Kevin Ford

For Kevin Ford, youth sports have always been about much more than what happens on the field. They’re about showing up, building relationships, learning to push through challenges and giving kids a place where they can grow together. That commitment to young athletes and the Caledonia community is why Kevin has been selected as the August 2026 CYSA Game Changer Award recipient.

Kevin serves as Secretary of the Caledonia Youth Football Association (CYFA) Board and is a familiar face on the sidelines, coaching both tackle and flag football. Whether he is helping make important improvements behind the scenes, organizing information for the Board or spending hours on the field with young athletes, Kevin is always willing to step in wherever he is needed.

Kevin grew up in the John Ball Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids and attended West Catholic. One of four children, sports were a major part of his childhood, and he spent much of his younger years tagging along with his older brother, Corey, who was seven years older. While other kids might have been watching Saturday morning cartoons, Kevin jokes, “I never watched Disney, but knew my morning SportsCenter by heart.” His dad, Jim, used to tell him that if he knew his schoolwork as well as he knew sports, he would be an astronaut.

Kevin also grew up seeing firsthand what it meant to give your time to young athletes. His family was heavily involved at St. James, where his dad served as Athletic Director for years and coached both baseball and softball. Watching his dad devote so much time to youth sports left an impression on Kevin and, as he puts it, “gave me the coaching bug.”

Today, Kevin carries that tradition forward with his own family. He and his wife, Jessica, have been married since 2015 and have three children: Alex, a fifth grader; Vinny, a first grader; and Rosalie, who attends DLECC. The Ford family recently made Caledonia home after previously living in Kentwood, but their connection to the community began when Alex was selected through Schools of Choice to attend Paris Ridge.

It didn't take long for the Caledonia sports community to make an impression on Kevin. He remembers one of his first experiences coaching through Caledonia Baseball Softball League (CBSL), when he didn't know many people or quite what to expect. As luck would have it, his team played against coaches Clement, Wisner and Glasscock. “Those coaches made me feel like one of the boys from day one,” Kevin recalled. Even after the game, they would make a point to stop and say hello when they saw him around the diamonds, despite barely knowing one another at the time. “Instances like that show you what Cal sports and community is about, and I will never forget those gestures.”

With a lifelong love of sports, coaching experience and friendships already established within CYFA, becoming more involved with the organization felt like a natural next step. Kevin has officially served on the CYFA Board for about a year, although his involvement with youth sports extends well beyond his Board title. When asked what inspired him to become Secretary, Kevin joked that it started with Neal Scheuneman texting him, “Hey buddy...” Today, Kevin records meeting discussions and prepares minutes for the Board, assists with social media and helps wherever and whenever he can. For him, a big part of the job is simply being present.

That team-first approach extends to Kevin's professional life as well. He works for Corewell Health at the Medical Center in downtown Grand Rapids as a supply chain supervisor. His team is responsible for picking supplies for surgical cases at Butterworth Hospital, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and the Meijer Heart Center, as well as supplying medical materials to specialty areas throughout the campus. Kevin says he approaches leading his team at work much like he approaches coaching: everyone works together to achieve a common goal.

One of Kevin's favorite parts of coaching is seeing what different versions of football can bring out in young athletes. Flag football gives some athletes who may not typically get the opportunity to run with or throw the ball during a tackle game a chance to showcase their athleticism in a different way. With tackle football, he loves watching kids who may not know one another at the beginning of a season become teammates and friends. “Hours on a field in the middle of summer heat, running and tackling each other will bring a team together fast,” he said.

While Kevin certainly wants his players to learn the game, the lessons he hopes they take away from football go much deeper. “When things get tough and your mind tells you to quit, don't,” he tells his athletes. Another message he emphasizes is the importance of believing in yourself: “If you don't believe, how is anyone else going to?”

One moment from last season perfectly captured that perseverance. Greenville had driven nearly the entire length of the field, gaining four or five yards at a time, before Caledonia's defense refused to give in and came up with a goal-line stand. On the very next play, Caledonia's running back broke free for a 99.5-yard touchdown. It was the kind of dramatic swing that makes football memorable and the kind of moment that shows young athletes what can happen when they keep fighting.

Kevin's impact on CYFA isn't limited to game days. During his time with the organization, he has helped support major program improvements, including efforts surrounding new helmets and uniforms for athletes. For Kevin and the CYFA Board, athlete safety has been a top priority. He also credits the generosity of the Caledonia community for helping make those improvements possible. “Caledonia is a very close-knit community, and the generosity of donating toward CYFA so we can make this a reality was something special to make all of us proud,” Kevin said. He is also particularly proud of the thought and care that goes into tackle assessments and team placements each season.

Balancing a career, three children, coaching and Board responsibilities isn't always easy, and Kevin is quick to give credit to his wife. “Jessica is a saint,” he said. Even with a busy schedule, he continues to make volunteering a priority because of what he sees in the kids. “My motivation is seeing the growth in our athletes on the field and off,” Kevin said. “I will make time so all kids have a chance to be out there. Whether I have time to coach or not, I will figure it out.”

In just a few years, Kevin has gone from being the new coach in town to someone countless athletes and families recognize. As he jokingly puts it, “Everyone knows Coach Kevin, the big guy with the bucket hat!” That connection to the community is especially meaningful considering his family has only been part of Caledonia for about four years. When he learned that he had been selected as a CYSA Game Changer, his reaction was genuine surprise. “I was shocked and honored,” Kevin said. “Only being in the community for four years, I didn't expect this recognition.”

His nominator described Kevin as someone who consistently puts the needs of CYFA athletes and families first. For Kevin, that commitment comes down to loyalty. “If I give my word to something, I will give 100% to whatever needs to be done for the team and especially the kids,” he said.

Looking ahead, Kevin believes the future of Caledonia football starts long before athletes reach Friday nights under the lights. “We need to stay the path and keep evolving,” he said. “The road to Ford Field starts at the youth program.”

He also hopes more parents and community members will consider stepping onto the sidelines and giving coaching a chance, even if they don't think they have enough experience. Kevin knew football when he started coaching, but baseball had always been his primary sport. Being paired with experienced coaches helped him learn, build confidence and discover how much he enjoyed coaching the game. “We will not throw anyone to the wolves,” Kevin said. “We have a lot of knowledge to assist anyone who is hesitant to come out on the sidelines. That is for tackle or flag.”

Most importantly, Kevin wants CYFA families to know how seriously coaches and volunteers take the trust placed in them. “Thank you. I appreciate you trusting us with your young athletes. This is not something we take for granted, and we truly do try and make the best decisions for the athletes and the community.”

That willingness to show up, serve wherever he's needed and put young athletes first embodies what the CYSA Game Changer Award is all about. Congratulations to Kevin Ford, our August 2026 CYSA Game Changer!

August Sponsors: Nicolette & Drew Happie