Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools

Former Athens head coach Ed Sybesma kept his 50-year run of coaching football going by joining St. Philip/Athens co-op program for 2026 season "It's my 50th year coaching. Still love it," Sybesma said. "It's the kids that keep me going. I just keep doing it because I want to help these kids develop into good citizens, help them develop into quality people. And that's what I've been doing this whole time. I am coaching kids now that I coached their dads, coached their grandpas, had their moms in class at school. It just keeps going year after year." "This has been a blessing, getting not only the players, but getting Coach Sybesma and his 49, now 50 years, of experience," St. Philip head coach Chris Rabbitt said. "He has so much knowledge of the game. He has forgotten more about football than I know. He has been great. Has brought a great perspective and the kids love having him here." https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/09/02/st-philipathens-coach-ed-sybesma-is-in-his-50th-year-in-football/91506212007/?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a97f3aeb995e90001b0585e&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAUE3ApjbGNrBQTcBXBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeS7u2CnLyXKBsLuWu7f1mYReYT9YNFPAOT9-cjvy6hwmU4tlXEJt1jL5oasU_aem_N9XTbkhv7Zyu4LvEuDE-3g