Phil Visser

Phil’s impact can be felt across gyms, fields, classrooms, and sidelines throughout the Caledonia community.

Phil and his wife Brooke have called Caledonia home for 19 years. Married for nearly 22 years, they are raising their son Duncan in the same community where they both teach, coach, and invest countless hours serving kids and families. What first brought Phil to Caledonia was coaching high school basketball during the 2005–2006 season, followed by Brooke accepting a teaching position in the district in 2006. What has kept them here though, is love for the community and belief that Caledonia is a special place to raise a family.

Sports have always played an important role in Phil’s life. Growing up, he participated in soccer, tennis, cross country, and basketball, eventually discovering basketball as his true passion. Along the way coaches at every level helped shape his understanding of teamwork and leadership. Those lessons still guide him today.

Phil’s primary volunteer focus is youth basketball, where he coaches multiple Thunder teams, leads a CYBL team, and currently serves as the leader of the Caledonia Youth Basketball League. In addition, he has coached flag football for the past three years, serves as the team manager for his son’s Galaxy soccer team, and plans to assist with the 3rd and 4th grade tackle football program. His involvement spans multiple programs within Caledonia, reflecting both his passion for sports and his willingness to step in wherever help is needed.

As Galaxy soccer team manager, Phil handles everything from scheduling and paperwork to referee payments and sideline morale. In youth football, he began as an assistant coach in 2022 and has since served as a head coach during both fall and spring seasons. No matter the role, his focus remains the same…creating an environment where kids are excited to play.

When asked what he enjoys most about working with young athletes, Phil points to their growth, not just as players, but as people. Watching kids gain confidence and discover joy in a sport is what makes the time commitment worthwhile. With every team he emphasizes three core goals: have fun, be a good teammate, and work hard. If those goals are met, Phil considers the season a success.

As the leader of the Caledonia Youth Basketball League, Phil is especially proud of the program’s reach and accessibility. Nearly 500 kids fill local gyms over a ten-week season, creating opportunities for young athletes to be introduced to the game and for some to fall in love with basketball for the first time. While he credits Andy Backus for building the foundation of CYBL, Phil has focused on thoughtful improvements that help the program continue to grow and serve the community well.

Beyond sports, many students know Phil as “Mr. Visser” in the 8th grade math department at Duncan Lake Middle School. His path into education began unexpectedly, when a summer camp experience revealed his natural connection with kids. Encouraged by a mentor and guided by faith, Phil pursued teaching at Calvin and has now spent more than two decades in the classroom. That experience deeply influences his coaching. He views the court and the field as extensions of the classroom. Just as every student learns differently, every athlete needs something unique, and Phil works hard to meet kids where they are.

For Phil, success isn’t measured by wins and losses. It’s measured by whether kids want to come back next season. Moments that stand out to him often involve players who rarely get the spotlight, like a kindergarten basketball player scoring their first basket in the final game, or a football player reaching the end zone for the first time. Experiencing those moments and the joy that comes with them are what make coaching worthwhile.

Being named a Game Changer is an honor Phil accepts humbly. He is quick to point out that youth sports only exist because of volunteers, and he believes every coach who gives their time deserves recognition. With dozens of coaches and assistants supporting CYBL and countless others across CYSA programs, Phil sees himself as part of a much larger team working together to give kids opportunities to grow.

His advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple…you don’t need to know everything to get started. If you’re willing to learn, ask questions, and make time, the experience is incredibly rewarding. Giving back to kids, Phil believes, is always worth it.

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