A young man with short light brown hair smiles at the camera, wearing a navy polo shirt with a small shield logo. The dark blue background features part of a large TPH Academy shield emblem behind him.

Austin Balkema

Grand Rapids | TPH Head of Academics provided by MIPS

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About Austin Balkema

Austin Balkema, originally from Hesperia, Michigan, recently relocated to Grand Rapids to serve as the Director of Academics at TPH Academy in Grand Rapids. Regarding his educational background, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Grand Valley State University in 2020. This degree provided the foundation for his career in student development and educational leadership within the sports industry.

Before joining TPH, Austin spent two years teaching health and physical education classes at Hesperia High School. Furthermore, he dedicated six years to coaching varsity baseball and gained valuable experience as a volunteer for local little league programs. These roles allowed him to develop a strong passion for mentoring young athletes and helping them achieve their personal goals.

Today, Austin applies his teaching and coaching expertise to manage the academic progress of student-athletes at the TPH Academy in Grand Rapids. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hiking, and camping, or simply hanging out with his dog. He remains an avid sports fan who values the discipline and teamwork learned through competitive athletic participation.

Connect with Austin Balkema

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A young man with short light brown hair smiles at the camera, wearing a navy polo shirt with a small shield logo. The dark blue background features part of a large TPH Academy shield emblem behind him.

Austin Balkema

Head of Academics provided by MIPS