Todd Geerlings, a 1978 Zeeland High School graduate who officiated more than 200 major college football games during his career, died June 10 at the age of 65. Geerlings also was an educator for several West Michigan school districts, including a stint as superintendent of schools in Hastings.
Photo courtesy Scott Geerlings
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
While they were students at Hope College, Todd and Scott Geerlings picked up part-time jobs officiating adult recreation league basketball games at the old Holland Civic Center.
“It was rough. It was some old college players and guys who didn’t play (college) who had a chip on their shoulders. It was fun to watch,” Scott Geerlings said.
Scott decided after awhile he didn’t like people yelling at him after he would call a foul, so he eventually put away his whistle. But the spark was lit for Todd. He would go on to officiate college football and basketball games for decades.
Todd Geerlings, who officiated more than 200 Division I college football games during his career, including 10 bowl games, died Tuesday, June 10 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was 65.
Geerlings’ oldest son, Dr. Aric Geerlings, recalls his father’s ability to connect with young people as an educator.
“All my friends growing up liked my dad as their principal. He was tough, but he was fair. He always knew the kids he could be tough on and the kids that needed a little more TLC,” Aric Geerlings said. “He was very good at reading a person, reading a room, depending on what he needed to know.
“I remember at assemblies if we did a fundraiser and we (met) a goal to raise X-amount, he’d shave his head … he always did stuff like that to motivate you.”
Todd Robert Geerlings was born Dec. 27, 1959 in Zeeland, to Robert and Judy (Duthler) Geerlings. His father was a police officer. Scott Geerlings, who was just 18 months younger than Todd, recalls their formative years in Zeeland.
“When we were growing up, we’d beat each other up, like every brother does,” said Scott Geerlings, president of Zeeland-based Midwest Construction. “But then we were buddies, hung around with the same groups (of kids). We lived in an apartment with a variety of guys for a couple of years at Hope (College).”
Todd excelled both athletically and academically at Zeeland High School, playing football and basketball as well as running track. He was also on the debate team and graduated as valedictorian and class president of the ZHS class of 1978.
From there, Geerlings went on to Hope, where he studied education, psychology and mathematics. He also played four seasons as a tight end for the Flying Dutchmen football team under legendary head coach Ray Smith, and was part of three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships. Scott Geerlings was his teammate his final two seasons at Hope, playing defensive end.
Todd Geerlings’ journey as a college football official started in the NCAA Division II ranks, eventually leading to a referee role in the 2000 D2 national championship game. He then moved up to the Division I Mid-American Conference, where he was a referee for four years. In 2004, he moved to the Big Ten Conference, and would work for the league for 16 years. Over the last few years, Geerlings worked as an analyst for the Collegiate Officials Consortium. He also officiated college basketball games as well.
While it was his most visible job, sports officiating was just one of Geerlings’ responsibilities. His full-time job most of his career was in education. He spent 13 years at Kentwood Public Schools as a principal at both the elementary and middle school levels, and also served as director of special education at KPS.
In 2005, Geerlings became assistant superintendent at Mona Shores Public Schools near Muskegon, with responsibilities in human resources. In July 2012, he was named superintendent of Hastings Area School System, holding that position until January 2014. He later served as principal at Muskegon Catholic Central High School and head of school at Muskegon Maritime Academy.
Todd always took his responsibility as a referee seriously, and took in stride the criticism that would sometimes be leveled by fans over a perceived missed call. Aric Geerlings shared that his father was much more concerned about how his supervisors saw his work.
“The fans, they’re gonna boo you no matter what. The hardest part is, the further up you go, the harder your grade is (by your supervisor). You are more scared of a phone call on Sunday or Monday from your supervisor from college than you are about any fan reaction,” Aric Geerlings said.
Aric Geerlings eventually followed his father into the ranks of being a college football official. In fact, when Aric officiated his first college game in August 2017 between Michigan Tech and Truman State (Mo.), Todd Geerlings was also part of the officiating crew that day.
Todd Geerlings’ work as an official got him assignments for a number of postseason bowl games across the country, most notably the 2007 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tex., when Auburn defeated Nebraska 17-14. In addition to the bowl games, Geerlings was referee for a 2010 game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field between Northwestern and Illinois.
Scott Geerlings said he will remember his brother as a man of faith, that he had “a moral compass” that guided him.
“It wasn’t something that he talked about a lot, but he lived (his beliefs),” Scott said. “Todd was a good guy, bottom line. He was well-liked by his peers and his friends.”
