Unity Christian looks within as it names new basketball coach

Unity Christian’s Scott Soodsma durng a game at Hudsonville on Dec. 12, 2025. New coach Ron Blouw, center, sits behind him on the bench. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. - Unity Christian High School didn’t have to look very far to find its new boys basketball coach. 

The school announced on Tuesday, April 28 that it has hired Ron Blouw as its new coach, replacing Scott Soodsma, who retired after 43 years on the bench.

Blouw had been the JV coach under Soodsma at Unity for the past 10 seasons.

“I have been blessed to be part of helping build and maintain the basketball culture and tradition here at Unity Christian for the last 10 years,” Blouw said on a Unity Christian social media post. “I am looking forward to being able to continue this as I will get to lead this new group of players and program in my new position.”

The Crusaders had a dominant season with a 25-4 record and reaching the Division 2 state championship game.

“I think it was a great hire,” Soodsma said. “He knows the system and can keep it rolling. Ron will also bring his own ideas and changes which could be good. He is a great person, will work hard, and the players will enjoy playing for him.”

Kyler Berghuis, a senior on the Unity basketball team, likes the hire, too.

“He will be very successful as the new head coach at Unity,” said Berghuis, who will play at Calvin University next year. “He was my JV coach when I was a freshman. He is an amazing motivator, and puts a ton of time into preparation as well as watching tape. He is an amazing man as well and fun to be around. I have no doubt in why he will do here at Unity.”

Blouw will be Unity Christian’s first new hire since Soodsma became coach at the school in 1993.