After rebuilding men's basketball programs at two colleges during his coaching career, Steve Hettinga has his sights set on doing the same at Lake Superior State.
Hettinga, a Three Oaks, Mich., native, became the 13th head coach in LSSU's 60-year men's basketball history on July 1, 2007.
"Steve Hettinga turned two struggling programs into winners, and we think he's the guy who can do the same at Lake Superior State," LSSU Athletic Director Kris Dunbar said. "LSSU and the Sault Ste. Marie community are hungry to see men's basketball get back on the winning track, and Steve is thrilled with the opportunity to coach at the Division II level. We think he will be a great fit at LSSU and in the GLIAC."
After serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Olivet College, for four seasons, Hettinga became one of the nation's youngest head coaches when he took over the Comets men's basketball program in 1997. Olivet finished 5-20 during his first season in 1997-98, but posted back-to-back 15-10 records during the next two years and enjoyed its first winning season since 1982.
Hettinga left Olivet after 11 seasons and served as head coach of the IBL's Grand Rapids Flight in 2004-05. The Flight were 15-5 during their inaugural season, and Hettinga was named IBL West Coach of the Year.
In 2006-07, Hettinga took over as head coach at MacMurray College, a Division III institution with an enrollment of 700 students located in Jacksonville, Ill. A team that finished seventh in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference prior to his arrival finished 14-4 for its best record in two decades and won the SLIAC title during his first season. Hettinga was named SLIAC Coach of the Year in 2006-07.
"I feel like I'm ready for this opportunity," Hettinga said. "I'm looking to succeed and bring a high level of intensity to the program. Our teams are going to compete every night, be hard-nosed teams that play together and hopefully be a tough opponent to play against - game in and game out."
Hettinga also earned an M.A. in teaching from Olivet College in 2003.
Former Hillsdale forward Tom Farmer was named assistant men's basketball coach at LSSU in August, 2007.
Farmer, an Olivet, Mich., native, earned All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division First Team honors while averaging 16.8 points per game as a senior at Hillsdale College in 2003-04. While finishing his undergraduate work, he spent one season as an assistant coach under current Laker coach Steve Hettinga at MacMurray College.
"Tom brings a lot of enthusiasm and determination to the job," LSSU head coach Steve Hettinga said. "He's excited to get going. I was pleased with the work he did when he coached with me at MacMurray. He earned credibility and respect from the players. We work well together and feed off each other. He's also familiar with the GLIAC, and that's definitely a plus."
