By Mike Penn
Director of Scouting

Heath Hoogerhyde, C/UT, Caledonia HS recently committed to play both football and baseball at Grand Valley State. Hoogerhyde provides good athleticism and versatility as a player. Here is what he had to say about his recruiting process:

PBR: Congrats on committing to Grand Valley State. Why did you choose GVSU?
Hoogerhyde: I chose GVSU because of there academics and there willingness to allow me to play both football and baseball. In fact they encouraged they encouraged me to play both.

PBR: You are going to play both baseball and football in college. Were you entertaining the idea of just playing one sport in college? Or were you always planning on playing both?
Hoogerhyde: Well I was always planing on playing just baseball in college. Then I had a great senior football season and the possibility of playing both came about so I jumped in it right away.

PBR: What advice would you give to other potential two-sport athletes?
Hoogerhyde: I would say if you love those two sports enough to work as hard as you can and give it 100% all the time, then your goal should be to play both in college not just one. 

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
The other schools that I talked to were Saginaw Valley State, Michigan Tech, and Northern Michigan.

PBR: Was distance from home a factor in your decision?
Hoogerhyde: Distance from home really didn't matter to me because I'm going to a school to make a new home for the up coming years, not to drive home whenever.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play for the baseball team?
Hoogerhyde: We haven't got in to all the details on the baseball side of it yet but we are sitting down soon. I see myself as a utility player on the team.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help your team?
Hoogerhyde: Well I think my biggest strength in baseball is being a very consistent hitter and being a guy that can play any position that coach needs me to.

PBR: Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for your team going into your senior season?
Hoogerhyde: Individually my goals are all-conference, best hitter on the team, and all-state. As for my team goals we want to win a conference championship and to make a run in the post season. 

PBR: Who is the best player you have played against in the state?
Hoogerhyde: I would have to say the best player I've played against in the state is Mick VanVossen who is now at MSU. The most recent one was last year, Jonnah Lakatos (Forrest Hills Central HS) and Colin Gee (West Ottawa HS).