My name is Aaron Huizenga, and I attended Grace Christian University beginning in 2000. I graduated in 2004. I earned a religious studies minor from Grace and completed a dual degree with Davenport University. My degree is in information technology, with a focus on network administration.
Right now, my primary job is working in IT at a furniture company called MillerKnoll here in Zeeland, Michigan. I also work part-time at a local church called Family Church, where I serve as the media and tech director. I wear a lot of different hats there, basically handling anything related to tech and audio. I’m also a youth group leader, so I’m involved in several different roles at the church.
What Are Some of Your Favorite Memories From Your Time at Grace?
I was just looking back recently and realized I played my first year of basketball at Grace 25 years ago, which is kind of crazy to think about. When I look back, some of my favorite memories were the road trips. We used to pile into those big white 15-passenger vans and travel all over the country with a group of guys. We had a blast—tons of fun and a lot of great memories.
I was always kind of the “old man” of the group maturity-wise, so I usually ended up being the driver. I just have so many good memories of traveling around the country, playing in tournaments, and competing in basketball games all over the place.
How Did Being the Older Guy of the Group Influence Your Leadership and Who You Are Today?
With my size and stature—I’m about six foot seven—I always felt like a natural leader in high school. People looked up to me, both on the basketball court and in general. When I came to Grace, I tried to bring a more mature mindset to how we approached basketball and life, and I naturally ended up in a leadership role.
Being a team captain and helping set the tone for how we operated was important to me. I liked taking things seriously on the court, but I always wanted to bring the focus back to what really mattered, which was honoring God first. Basketball was always secondary to that for me. It wasn’t always that way, but when I got to Grace, that mindset shifted.
That change affected how I led, not just on the court, but in the classroom, with friends, and later in the workplace. It shaped how I approached life as a whole.
What Made You Shift That Mindset to Putting God First?
From the first day I stepped on campus at Grace, it was obvious that God was meant to be at the center of everything you do. Before Grace, I spent my freshman year at another college playing basketball. While it was a Christian school, we never really talked about God or priorities. The focus was almost entirely on basketball.
When I came to Grace, I immediately felt challenged with the question: Is God really at the center of your life, or are you here just for sports? I realized during my time at the other college that I had put so much into basketball, and when it didn’t give me what I wanted, I was left feeling empty.
That’s when it clicked for me. Basketball is temporary. If I made that my main focus, I was always going to be disappointed. That realization is what pushed me to shift my priorities and put God first.
Was There Someone at Grace Who Made a Big Impact on You?
Overall, I’d say the staff made a huge impact. That focus on keeping God at the center was consistent with everyone I interacted with. President Kemper became president during my junior year, in 2003. From the moment I met him, I could tell he was a strong, godly leader with his heart and priorities in the right place.
He reinforced the idea that God should always come first. You’re not at Grace just to play basketball; you’re there to be a leader, to be different, and to live in a way others can look up to. I felt that immediately from him.
I know he’s still there today and has been an incredible president. I really respect the way he’s stood firm in recent years, especially with everything happening in culture. He hasn’t caved to pressure. He’s stayed rooted in Scripture and committed to keeping God first.
Are There Lessons From Grace You Still Use Daily?
Absolutely. The biggest lessons for me were humility, patience, and grace. Life has a way of humbling you regularly. You’re not always going to get what you want, and things won’t always go the way you expect.
That humility leads into patience. God’s timing doesn’t always line up with our timing. And at the end of the day, none of us are perfect. I make mistakes all the time, but I know I have the grace of God.
As a husband and a father, those lessons shape how I live every day. I also try to make sure my kids are growing up with those same priorities in mind.
Do You Stay in Contact With Former Teammates?
Yes, I do. It’s amazing to look back 25 years later and see how many of us carried what we learned at Grace into our lives. One of my teammates, Rodney, is now a pastor who started a new church. Kyle Bohl and I have been close friends since high school. He’s always been there for me, through good times and bad, and he’s someone I go to for spiritual guidance.
I really value those friendships. Social media makes it easy to see what people are doing, and it’s encouraging to see so many former teammates who are strong husbands, fathers, and leaders.
What Advice Would You Give Current Student-Athletes?
My biggest advice is to set your priorities from day one. My freshman year, I was focused entirely on being a basketball player. I wasn’t thinking much beyond that. Don’t make your entire college experience about sports.
Sports are temporary. I love basketball, the competition, the grind, all of it. But most athletes won’t play professionally. Once you understand that, it changes your perspective. There’s so much more God wants to do with your life beyond sports.
If you center yourself on God from the beginning, it will shape how you lead on the court and off it. Having the right mindset makes your entire college experience more meaningful.
Was There a Moment You Realized God Was Calling You to Something Deeper?
One moment that stands out was playing at Hope College early in my time at Grace. My dad played basketball at Hope, so I knew a lot of people in the crowd. Being in that environment made me realize that, like it or not, athletes are being watched. People look up to you.
They watch how you respond to wins and losses. They watch how you carry yourself off the court. That was when it really hit me that basketball was a platform, a place to lead and be different.
I wanted people to notice that I was different because of where my heart was focused. Putting God at the center had to be intentional. If He wasn’t first, it was obvious. I never wanted to take for granted the opportunity to play college basketball. It’s an incredible gift, and I wanted to make sure God was the one I was ultimately playing for.
Looking Back 25 Years Later, What Are You Most Grateful For?
I’m incredibly thankful that I ended up at Grace. I came in at 19 as an immature kid focused on basketball. I left with a clear understanding of what really matters in life and how important it is to keep God at the center.
My wife and kids know where my heart is. Grace played a huge role in shaping that. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without my time there. I learned humility, patience, and how to listen for God’s calling.
I’m grateful for the friendships, the opportunity to play basketball, and the continued connection to Grace. Seeing leaders like Kyle still working there and Ryan Krombeen coaching reminds me that the focus remains the same: God first.
Basketball matters, but being an ambassador for Christ matters far more. That’s what truly lasts.
