Westerlund Chosen to Lead Athletic Department and Men's Basketball Program

Coach Westerlund comes to Great Lakes Christian College after coaching the last two seasons at Wright State Lake. In Westerlund's first year at the head of the program saw the team GPA improve from first semester to second semester. The Lakers finished top 10 in the USCAA in steals per game, blocks per game, and 3FGM. Westerlund also had two students named to the Dean's List for their efforts in the classroom. Westerlund also planned and directed Wright State Lake Campus athletics first basketball camp for the program. Laker Camp served over 35 young people in the community.

Westerlund's second season at the helm the Lakers made even greater strides both on and off the court. His second year was headlined by strong recruiting class of 19 student-athletes. Off the court the Men's Basketball team GPA continued to rise including three more student-athletes being named to the Dean's List. Westerlund also established a community service plan for the Men's Basketball program which included the Laker Reading Program in Celina Elementary and Primary Schools as well as volunteering to serve at the C.A.L.L Food Pantry. In all the Lakers completed 500 hours of community service in 2017-2018 school year. Westerlund also spearheaded the Lakers Men's Basketball fundraising efforts. Westerlund raised program record $25,000 in one year to enhance the men's basketball student-athlete experience.

On the court, Westerlund led the Lakers to their most wins (13) in a season since 2008-2009. The Lakers also defeated their first top 10 opponent December 10, 2017 against #8 Warren Wilson College. Over the course of the season Westerlund saw his squad receive votes in the national poll for three weeks. The Lakers went 7-2 in USCAA play including 3-2 against teams in the top 20 polls. The Lakers finished the season #17 in the USCAA Power rankings. Statistically the Lakers improved in 14 of 22 categories from year one to two. Under Westerlund's watch the Lakers were ranked top 10 in 8 categories: FG attempts per game 76.5 (4th), offensive rebounding per game 16.7 (3rd), defensive rebounding per game 28.8 (9th), total rebounding per game 45.5 (4th), assists per game 16.4 (10th), steals per game 12.4 (3rd), blocks per game 5.2 (2nd), and total points 2,314 (5th).

Prior to his time at Wright State Westerlund was  at Crossroads College in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was the Head Coach for three seasons. Westerlund had great success and accomplishments at Crossroads. Westerlund was directly responsible for the recruitment of 34 unique student-athletes. Westerlund built up the men's basketball program from only having 3 returners in 2013 to a nationally ranked NCCAA program in 2016. Westerlund led Crossroads to its 4th ever ACCA II National Championship in the schools 103 year history. He had a total of 18 student-athletes on the dean's list under his leadership and coached 5 All-Americans. 

Westerlund left Crossroads College with a career record of 33-37 when not counting financial guarantee games and a record of 28-18 against colleges with 500 students or less. Westerlund led the men's program to the NCCAA region championship game in Crossroads' first year as a full member. Westerlund led the school to its first ever win over an athletic scholarship school (Lincoln Christian University- NAIA) in 2014. 

Coach Westerlund also coached for three seasons at Harford Christian School in Darlington Maryland prior to his College coaching career. While at HCS he led the Boys Varsity program to the best season in program history at 24-6. That season Westerlund led the Eagles to their conference championship in seventeen years, and also the program's first and only state championship.

Coach Westerlund completed his undergraduate in Sports Management and Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible in 2013. While at LBC Westerlund lettered in soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was all conference in soccer and all region baseball during his time at LBC. He completed his Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2015. Coach Westerlund just married his wife Trisha Westerlund in June, and both are thrilled to be in Lansing as part of the Great Lakes Christian College family.

Coach Westerlund had this to say about coming to Great Lakes, "I am so excited to come to Great Lakes Christian College. My wife and I believed that Great Lakes Christian College was a such a special place as we entered our first year of marriage. This opportunity here was exactly what we were praying for. I'd like to thank President Larry Carter, Greg Stauffer and the Board of Trustees for entrusting me to be Great Lakes Christian College's first full time Athletic Director. It is not something that I take lightly. I believe that we can rebuild this athletic department into an ELITE athletic department. The support that I've felt from administration is absolutely phenomenal." Coach Westerlund explained the culture of the department he is looking to build, "We want our culture to be focus on serving and giving. Christ was the greatest servant leader and we want to model Christ's love. We will create an experience that is focused on our student-athletes can be proud of and enjoy. We will have purpose behind everything we do. I look forward to developing relationships with all of the student athletes, alumni, faculty, staff, and our surrounding community. My enthusiasm for what we will be doing is through the roof."

Coach Westerlund on how he will balance his responsibilities as AD and Head Men's Basketball Coach, "This will definitely be a challenge, but fortunately I have so many great people who have come along side me and given me advice on how to handle the two roles. Gary Bailey, Trent Kline, Mark Berokoff, Mike McCarty, AJ Carson, and Jordan Nowell have all been extremely helpful during this time of transition and answering any questions I might have. I will have a great coaching staff that will be able to relieve some pressure from me during the basketball season. I am excited for the challenge both jobs will bring."

Coach Westerlund on the men's basketball job, "I am very excited about the basketball program. We are returning some guys with real talent and skill. We will be focused on building a strong recruiting class to compliment our roster pieces. I am very familiar with the NCCAA and what it takes to compete at a national level. I believe we can build this program at that level, but our focus must be creating a culture that will be sustainable and attractive to recruits. We will play a relentless uptempo brand of basketball on the court. Off the court we will push and hold our guys accountable in the classroom. We will also be very involved in our community. I cannot wait for all our student-athletes to move on campus in August."