Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Honey Sychtysz

The Kent Reporter Coach of the Month is Honey Sychtysz from Kentwood. Sychtysz coaches unified basketball as awell as track and field for the Conks.

KSD Athletics is working with coaches and athletes to better understand #myreasonwhy they participate in athletics. Please share with us your reasons for coaching.

As a former athlete, now coach, I have played year-round sports for most of my life. Over time, I came to realize just how much I relied on sports to help me through the days. Being involved with sports and having a team gave me the outlet I needed not only physically, but socially. Sports brought so much joy to me that I feel everyone should have that opportunity to experience it. I feel that every student, both with or without disabilities, should have the opportunity to play on a team. I strive to be able to teach students of all backgrounds and levels new skills, how to work together as a team, and most importantly for them to know that they matter. At the end of the day, I want all of my athletes and students to have FUN.

What are some of the ways you seek to explore and provide opportunities for students to become involved in athletics?

Being a Unified coach, I listen to what sports the students want to play. In the Fall, we have the opportunity to try new things. Last year, we played cornhole whereas this year we played badminton. During the winter months we play basketball and, in the spring, we participate in track and field. When we’re not on the court or on the track, we spend time in the classroom getting to know one another better with social activities. As we try new sports and develop new skills, not all students can play with the standard equipment so I try my best to modify the sport so that all can participate. It is my goal to make sure each student is given the opportunity to play. For example, the “birdy” in badminton was too small of an item for some to hit. Instead, we used a balloon for that group so that they could participate and learn with the others. Something new that we are trying is that I will have the students with disabilities walk to the lunchroom to ask among fellow peers and students if any will play with them. Not only does this help the students bond, but it creates a sense of unity within the school among the peers. We know this works and is effective since the students of Kentwood are constantly and consistently making appearances at meets and games to support our athletes.

After they leave your school, what are some of things you hope your students will take away from their experiences on your teams and with athletics?

My hope is that when my students leave Kentwood High School, they know that they themselves matter and that they have made a difference in someone else’s life. I want them to know that they can continue to make a difference in the lives around them both in sports and in life. It is my goal to have the students carry on the values of both being a leader and being a team player. I want them to be known as the one others can go to. All of the skills and lessons that I teach them and that they learn at Kentwood High School are what I want them to continue to use every day and to also spread to others. Wherever the students go, whatever they decide to do, I would hope that they create an environment of unity like I hope to have done for them.

Do you have a favorite book that has helped you become a better coach?

The book that has helped me the most is the Bible. As a core piece of my life, the Bible has provided me with the lessons and tools to treat everyone the way that I would want to be treated. Values such as kindness, gratitude and humility are what I try to bring to my coaching, and it is from this book that I carry those attributes.

Why does this coach deserve to be honored as Coach of the Month?

Coach Honey is a leader, a mentor, and a true champion of inclusion. As the head coach of our Unified program, she fosters an environment where athletes of all abilities feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her dedication goes beyond the game; she instills confidence, teamwork, and respect in every player she coaches. Her passion for inclusion and her unwavering belief in her athletes create a team culture that celebrates effort, growth, and camaraderie. She not only teaches the fundamentals of the sport but also uplifts every player to be an integral part of the team. Through her leadership, she has inspired the Kentwood community and beyond to value and appreciate supporting one another and to come together in the spirit of Unified Sports. For her commitment to the program, dedication to athletes, and her inspiring efforts to foster a culture of inclusion, Coach Honey is more than deserving of this recognition as Coach of the Month.