2007 All Star West
Ryan Van Bergen
Defensive Line
6’5″ 260 lbs.
High School Coach: Andy Malbouef
High School: Whitehall, B
College: University of Michigan
Ryan was a three-year starter at Whitehall High School. He was also on varsity his freshman year at Shadow Ridge HS in Las Vegas. Ryan began playing flag football at Nellis AFB when he was six. As a freshman and sophomore heplayed linebacker and tight end. As a junior he played defensive end and as a senior he was moved to different positions. On offense his primary position was tight end. He also played wide receiver full back. He was also the kicker. Ryan was voted Most Inspirational by his teammates all three years and MVP his senior year. He was team Captain his junior and senior years.
Ryan also started at varsity basketball all four years. His sophomore year the track coach convinced him to try track. His junior year he broke the school record in discus and was unbeaten in discus the entire regular season. At state he placed in the shot put. Ryan also received all state academic honors. Ryan was one of the six male finalists for the Detroit Athletic Club’s Michigan Student Athlete of the Year.
Ryan thanked his extended family. His father, Charles, is the “youngest of 12 kids who all live in the area, so there are many relatives” supporting Ryan. His grandparents, Cliff and Gloria Verschueren, have not missed a game played by Ryan or Tyler since the Van Bergen’s moved back to the area. His other grandparents, Al and Doris Van Bergen, listen to every game that airs on radio. Ryan also thanked all of the coaches that he has had. “They have all contributed to my getting to where I am today.”Ryan thanked his teammates from this past season and said, “I will miss them and the wonderful year that we had together.”
Awards
All West Michigan Conference Defensive End, 05 & 06
All West Michigan Conference Tight End, 2005 & 2006
All Area First Team Defensive End, Muskegon Chronicle, 2005 & 2006
All Area HM Linebacker, Muskegon Chronicle, 2004
All State Class B lst Team Defensive Lineman, AP, 06
Dream Team Defensive Line, Detroit Free Press, 2006
National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award, 2006
McDonalds Scholar Athlete of the Week, Fox 17 News, 05
#1 Defensive End in the State, Rivals.com, 2006
#9 Top Senior Football Prospects, Lansing State Journal, 06
#22 Best of the Midwest Top 25, Detroit Free Press, 2006