Kuyper College Partners with MHSAA to Offer Students Statewide Coaching and Officiating Certification
Kuyper College students now have a direct path to becoming certified high school coaches and sports officials, thanks to a new partnership with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
Through Kuyper’s Leadership in Officiating and Coaching course, students can earn two key credentials: the MHSAA Officiating Certificate in the sport of their choice and the CAP 1 Coaching Certification—the required qualification for all high school coaches in Michigan.
The opportunity came after adjunct professors Ray Thomas and Tyler Whitcomb met with MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl and Lauren Roberts, an administrative assistant who helps oversee the association’s certification programs. Their conversation focused on how Kuyper students could earn meaningful, statewide credentials while still in college.
“All of this will be added to a professional coaching portfolio students build throughout the class,” said Whitcomb. “It’s a great way to give them a competitive edge whether they pursue coaching or officiating.”
Each student who completes the course will leave eligible to coach at the high school level and officiate in multiple sports. The hands-on certification work connects classroom learning with real-world experience—while also helping meet a growing statewide need for qualified coaches and officials.
“This is about more than just certification,” said Thomas. “We want students to understand the time, commitment and decision-making that coaches and officials bring to the game. Our goal is to help them see the court or field through that same lens.”
Students will also receive ongoing updates from the MHSAA on rule changes and new developments, keeping their training current and relevant.
“This partnership positions Kuyper as a leader in practical, career-ready sports education,” said Whitcomb. “It strengthens our curriculum, supports enrollment growth and builds strong connections with high school athletic programs across the state.”
The new offerings reflect Kuyper’s broader mission—to prepare students not just for academic success but for impactful, real-world leadership in sports, education and beyond.
