Chris Hamstra joined the SVSU Women’s Swimming and Diving coaching staff for the program’s inaugural 2014-15 season as the team’s Assistant Coach.  He is entering his fourth season. 

Both the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving programs continued their upward climb during the 2016-17 season.  The women placed 4^th at the GLIAC Championship, with a record setting 438 points. The men improved to a 4^th place  finish (up from 6^th during the 2015-16 season) with 354 points.  Hamstra assisted in qualifying five swimmers and four relay teams for competition at the NCAA Division II National Championship. There, the team earned 32 points for a 25^th place finish overall. At season’s end, almost half the team earned academic honors from the CSCAA and/or GLIAC. 

The 2015-16 season was a success for both the second season women’s and first season men’s teams.  Their dual meet record was 7 Wins, 2 Losses.  At the GLIAC Championship Meet, Hamstra effectively coached several swimmers to personal or season best times.  He also assisted three swimmers to qualify to compete at NCAA Division II Nationals. 

The 2014-15 inaugural season got off to a strong start for the Lady Cardinals, as Hamstra assisted the team to 7 in-a-row victories in dual meets.  The team ended the season with 7 Wins, 3 Losses, and placed 8^th at the GLIAC Championship meet.

Hamstra comes to Saginaw Valley after being the head coach of the West Michigan Swimmers, a USA club in Zeeland, Mich.  He also served as the Assistant Pool Manager for the Swimmers.

Prior to serving as the head coach of the Swimmers, Hamstra was the Head Coach and Aquatics Director at Alma College from 2007-2013. 

During his time at Alma, the Scots broke 40 school records and had more than 125 all-time top-10 performances.  He coached two Division III All-Americans, five all-conference swimmers and one Conference "Diver of the Year."  He recently had a student-athlete earn individual Academic All-American Honorable Mention honors in 2013.  He stressed academics to his team and his student-athletes were ranked seventh in Women's Team GPA in all of NCAA Division III for the 2009-10 season.  Hamstra also served on the Hall of Fame Committee during his time with the Scots.

Hamstra has also served as the Assistant Coach at Hope College (2006-07), where he assisted in coaching multiple all-american student-athletes and guided several student-athletes to national qualifying performances.

He is a 2004 graduate of Hope College, where he was an all-american swimmer while getting his bachelor's degree in Accounting.  Chris currently resides in Alma with his wife, Caitlin.  The couple is expecting their first child in early September.