Excel 2024

As the summer approaches, we are excited to again offer the Excel training program for our Zeeland West and Creekside athletes in grades 6th-12th. The Excel program, in its 18th year,  is a 6-week long training program. The goal of Excel is to offer an affordable but highly specialized training program with a focus on speed and quickness, agility, plyometrics, and strength training; while giving student-athletes the opportunity to work and improve alongside their teammates. 

Dates: June 10th to July 26th with the exception of the dead week July 1-5. 

Days: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Cost: $120

HS boys (9th-12th)- 7:30-9:00

HS/MS girls(6th-12th)- 8:45-10:15

MS Boys (6th-8th)- 10:00-11:30

To sign your son or daughter up, please complete the following form: https://forms.gle/uexS59QGHxnzJZHq6. Please fill out a different form for each child you are signing up for the program, using their grade they will be in next fall. We want the Excel program to be an affordable option for all of Zeeland West athletes and their families. If you or your family are interested in participating in the program, but are struggling financially, please send Mr. Vande Guchte an email at nvandegu@zps.org to discuss what options are available. 

Please have your son or daughter bring their payment of $120 to Mrs. Brookhouse in the West Athletic Office, to the Creekside Main Office or to Mr. Vande Guchte in D130 prior to the program start date. Checks should be made out to Zeeland West Excel.  Cash is also accepted.

Program History

This summer will be the eighteenth of our Excel program here at Zeeland West. Prior to teaching and coaching at Zeeland West, Coach Vande Guchte was the Director of Sports Training at Excel-R-ation Physical Therapy and Sports Training for many years. While there, he was responsible for a staff of 3-5 trainers who trained middle school athletes all the way up through professional athletes. In addition to training in their facility, he led the ground based training program here at Zeeland West, as well as Saugatuck High School, Holland Christian High School, Griff's Ice Arena, the Hope College Tennis Academy, and several other high school teams and small groups of athletes throughout the area. 

When the program started at West, it was one trainer and approximately 15-20 athletes. Over the last seventeen years, the program has developed and grown into 8-12 coaches helping each summer, and now  training between 140-160 athletes from a variety of sports and age groups.

We look forward to a summer of getting better, together! Go Dux!