Erik Donders intends for his new job as Brandon’s varsity wrestling coach to be part of a full-fledged transition to the Brandon community.
Donders, 37, was hired as the Blackhawks? new coach for the 2006-07 season after spending last season as an assistant to former coach Josh Cross. He previously spent time as an assistant coach at Michigan Center High School in Jackson during the 2000-01 school year and volunteered as an assistant at Lake Superior State University from 1992-94.
He also brings plenty of high school and college wrestling experience to the table. Donders was a three-time state qualifier at DeWitt High School in the Lansing area, and was a two-time national qualifer at Lake Superior State, as well as an All-American his senior year at 126 pounds.
At this point, Donders said the team is working on weighlifting and conditioning during voluntary sessions. He said between 10-15 people show up for these sessions.
‘They’re in there getting some discipline for themselves and showing they can get things accomplished without supervision,? he said.
In addition, he said getting students interested in the Blackhawks? program is a priority. To accomplish that objective, Brandon High School teacher Greg Hyde, who will be an assistant on this year’s team, has been spreading the word to prospective wrestlers about the program.
‘We’re expecting a good turnout,? Donders said. ‘Right now, we have 35 kids that have said they would be taking part in the program ? of those, 15 are returning and 20 are new kids.?
The first official day students can hit the mats for wrestling in Michigan, according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, is Monday, Nov. 13. The Blackhawks? first meet of the season is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Donders said the only way to develop a successful wrestling program at the high school level is to get kids involved in wrestling at an early age, and teach them the same principles from when they first start in the sport through the high school level. He said the keys to being successful in high school wrestling are to be disciplined, mentally tough, and work well within a structured environment.
Donders said the development of the Brandon Middle School program as well as the Brandon Bandits youth wrestling program will be key to the success of the high school program.
‘Kids don’t like to have a different coach every year,? he said. ‘With the same coach, they understand what to expect. Last year, we had 10 freshmen and two seniors. We couldn’t field a lineup where people were at their actual weight.?
Although Donders currently lives in Lake Orion, he said he has family in the Brandon area and plans to stick around in the community.
‘This is where I want to settle down,? he said.