Kurt Gruppen returns for his fourth year on the Pioneer coaching staff in 2014-15. This season, he will focus strictly as an assistant for the varsity squad where in years past he was also responsible for head coaching duties for the junior varsity team.
Gruppen earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Trinity Christian (IL) College in 2009 and completed his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Malone last year.
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Gruppen served as an assistant coach on Trinity Christian’s staff during the 2009-10 season. Then, in 2010-11, he worked as an assistant for Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, Michigan.
A native of Zeeland, Michigan, Gruppen was a standout forward for Coach Walker at Trinity Christian from 2004-2009, scoring over 1700 career points and earning all-conference recognition from the CCAC (Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) three times.
After putting together an incredible senior season in which he averaged over 20 points per game and shot over 50% from beyond the three-point line, Gruppen was named an NAIA Third Team All-American and the 2009 recipient of the Pete Maravich Award, the NCCAA’s (National Christian College Athletic Association) top honor for a men’s basketball player. In addition to these prestigious accolades following his senior season, Gruppen was also tabbed an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American following his junior campaign of 2007-08.
Coach Walker was very pleased to add such a high-caliber athlete and individual to his staff upon his arrival at Malone. “Kurt Gruppen is one of the best players that I have ever coached and he played a foundational role in much of the success we had during his college career,” noted Walker. “In addition to his basketball success, he is one of the finest individuals I have ever been around. He is a tremendous worker and he will be an invaluable asset to our program both on and off the court. I am truly excited to have Kurt and his wife Karley as part of our Malone basketball program.”
Kurt, his wife, Karley, and their son, Kaleb (age 1 ½), reside in Canton.
