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Michael Schanhals

MI: Holland
 
Profile
Michael Schanhals has a long association with the program, first as an athlete, then as coach of the college's club team and now as head coach of the NCAA program.

Schanhals guided the Flying Dutchmen to their best varsity season in 2021. They hosted their second MIAA Tournament match. They have qualified for postseason play twice, and made it to the sweet sixteen in 2021.

Schanhals played goalie and attack on Hope's club team and was elected captain in 1990. He played post-collegiately as a member of the Grand Rapids LC, Shooters LC, and the Westside Blue Dragons LC.

After graduating from Hope, he went on to coach the varsity program at East Grand Rapids High School where he led the Pioneers to a state finals appearance in 1992, and the program's first state championship in 1993. In 1994. East Grand Rapids went 14-0 to complete its only undefeated season, and to finish with another state championship. Schanhals was selected as the Coach of the Year in Class B in 1994.

He left East Grand Rapids to take a teaching position in the North Muskegon Public schools where he has taught English for the past 18 years. In 2000, he earned his M.A. in Curriculum from Michigan State University. He has coached football, basketball, and tennis during his tenure at North Muskegon. He also is a U.S. Lacrosse certified official.

In 2004, Schanhals coached the varsity at Grand Haven High School to a record of 13-5.

In the fall of 2000, Hope made a move to compete in Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) as a part of the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association. Schanhals was named head coach at the beginning of the 2005 spring season. The Flying Dutchmen were the Central Division Champs in 2010, and Schanhals was named the CCLA Coach-of-the-Year in 2009.

Schanhals teaches in the North Muskegon school systems. He is married to Elizabeth Meyers ('91) Schanhals, whom he met when she was playing on the Flying Dutch field hockey team. They have two sons, Nick and Tommy, and live in North Muskegon.