June 12, 2024
A group of the most talented high school senior athletes in the Grand Rapids area will soon face off in the annual John Bos Baseball and Softball All-Star Games to benefit Grand Rapids Community College scholarships.
This beloved, long standing local tradition will once again be hosted by GRCC and Davenport University in partnership with athletic equipment supplier Game One on June 18. Baseball games are scheduled for 3, 5, and 7 p.m., and softball games will be at 5 and 7 p.m. at Davenport University’s Farmers Athletic Complex.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to GRCC's John Bos Scholarship Fund, awarded to GRCC student-athletes who compete for at least one of the college's teams and maintain Michigan Community College Athletic Association eligibility.
Sue Goeman was once one of those student athletes.
Now serving as coordinator for facility and event operations for GRCC's Ford Fieldhouse, she played in the John Bos games and was awarded the Bos scholarship in 1988.
She still has fond memories of playing in the games.
“I played softball, and it was an honor and a privilege to play in the Bos All-Star games,” she said. “I knew every single girl on my team from either playing with them in Little League or against them in high school. We had a great time playing against other all-stars.”
And, she added, the experience significantly altered the course of her life.
“I didn’t originally have plans to go to college. Now here I sit, a 35-year employee, a GRJC graduate, and a very proud Raider. Without them and softball I would not be here at GRCC, a place very near and dear to my heart,” she said.
John Bos began his career at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College as a physical education teacher. By the 1920s, he coached all the men's sports teams, including football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, and swimming.
Bos’ teams, known as the "Bosmen", won state championships in football (1923, 1924, 1926 and 1928), basketball (1925, 1927 and 1928), tennis (1927) and swimming (1928), before he left GRJC in 1938 to head the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department.
The John Bos games have honored his legacy as a fixture in the local community since 1959, explained GRCC’s Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo. She added that, for generations, the games have showcased some of the best players in Kent and Ottawa counties.
“These games help our students access a college education by supporting them financially, while still allowing them to participate in collegiate athletics,” she said.
Goeman also said that behind-the-scenes efforts are what make the games possible for future student athletes.
“There are several coaches who played in the John Bos games who now coach in them. Also, all the umpires donate their time and expertise to make this successful,” she said.
GRCC’s student athletes have made excellence a tradition, both on and off the field, for more than 100 years, with teams competing in baseball, softball, basketball, cross country, golf, volleyball, and soccer.
Student athletes also receive academic counseling and advising, along with tutoring and peer academic coaching.
And the proceeds from the John Bos games and donations to the Bos Scholarship will continue to help make this possible.
To donate to the Bos Scholarship, please visit grcc.edu/donate, click "other" in the pull-down menu, and write in Bos Scholarship.
Tentative Schedule of Events:
Baseball:
3 p.m. – Ottawa Kent (OK) Silver vs OK Blue
5 p.m – OK Gold vs OK Green
7 p.m. – OK Red vs OK White
Softball:
5 p.m. – OK Blue, Silver, and Gold teams will be mixed
7 p.m. – OK Green, Red, and White teams will be mixed
This story was reported by Alissa Griffin.