Nicole & Ben Sleeman
Nicole & Ben Sleeman: August Game Changer Award Winners
Nicole and Ben Sleeman have built their lives around guiding, encouraging, and inspiring young people, both in the classroom and on the soccer field. This August, the husband-and-wife duo were recognized as CYSA’s Game Changer Award winners for their dedication to coaching within West Michigan Galaxy Soccer.
Nicole, who grew up in Middleville, and Ben, who grew up in Otsego, both developed a passion for athletics at a young age. They started with AYSO soccer, then expanded into other sports; Ben playing basketball and baseball alongside soccer, Nicole running track and playing volleyball and basketball. Both went on to play collegiate soccer, Nicole at Cornerstone University and Ben at Spring Arbor University, experiences that deepened their appreciation for the game and introduced them to coaching youth athletes at camps and clinics.
That early spark has carried into their adult lives. As teachers in Middleville, the Sleemans have found that their skills in the classroom translate seamlessly to coaching. “Being able to manage kids, while still teaching them, is something we both do very well,” they said. “Parenting has also given us patience and understanding for what kids are going through. We’re not always perfect, but we do our best.”
For Nicole and Ben, coaching is about more than drills and game strategies, it’s about creating a culture of fun, growth, and encouragement. “Our style is focused on fun and learning,” they explained. “We push the girls to make mistakes and try new things, because failure tends to be the best teacher in life.”
As parents of four daughters, Rosie (8), Ivy (6), Lily (4), and Zinnia (2), the Sleemans are deeply committed to showing young girls the value of strength, resilience, and confidence. Rosie and Ivy are already playing basketball and soccer locally, while their younger sisters happily tag along to practices and games. “Coaching girls’ youth sports is a way for us to share the power of strong young women with the community,” Nicole and Ben said.
Approachability is a trademark of their coaching style. They work hard to meet players where they are, using kid-friendly language, silly metaphors, and plenty of positive reinforcement. “We make sure to spread the praise around and pay attention to the kids who might need a little more encouragement,” they explained. “We both know each other so well that we can feed off one another, balancing strengths and weaknesses to make our teams stronger.”
One highlight of the season was watching their players compete in their first “big tournament” in Traverse City. Even though the team lost in the final, the Sleemans said the joy, energy, and pride the girls showed was unforgettable.
Being named August’s Game Changer Award recipients was both surprising and humbling for the couple. “We don’t ever expect acknowledgment, because we love what we do,” they said. “But it’s motivating to know that our efforts have a massive impact on the kids we see each day.”
The recognition, they hope, serves as a reminder of how much time and energy coaches, teachers, and volunteers invest in youth. “A lot of it goes unnoticed. Hopefully, people can take a moment to appreciate the adults who show up every day to help kids grow as athletes and as humans.”
To the Sleemans, youth sports play a pivotal role in shaping a community. Beyond teaching fundamentals, soccer becomes a vehicle for life lessons. It’s about teamwork, perseverance, and the value of effort over perfection. “The biggest thing we try to teach our players is that failure is okay when you are giving your best effort,” they said.
Whether they’re in the classroom, at practice, or spending time together as a family outdoors, Nicole and Ben are living examples of what it means to guide the next generation with passion. Their impact on Galaxy Soccer, and the broader Caledonia community, is one worth celebrating.
August Game Changer Award Sponsor: Caledonia Youth Football Association