The Spring Lake community welcomes Cori Geoghan to her new role as coach of the Girls Varsity Basketball Team, previously coached by Rich Hyde. Her plans for this year are to keep getting better every day because, in the end, they are “playing for March.”
The Spring Lake Girls Varsity team currently sits tied with Zeeland East for second place in the OK Black. “We’ve won some big games, but we’ve also lost some,” Geoghan said. “We just have to remember every day is an opportunity to get better and continue to grow.”
The beginning of March marks Districts, an important time in their season with the chance to compete for a district title. The team last year made it to the regional final for the first time in school history.
Geoghan grew up playing basketball in Muskegon and attended Muskegon Catholic Central High School from which she graduated in 2000. Following graduation she continued her athletic career at Grand Valley State University and began coaching part time. As a GVSU graduate she chose to attend physical therapy school and continue to coach in Grand Rapids. Geoghan made the move to Spring Lake in 2019, but didn’t coach until 2021 when she reached out to Coach Hyde.
Geoghan worked under Coach Hyde for three years as a coaching assistant and then as the Girls JV coach. “Being a part of this program for three years before taking this job was extremely helpful because I was able to see all that he does,” she said of Hyde. “I’ve reached out to him for advice on things and he’s been so willingly to help with everything.”
“Basketball is a passion of mine and that’s why I’m coaching it, but it’s not only teaching the game that I love but more importantly I get to be a part of these players’ lives” Geoghan added. “And I think that I’m in a unique position as a coach to be a part of their growth, not only on the court but off the court too. I’m teaching the game, I’m challenging them, I’m holding them accountable, but I’m also there to support them. I’m there to encourage them, and I’m there to be somebody that they can just rely on.”
As Geoghan’s first year as a varsity coach this year has been her most challenging year with balancing the important things to her because “this job can consume you,” especially when the expectations are high. Geoghan said, “ It’s a struggle to find the balance between coaching, having a career and being there for family.”
Despite only being in the Spring Lake program for three years she has implemented the Junior Lakers Program. An opportunity for girls in the Spring Lake district to become involved in the sport of basketball starting in third grade. Taking place on Saturdays in January and February and exposes youth to not only the sport but also the connection it can foster.
“These kids look up to the high schoolers immensely and for the high school players they get to play the role of coach and role model.”
