guard Mallory McCartney knows it takes special leadership to elevate college basketball programs.

“This team is so special because we all want to play and win for each other, and when you have a group that is playing for something bigger than themselves, you know it’s going to be a special year. Kurt is the one who put it all in motion,” said Mallory McCartney, a senior point guard from Saginaw who is finishing her Master of Business Administration degree at Ferris State. “Kurt is the most consistent person and is the leader of this team. His energy and belief he has in us is second to none and we’re really grateful for that.”

For winning coaches, no detail is too small in guiding student-athletes to be winners in competition and in life.
“In my humble opinion, Bronks is a special coach because of his attention to every little detail,” said graduate senior forward Dolapo Olayinka of Chicago. “Bronks spends countless hours breaking down every opposing team, giving us every tool possible to have a chance to come out on top.”

Olayinka further noted that Bronkema, who coached the Bulldog men to the 2017-18 NCAA Division II National Championship, listens to his team.

“Another thing that stood out to me this year was during our little slump in the middle of the season – he came to us, the players, and asked us what he could do better as our coach. He wanted input from every player on the team, including our redshirts,” he said. “I believe that was an important step for us as a team in the right direction.”

The coaches care about positioning student-athletes for success on the basketball court career success after sports. Both regularly have alumni return to support the program throughout the season.

“Kurt and I have the same views on basketball and what it really is as a game that we love. It’s a tool that can guide and shape lives and set our student-athletes up for great success at whatever they choose to do on or off the court,” Bronkema said. “It’s a leadership blueprint. He’s an educator. I’m an educator. That’s the way we view what we do in our commitment to the success of our student-athletes at Ferris and beyond.”

To Brockelbank, success means having coaches and student-athletes get it done in the classroom, on the court, and in communities. “Our men’s and women’s basketball programs represent everything good with college athletics,” he said.