Geerlings is survived by his wife, Dana; sons, Dr. Aric (Lisa) Geerlings and Brandon (Shelly Funk) Geerlings; grandchildren, Sidney, Sadie, Samantha, Seth, Gunnar and Summer; stepchildren, Brandon Gannon and Delaney (Devin Smith) Gannon; the mother of his children, Sally Geerlings; stepmother, Linda Geerlings; brothers, Scott (Jackie) Geerlings and Kent (Debbie) Geerlings; half-sisters, Holly (Ken) Arens and Stephanie (Chip) Netzel; half-brother, Johnny Mulder; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Nancy Dorato; and sister-in-law, Denise (Oscar) Carcamo.
A celebration of life for Todd Geerlings will be held Thursday, June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Lee Chapel of Systema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores.
Zeeland Record
While they were students at Hope College, Todd and Scott Geerlings picked up part-time jobs officiating adult recreation league basketball games at the old Holland Civic Center.
“It was rough. It was some old college players and guys who didn’t play (college) who had a chip on their shoulders. It was fun to watch,” Scott Geerlings said.
Scott decided after awhile he didn’t like people yelling at him after he would call a foul, so he eventually put away his whistle. But the spark was lit for Todd. He would go on to officiate college football and basketball games for decades.
Todd Geerlings, who officiated more than 200 Division I college football games during his career, including 10 bowl games, died Tuesday, June 10 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was 65.
Geerlings’ oldest son, Dr. Aric Geerlings, recalls his father’s ability to connect with young people as an educator.
“All my friends growing up liked my dad as their principal. He was tough, but he was fair. He always knew the kids he could be tough on and the kids that needed a little more TLC,” Aric Geerlings said. “He was very good at reading a person, reading a room, depending on what he needed to know.
“I remember at assemblies if we did a fundraiser and we (met) a goal to raise X-amount, he’d shave his head … he always did stuff like that to motivate you.”
Todd Robert Geerlings was born Dec. 27, 1959 in Zeeland, to Robert and Judy (Duthler) Geerlings. His father was a police officer. Scott Geerlings, who was just 18 months younger than Todd, recalls their formative years in Zeeland.
“When we were growing up, we’d beat each other up, like every brother does,” said Scott Geerlings, president of Zeeland-based Midwest Construction. “But then we were buddies, hung around with the same groups (of kids). We lived in an apartment with a variety of guys for a couple of years at Hope (College).”
Todd excelled both athletically and academically at Zeeland High School, playing football and basketball as well as running track. He was also on the debate team and graduated as valedictorian and class president of the ZHS class of 1978.
From there, Geerlings went on to Hope, where he studied education, psychology and mathematics. He also played four seasons as a tight end for the Flying Dutchmen football team under legendary head coach Ray Smith, and was part of three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships. Scott Geerlings was his teammate his final two seasons at Hope, playing defensive end.
Todd Geerlings’ journey as a college football official started in the NCAA Division II ranks, eventually leading to a referee role in the 2000 D2 national championship game. He then moved up to the Division I Mid-American Conference, where he was a referee for four years. In 2004, he moved to the Big Ten Conference, and would work for the league for 16 years. Over the last few years, Geerlings worked as an analyst for the Collegiate Officials Consortium. He also officiated college basketball games as well.
While it was his most visible job, sports officiating was just one of Geerlings’ responsibilities. His full-time job most of his career was in education. He spent 13 years at Kentwood Public Schools as a principal at both the elementary and middle school levels, and also served as director of special education at KPS.
In 2005, Geerlings became assistant superintendent at Mona Shores Public Schools near Muskegon, with responsibilities in human resources. In July 2012, he was named superintendent of Hastings Area School System, holding that position until January 2014. He later served as principal at Muskegon Catholic Central High School and head of school at Muskegon Maritime Academy.
Todd always took his responsibility as a referee seriously, and took in stride the criticism that would sometimes be leveled by fans over a perceived missed call. Aric Geerlings shared that his father was much more concerned about how his supervisors saw his work.
“The fans, they’re gonna boo you no matter what. The hardest part is, the further up you go, the harder your grade is (by your supervisor). You are more scared of a phone call on Sunday or Monday from your supervisor from college than you are about any fan reaction,” Aric Geerlings said.
Aric Geerlings eventually followed his father into the ranks of being a college football official. In fact, when Aric officiated his first college game in August 2017 between Michigan Tech and Truman State (Mo.), Todd Geerlings was also part of the officiating crew that day.
Todd Geerlings’ work as an official got him assignments for a number of postseason bowl games across the country, most notably the 2007 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tex., when Auburn defeated Nebraska 17-14. In addition to the bowl games, Geerlings was referee for a 2010 game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field between Northwestern and Illinois.
Scott Geerlings said he will remember his brother as a man of faith, that he had “a moral compass” that guided him.
“It wasn’t something that he talked about a lot, but he lived (his beliefs),” Scott said. “Todd was a good guy, bottom line. He was well-liked by his peers and his friends.”
