EXCEL 2025
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 19th 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 9th to July 24th with the exception of the dead week June 30-July 4th.
Days: Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (note the change to Thursdays instead of Fridays)
Cost: $125
Location: Zeeland West High School Aux Gym and Weight Room
HS boys (9th-12th)- 7:30-9:00
HS/MS girls(6th-12th)- 8:45-10:15
MS Boys (6th-8th)- 10:00-11:15
To sign your son or daughter up, please complete the following form: https://forms.gle/sUAuSiaYz7axTDsF6 . 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 would like to participate in the program but have financial concerns, please reach out to Mr. Vande Guchte at nvandegu@zps.org.
Please have your son or daughter bring their payment of $125 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 to reserve your spot. Checks should be made out to Zeeland West with Excel in the memo line. Cash is also accepted but please send exact change.
Program History
This summer will be the nineteenth 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.
Coach Lambert joined the program in a leadership role the past two summers and has taken over the lifting component of the summer program. Coach Lambert leads many of our high school strength classes, and also leads the winter lifting program for Creekside athletes.
When the Excel program started at West, it was one trainer and approximately 15-20 athletes. Over the last eighteen years, the program has developed and grown into 10-12 coaches helping each summer, training between 160-170 athletes from a variety of sports and age groups. We look forward to a summer of getting better, together! Go Dux!