ROCKFORD SOFTBALL

After graduating from Rockford High School in 1995, Coach Dunham continued her softball career at Ferris State University, where her team made two National Tournament appearances, placing 3^rd and 7^th in the nation during her junior and senior years.  Coach Dunham earned GLIAC recognition, was captain of her team for three consecutive years, and was named to the National All-Tournament Team in 1998.  After graduating from Ferris State University with a degree in English Education and a minor in PE, she taught Physical Education and was the Varsity Softball Coach at Farmington Hills Harrison High School for three years before moving back to Rockford during the summer of 2003.  Coach Dunham teaches 7^th and 8^th grade Physical Education, runs the intramural program, leads student-council, and coaches 8^th grade volleyball at East Rockford Middle School.  She has been married since winter of 2004.  In her spare time, she writes articles for her church newsletter, enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, golfing, mountain biking, rollerblading, racquetball, snowboarding, and most of all, spending time with her husband, Aaron.  Summer months are full of adventure when she trains and competes in mini-triathlons, running races, and Muddy Buddy Challenges.

Teresa is a lifelong Rockford resident.  During her four years at Rockford High School, she focused her energies on managing the Rockford softball, basketball, and volleyball teams.  She went on to Western Michigan University where she managed the women’s basketball team.  She earned her degree in Education and currently works as a substitute teacher certified K-8 in all subjects with an emphasis on Math, Science, and Social Sciences. Teresa’s current position within the Rockford Softball Program includes keeping stats on a handheld device, updating and keeping the webpage current, managing uniforms, and helping complete much of the tedious paperwork required for players and the team to earn recognition at conference and state level.   The players within the Rockford Softball Program have come to appreciate Teresa for her ever-organized ways.  She is often referred to as the “Walking Walgreens” because whenever you need something (no matter what it might be) she is almost always able to pull it out of her bag to lend that helping hand.  Teresa has been a lifelong member at Our Lady of Consolation where she takes part on Pastoral Council and Women’s ministry. Teresa enjoys spending her time playing softball during the summer months where she is the catcher for her women's slow pitch team.  She is the youngest of 5 children in her family, and she enjoys spending time with her 7 nieces and nephews that adore having her as their aunt.

Coach Brown graduated from Sparta High School in 1986 and was a three-year Varsity baseball player.  He was recognized as All-Conference 1st Team in the OK White and an All-Area outfielder during his senior year.  After his senior year in high school, he attended the Doyle Baseball School in Florida and was being scouted by the Cincinnati Reds until a shoulder injury ended his competitive baseball playing.  Coach Brown coached Varsity Softball at Forest Hills Northern before accepting the Rockford JV Coaching position.  He has coached travel softball with the Grand Rapids Blaze and he has worked with Michigan Elite to build their softball program.  In June of 2007, Coach Brown was asked to be a "Guest" Hitting Instructor at the University of Michigan Softball Camp.  Michigan Softball Coach, Carol Hutchins, asked Coach Brown to be a "Full Time" Hitting Instructor at the 2008 University of Michigan Softball Camp where he was the only high school coach working as an instructor at the University of Michigan Softball Camp in 2008.  Coach Brown lives with his wife, Tina, in Sparta.  They have three children, Kylie (13), Lexie (11), and Brady (5).  His wife, Tina is a fifth grade teacher in Kelloggsville and is also the Sparta Girls 6th Grade and AAU Basketball Coach.  Coach Brown is a Police Officer in East Grand Rapids and has been there for (15) years.  He has also worked for the West Michigan Whitecaps the last (10) years as a Corporate Security Officer.  Coach Brown is excited to work with the players, parents and other coaching staff at Rockford to help build the Rockford Softball Program into a perennial state softball power.

Coach Wells began his Rockford Softball Coaching debut at the freshman level from 1989 to 1991.  In 1992 and 1993, he moved up to the JV level.  After taking a leave of absence from coaching, we were happy to welcome him back as our freshman coach for the 2006 and 2007 seasons.  2008 season will find Coach Wells assisting at the JV level where he is familiar with many of the girls from the previous year (who happened to go undefeated as freshman).  He will also have the pleasure of coaching his daughter, Peyton, who is a freshman this year.  Coach Wells has been teaching Math at Rockford High School since 1988.  If you have ever been to a Whitecaps game, you may recognize Coach Wells as the energetic and comical Game-Day/On-Field announcer who is often entertaining the crowd between innings.  His players can tell you that is not an act.  Players and fellow coaches, alike, have come to appreciate and adore Coach Wells’ fun- loving and excited spirit!  He is a dedicated family-man and enjoys spending time with his wife, Sharon, his daughter, Peyton and his son Seth.   

Coach Schwander is a Rockford native and is eager to return now as a coach!  She is a recent graduate from Calvin College and has experience coaching high school athletes in the sport of volleyball.  Coach Schwander is married to Joe Schwander, a coach and teacher at Rockford High School.  They are expecting their first child in August!  Her softball experience ranges from Rockford Varsity softball, travel ball, and collegiate softball at Calvin where she lead her team in batting and to a second place finish in the MIAA.  Her softball highlight, however, was taking 3rd in the nation in travel softball, being the only Michigan team in the top 20!  Coach and Mr. Schwander enjoy many outdoor sports together and are highly involved in their local church. They both cherish the opportunities they have to work with young people academically and athletically."

Rockford Softball Rocks 2008