Geerlings is survived by his wife, Dana; sons, Dr. Aric (Lisa) Geerlings and Brandon (Shelly Funk) Geerlings; grandchildren, Sidney, Sadie, Samantha, Seth, Gunnar and Summer; stepchildren, Brandon Gannon and Delaney (Devin Smith) Gannon; the mother of his children, Sally Geerlings; stepmother, Linda Geerlings; brothers, Scott (Jackie) Geerlings and Kent (Debbie) Geerlings; half-sisters, Holly (Ken) Arens and Stephanie (Chip) Netzel; half-brother, Johnny Mulder; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Nancy Dorato; and sister-in-law, Denise (Oscar) Carcamo.
A celebration of life for Todd Geerlings will be held Thursday, June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Lee Chapel of Systema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores.
16th Annual Zeeland Zoom 5k Next Tuesday
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The 16th annual Zeeland Zoom 5-kilometer race is just a few days away.
The annual race through downtown Zeeland will take place at 7 p.m. next Tuesday night.
The Zeeland Zoom 5K will take runners on a fast 3.1-mile course through downtown. The Zeeland Zoom is a professionally timed race; participants will be provided a time chip to wear on the course which will be tracked by a ChronoTrack mat to mat Start and Finish Line.
The Zeeland Zoom will award the top male and female overall finishers and top male and female masters (40 and over), will receive a prize. Prizes will also be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division. The first 1,000 finishers overall will receive a custom Zeeland Zoom medal. Age divisions include: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 -69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85-and-over.
Parker Lambers, a distance runner at Michigan State University and Holland Christian High School graduate, was the overall winner of last year’s Zeeland Zoom with a time of 14:56.29. Savannah Ackley, a former NCAA Division II All-America runner at Cedarville (Ohio) University, was the women’s champion with a time of 17:34.62. Taylor deRoo of Zeeland won the men’s masters division in 18:22.82, while Jamie Kloosterman of Jenison was the women’s masters winner with a time of 22:36.22.
Prior to the Zeeland Zoom 5k, children can run the streets of Zeeland and part of the Zoom route as part of the Little Zoomers, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Church Street. Little Zoomers will run a one-mile course beginning at the corner of Main and Church.
Packet pickup and onsite registration will be held Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Howard Miller Library and Community Center, and again Tuesday night from 5 p.m. until the 7 p.m. race start.
Additional registration information, including pricing and online registration, is available at feelthezeel.com.
Zeeland Record
The 16th annual Zeeland Zoom 5-kilometer race is just a few days away.
The annual race through downtown Zeeland will take place at 7 p.m. next Tuesday night.
The Zeeland Zoom 5K will take runners on a fast 3.1-mile course through downtown. The Zeeland Zoom is a professionally timed race; participants will be provided a time chip to wear on the course which will be tracked by a ChronoTrack mat to mat Start and Finish Line.
The Zeeland Zoom will award the top male and female overall finishers and top male and female masters (40 and over), will receive a prize. Prizes will also be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division. The first 1,000 finishers overall will receive a custom Zeeland Zoom medal. Age divisions include: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 -69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85-and-over.
Parker Lambers, a distance runner at Michigan State University and Holland Christian High School graduate, was the overall winner of last year’s Zeeland Zoom with a time of 14:56.29. Savannah Ackley, a former NCAA Division II All-America runner at Cedarville (Ohio) University, was the women’s champion with a time of 17:34.62. Taylor deRoo of Zeeland won the men’s masters division in 18:22.82, while Jamie Kloosterman of Jenison was the women’s masters winner with a time of 22:36.22.
Prior to the Zeeland Zoom 5k, children can run the streets of Zeeland and part of the Zoom route as part of the Little Zoomers, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Church Street. Little Zoomers will run a one-mile course beginning at the corner of Main and Church.
Packet pickup and onsite registration will be held Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Howard Miller Library and Community Center, and again Tuesday night from 5 p.m. until the 7 p.m. race start.
Additional registration information, including pricing and online registration, is available at feelthezeel.com.
Unity Christian Breaks Record for Most State Girls Soccer Titles
By Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
The MHSAA girls soccer record book needs some editing.
Unity Christian won its 13th state championship last Friday at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Soccer Complex with a 7-0 defeat of New Boston Huron.
The win broke Unity Christian’s tie with Madison Heights Bishop Foley for the most girls soccer titles of any program in the state, as each had 12 championships prior to last Friday. The Crusaders finished the season with a perfect 22-0-2 record.
“I think the thing I am probably the proudest of for the kids is the consistency,” Unity Christian coach Randy Heethuis said. “They know if they do little things, it allows big things to happen. That is something that we have been preaching now for 20-plus years. We get kids who buy-in to the program and want to be part of it, and just want to end their season (at the Final), quite frankly.”
