For nearly three decades, Tammi Veerbeek has stood on the sideline at Western Christian High School, shaping athletes, mentoring young women and building a volleyball program rooted in faith, relationships and growth. A Dordt graduate and longtime coach, Veerbeek's journey reflects not only her own passion for athletics, but also rise of girls and women in sports over the past generation.

Veerbeek's coaching career began shortly after graduating from Dordt, when she took a position at Okoboji High School in Milford, Iowa. After three seasons there, she joined the Western Christian coaching staff, where she has now coached for 27 years.
Combined with her time at Okoboji, Veerbeek has devoted roughly 30 years to coaching.

Athletics became part of Veerbeek's life early. Growing up in Sioux Center as the oldest of five children, she was encouraged by her parents—especially her father—to participate in sports. She quickly fell in love with competition, teamwork and physical activity. Her passion was so clear that as a fifth grader, she wrote in a school assignment that she wanted to become a physical education teacher and coach someday.

"I loved PE. I thought it was awesome," Veerbeek said. "I loved being part of a team, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to stay involved in athletics."

Her experiences as a high school athlete helped cement that vision. Coaches like Tom Van Den Bosch and Gene Hospers provided mentorship and modeled different leadership styles, while still demonstrating the same care and commitment to their
athletes. Their influence showed Veerbeek that coaching was about far more than wins and losses.

"For me, it's about relationships," Veerbeek said. "You're able to be part of a team, and you develop relationships with the players, their families and the community. Watching athletes grow from young girls into confident young women—it's incredibly rewarding."

Those relationships, along with strong family support, helped Veerbeek sustain her career while raising her own family. She credits her husband, parents and siblings for helping make it possible to balance coaching and motherhood.

Over the course of her career, Veerbeek has witnessed dramatic growth in girls athletics. Participation numbers continue to rise, and opportunities for girls to compete and develop through youth programs, high school and college athletics have expanded significantly.

"It's awesome to see," Veerbeek said. "Sports help build strong, confident young women. They develop friendships, relationships and life skills that go far beyond the court."

Veerbeek is intentional about helping develop the next generation of female leaders in athletics. She encourages her players to consider coaching and makes herself available as a mentor to young coaches beginning their careers. Several of her former players have already gone on to coach, continuing the cycle of influence that shaped her own path.

"A coach will impact more people in their life than the average person," Veerbeek said. "It's such an impactful profession. You get the opportunity to touch so many lives."

Her time at Dordt also played a pivotal role in shaping her career. Professors and coaches like Vonda Broek and Patty Timmermans provided encouragement and example, showing Veerbeek that coaching could be both a calling and a career.

Veerbeek notes experience has taught her the importance of building strong relationships not only with athletes, but with parents and fellow coaches. Early in her career learned collaboration and communication strengthen programs.

"You can't do it alone," she said. "Having supportive parents and a great coaching staff makes all the difference."

Beyond the gymnasium, athletics have also strengthened her family. While her mother did not have the same opportunities in sports growing up, she now enjoys watching her granddaughters compete, seeing firsthand the benefits athletics have provided.

Through it all, Veerbeek remains grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching and investing in young women.

"It's been a huge blessing in my life," Veerbeek said. "I'm not ready to let go of it. It's exciting to see how far women's sports have come, and I think it will continue to grow."