84th St Sliders

With the 84th St Sliders flagship team player updates complete one more post on this Memorial Day Weekend to remember the fallen American heroes honored by the coaching staff.

We are grateful and humbled by the enormity of sacrifice made by these true American heroes. We encourage everyone to be your most positively impactful self, chase your dreams in life and to never forget the men and women who gave it all.

Coach Santana continues to honor fallen American hero Marine Corporal Ross A Smith of Wyoming, MI

Coach Berkenpas along with Nolan Bainbridge continues to honor fallen American hero Army Corporal Nicholas R Roush of Middleville, MI.

Coach Schuelke continues to honor fallen American hero Army Pfc Holly J McGeogh of Taylor, MI

It’s Memorial Day 2026 and as we draw closer to America’s 250th birthday 84th St Sliders continues to provide some life updates on past players along with remembering their chosen American hero. One of the greatest gifts in doing our part to ‘Never Forget’ those who’ve sacrificed it all is in the inspiration it’s given each of us to fearlessly chase our dreams in this lifetime. Maybe this is the finest way we can honor a gift we can never fully repay.

Our next player update is on long time Sliders player Austin VanderMarkt. ‘AV’ was one of the most electrifying athletes in Byron Center HS history where he starred in both football (QB of ‘20 team that began 10-0) and baseball (3x district champ & threw perfect game in MHSAA playoffs vs Jenison at Jenison. He went on to Davenport University where he went 11-4 win/loss over his career. Austin earned his bachelors degree and is wrapping up his Master’s at DU.

Austin continues to honor the life & legacy of fallen American hero Army SSG Christopher G Smith. Smith of Grand Rapids, MI was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom on December 24th, 2008. He was one of three soldiers who died on Christmas Eve when their vehicle crashed in Baghdad. Smith was an avid outdoorsman and University of Michigan football fan.

May we never forget American hero Christopher Smith❤️🇺🇸