A Generational Approach to Sports in Grand Rapids: An Interview with Christian Van Andel and Cole DeVos
The DeVos and Van Andel Families Share Insights on the MLS NEXT Pro Debut in Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids, MI – In January of 1995, Dan DeVos and David Van Andel shared their plan to bring a professional hockey team to Grand Rapids. Now, 30 years later, the two – joined by sons Christian Van Andel and Cole DeVos – announced their intent to usher in a new era of professional soccer in the city.
Earlier this month, the families introduced West Michigan Soccer as the newest independent team to join MLS NEXT Pro, the top development league for professional men’s soccer in the country.
Though three decades apart, the aspirations for both teams share unique similarities, with the Grand Rapids Griffins laying the blueprint for becoming a model franchise for a sport relatively new to a city.
Preceded by just under a decade of semi-pro hockey in the city, with six seasons of the Rockets in the ‘50s and three more from the Owls in the late 1970s, the Grand Rapids Griffins were announced in early 1995, with plans to play their first season in the recently established Van Andel Arena in the fall of 1996.
The development of the arena was the final catalyst in attracting a top-tier hockey team to the region, just as plans for the 8,500-seat Amway Stadium have helped pave the way for soccer today.
In a past interview recapping the illustrious history of the Griffins in Grand Rapids, with two Calder Cup championships in 2013 and 2017, David and Dan shared how they didn’t know what the appetite for sports was in the city. This is where the parallels stop, as we know today that Grand Rapids punches well above its weight when it comes to sports, amongst other things, consistently ranking as leaders in attendance with the Griffins in the AHL, the West Michigan Whitecaps in baseball’s minor leagues, the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League, and most recently, the Grand Rapids Rise in women’s professional volleyball.
“We know from all of the research we’ve done that Michigan is one of those places that’s underserved from a professional soccer perspective. We also know of the success the Van Andel and DeVos families have had in various sports,” said MLS NEXT Pro President Charles Altcheck. “We share a commitment to the local communities where our teams live, work and play, and we are confident that their club will create opportunities in Grand Rapids and across the state of Michigan for all those who want to be involved in the beautiful game.”
Like the Griffins, West Michigan Soccer has been preceded by other semi-pro sports organizations, such as Grand Rapids FC, which built an impressive following and dedicated fan base from 2015 to 2021. So not only has the appetite for sports been confirmed, but for soccer specifically as well.
Cole DeVos, West Michigan Soccer leadership team.
“Soccer is a rising sport. It's a sport that has continued to grow in the United States,” shared Cole DeVos, a third-generation member of the DeVos family, who will serve in a leadership role for West Michigan Soccer. “We see it as a way to bring different communities together. Soccer is truly a global sport that unites people of all different backgrounds, and we recognize its potential to reach across so many areas and diverse populations in the community.”
The goals for the team stretch far beyond soccer, as did the initial vision for the Griffins, to build community, transform the downtown and broader reaches of the city, and to maximize a new community asset to bring people together around a common cause, both in the stadium and the surrounding area.
“We see it as a way to bring different communities together. Soccer is truly a global sport that unites people of all different backgrounds, and we recognize its potential to reach across so many areas and diverse populations in the community.”
Christian Van Andel, West Michigan Soccer leadership team.
“Our intention all along has been for teams to be about more than the sport – it is an investment in the economic and social vitality of our city and region,” said Christian Van Andel, a third-generation member of the Van Andel family, who will also serve in a leadership role, alongside his brothers Jesse, Aaron, and Kyle. “We are always dedicated to offering an exciting and memorable experience both on and off the field. We want to engage with the community at a high level, which is incredibly impactful and important for us. We've done it with the Griffins and other teams, and it's beneficial for all involved, especially the community.”
It may have taken the Griffins just shy of two decades to win their first title (which is actually quite a short time frame in the world of sports, just ask any Detroit fan!), but they built a championship culture from day one.
The buzz around the city was almost immediate, and it wasn’t just enthusiasm for game nights, it was all the excitement that comes from people talking about sports, coming together to support a team, and the realization of what hockey and the city meant to them.
Grand Rapids Griffins
“We've been in the hockey business for 30 years, so we understand that success doesn't happen overnight. It's a long process of finding the right people and players to come together and fit well. You also need the community behind the team,” Christian shared. “It took some time for the Griffins to win their first championship. There were growing pains, but we understand what it takes to build something like that, and we're capable of doing it here with the soccer team.”
“Our intention all along has been for teams to be about more than the sport – it is an investment in the economic and social vitality of our city and region.”
"We draw on this experience to guide our strategy for soccer. With the wealth of knowledge we've gained, both about success and failure, we are focused on creating a winning culture through investment in top talent, with an emphasis on youth talent, and strong leadership,” added Cole. “We want to be seen as a place where if you're coming to play soccer, you're part of something bigger than yourself."
Like their grandfathers’ (Amway founders Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos) and fathers’ sports and entertainment leadership in the city across the decades, the families’ investment and involvement is more about Grand Rapids than soccer itself.
“It’s a multigenerational feeling that we all align on, that we need to do something to make this city as special as we believe it is, and this generation is not going to stop,” continued Cole. “We're inspired by what our grandparents and parents have done, and we want to continue to grow Grand Rapids and this community. We see the potential here firsthand, and we’re confident it will lead to more in the future.”
Christian agrees, stating: “I think we were fortunate enough to learn from our grandparents and parents. We got to see firsthand their perspective on what it means to care for this community, give back, and make this place the best it can be. We take those lessons to heart and want to continue carrying them forward as the next generation – to have a larger impact, not just economically but also with a focus on community connection.”
Amway Stadium & West Michigan Soccer will potentially unlock 500-550 housing units nearby & driving more than $400 million in net new economic impact and job creation for the city.
West Michigan Soccer plans to play its home matches at Amway Stadium beginning in the spring of 2027, located on the West Side of Grand Rapids at 230 Winter Ave. NW, with construction scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.
The hope is that the new stadium and team will become landmarks in Grand Rapids, much like the Griffins and Van Andel Arena before them, embodying the city's growth and the enduring legacy of private support. The team and stadium also aim to serve as a catalyst for economic growth on the West Side, as the arena has done for downtown, potentially unlocking the development of 500 to 550 housing units nearby and driving more than $400 million in net new economic impact and job creation for the city.
“This team will help put Grand Rapids on the national stage,” Christian said in close. “It's incredibly important that opportunities like this, along with our previous efforts in building high-quality teams, continue to elevate Grand Rapids as a growing and developing city – bringing more vision, investment, and more people to our region. It will do wonders in that regard.”
In 2027, fans will fill Amway Stadium, cheering on West Michigan’s newest soccer club. Stay updated the team and stadium progress, and explore everything happening along the Grand Riverfront.
New to soccer? Check out our New Fan's Guide to Soccer.