While Friday marked the third consecutive championship, it was the first time Unity Christian claimed the top prize in Division 2. The previous 12 titles were all in Division 3.
“It’s not something that we really talked about. At the beginning of the year, we had some parents asking what that was going to be like. We don’t care what division we are in, we just want to come out and play soccer,” Heethuis said. “On any given day I think we are good enough that we can compete with anybody. We showed that day-in and day-out over the course of the season.”
Unity Christian put on the pressure from the start of the match. It dominated possession, resulting in 19 first-half shots. However, the Crusaders were able to put only four on goal.
The opening score finally came for the Crusaders in the 37th minute of play when senior Ava Lutke took a corner kick and it got through to the head of junior Tessa Ponstein, who found the net for her 15th goal of the season.
Ponstein got the assist on the second Unity Christian goal. Off a free kick, she found the head of junior Addison Pell, whose attempt trickled past the New Boston Huron defense for a score with 28 minutes to play. That made it 2-0 for the Crusaders.
The Chiefs would find themselves down a player after a second yellow card midway through the half. Unity Christian would go on to score five goals in the game’s final 18 minutes, including three in a span of 2 minutes, 33 seconds.
The scoring overshadowed another dominant defensive performance for Unity Christian, led by juniors Avery Dekker and Ava Steen, as well as sophomore Karli Rose. They allowed keepers Payton Barendsen and Kennidee Crump to earn a shutout without making a save.
Friday’s shutout marked the 18th consecutive postseason shutout for the Crusaders, as they outscored opponents in the playoffs this year, 22-0. They came out of a tough district at Holland with a 2-0 victory over Zeeland East and a 1-0 district final win over Grand Rapids South Christian.
“That’s one of the things I am most proud about,” Heethuis said of the postseason shutouts. “Obviously, stats and offense get a lot of the accolades, but you go 18 tournament games without giving up a goal, that doesn’t just happen by chance. That’s the equivalent of going an entire season and not giving up a goal.”
Special for MHSAA.com
The MHSAA girls soccer record book needs some editing.
Unity Christian won its 13th state championship last Friday at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Soccer Complex with a 7-0 defeat of New Boston Huron.
The win broke Unity Christian’s tie with Madison Heights Bishop Foley for the most girls soccer titles of any program in the state, as each had 12 championships prior to last Friday. The Crusaders finished the season with a perfect 22-0-2 record.
“I think the thing I am probably the proudest of for the kids is the consistency,” Unity Christian coach Randy Heethuis said. “They know if they do little things, it allows big things to happen. That is something that we have been preaching now for 20-plus years. We get kids who buy-in to the program and want to be part of it, and just want to end their season (at the Final), quite frankly.”
While Friday marked the third consecutive championship, it was the first time Unity Christian claimed the top prize in Division 2. The previous 12 titles were all in Division 3.
“It’s not something that we really talked about. At the beginning of the year, we had some parents asking what that was going to be like. We don’t care what division we are in, we just want to come out and play soccer,” Heethuis said. “On any given day I think we are good enough that we can compete with anybody. We showed that day-in and day-out over the course of the season.”
Unity Christian put on the pressure from the start of the match. It dominated possession, resulting in 19 first-half shots. However, the Crusaders were able to put only four on goal.
The opening score finally came for the Crusaders in the 37th minute of play when senior Ava Lutke took a corner kick and it got through to the head of junior Tessa Ponstein, who found the net for her 15th goal of the season.
Ponstein got the assist on the second Unity Christian goal. Off a free kick, she found the head of junior Addison Pell, whose attempt trickled past the New Boston Huron defense for a score with 28 minutes to play. That made it 2-0 for the Crusaders.
The Chiefs would find themselves down a player after a second yellow card midway through the half. Unity Christian would go on to score five goals in the game’s final 18 minutes, including three in a span of 2 minutes, 33 seconds.
The scoring overshadowed another dominant defensive performance for Unity Christian, led by juniors Avery Dekker and Ava Steen, as well as sophomore Karli Rose. They allowed keepers Payton Barendsen and Kennidee Crump to earn a shutout without making a save.
Friday’s shutout marked the 18th consecutive postseason shutout for the Crusaders, as they outscored opponents in the playoffs this year, 22-0. They came out of a tough district at Holland with a 2-0 victory over Zeeland East and a 1-0 district final win over Grand Rapids South Christian.
“That’s one of the things I am most proud about,” Heethuis said of the postseason shutouts. “Obviously, stats and offense get a lot of the accolades, but you go 18 tournament games without giving up a goal, that doesn’t just happen by chance. That’s the equivalent of going an entire season and not giving up a goal.”
