Ottawa-Kent Conference
The Ottawa-Kent Conference is an athletic league located in West Michigan. Its current leader is David VanNoord. It has member schools from Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties. It has 48 member schools that partake in athletics. According to the MHSAA they have the main offices located at Grandville High School.
Members
| School | Mascot | Affiliation | Class | Enrollment | County | Division | |
| Belding | Black Knights | Public | B | 538 | 1995 | Silver | |
| Byron Center | Bulldogs | Public | A | 1324 | Kent | 1958# | White |
| Caledonia | Fighting Scots | Public | A | 1431 | Kent | 1970 | Red |
| Comstock Park | Panthers | Public | B | 530 | Kent | 1970 | Silver |
| East Grand Rapids | Pioneers | Public | A | 909 | Kent | 1970 | White |
| East Kentwood | Falcons | Public | A | 2906 | Kent | 1961 | Red |
| Forest Hills Central | Rangers | Public | A | 1049 | Kent | 1960 | White |
| Forest Hills Eastern | Hawks | Public | B | 801 | Kent | 2005 | Gold |
| Forest Hills Northern | Huskies | Public | A | 1142 | Kent | 1972 | White |
| Fruitport | Trojans | Public | B | 794 | Muskegon | 2016 | Blue |
| Godwin Heights | Wolverines | Public | B | 662 | Kent | 1967 | Silver |
| Grand Rapids Catholic Central | Cougars | Private | B | 584 | Kent | 2008 | Gold |
| Grand Rapids Christian | Eagles | Private | B | 754 | Kent | 2008 | White |
| Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills | Bengals | Public | A | 1132 | Kent | 2008 | Gold |
| Grand Rapids Union | Red Hawks | Public | A | 1924 | Kent | 2008 | Green |
| Grand Rapids West Catholic | Falcons | Private | B | 484 | Kent | 2008 | Blue |
| Grand Haven | Buccaneers | Public | A | 1882 | Ottawa | 1985 | Red |
| Grandville | Bulldogs | Public | A | 1752 | Kent | 1970 | Red |
| Grandville Calvin Christian | Squires | Private | C | 261 | Kent | 1975 | Silver |
| Hamilton | Hawkeyes | Public | B | 764 | Allegan | 1970 | Blue |
| Holland | Dutch | Public | A | 930 | Ottawa | 1985 | Green |
| Holland Christian | Maroons | Private | B | 674 | Ottawa | 2003 | Blue |
| Holland West Ottawa | Panthers | Public | A | 2170 | Ottawa | 1965 | Red |
| Hopkins | Vikings | Public | B | 483 | Allegan | 1994 | Silver |
| Hudsonville | Eagles | Public | A | 1972 | Ottawa | 1958# | Red |
| Hudsonville Unity Christian | Crusaders | Private | B | 662 | Ottawa | 1995 | Blue |
| Jenison | Wildcats | Public | A | 1561 | Ottawa | 1970 | Red |
| Kelloggsville | Rockets | Public | B | 621 | Kent | 1958# | Silver |
| Middleville Thornapple Kellogg | Trojans | Public | A | 936 | Kent | 1970 | Gold |
| Muskegon | Big Reds | Public | A | 1130 | Muskegon | 2003 | Green |
| Norton Shores Mona Shores | Sailors | Public | A | 1231 | Muskegon | 1985 | Green |
| Muskegon Reeths-Puffer | Rockets | Public | A | 1150 | Muskegon | 2003 | Green |
| Northview | Wildcats | Public | A | 1053 | Kent | 1965 | White |
| Rockford | Rams | Public | A | 2562 | Kent | 1970 | Red |
| South Christian | Sailors | Private | B | 659 | Kent | 1967 | Gold |
| Spring Lake | Lakers | Public | B | 784 | Ottawa | 2016 | Blue |
| Wayland | Wildcats | Public | B | 801 | Allegan | 1970 | Gold |
| Wyoming | Wolves | Public | A | 1224 | Kent | 2012 | Green |
| Zeeland East | Chix | Public | A | 988 | Ottawa | 1965 | Green |
| Zeeland West | Dux | Public | A | 1016 | Ottawa | 2005 | Green |
- Note: The class and population size are from the 2023-24 MHSAA listings. The # next to the year admitted is for founding members.
Classifications
As of the 2006-07 school year the conference has put a requirement in writing for which sports they want all schools to have a varsity level program in. Those include Baseball, Basketball, Football, Softball, Track & Field, Volleyball, and WrestlingThey also listed a second group of sports which they want a minimal of two more sports in varsity level. Those include Bowling, Competitive Cheer, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, and Water Polo
Furthermore, for expansion purposes they must have a JV program in the mandatory programs along with adding freshman programs. This has been a change when in 2004 they wanted freshman programs in all of the required programs instead they want to see improvement in the schools to have them form one when participation is high enough to warrant it.
Sports not listed as ones they will offer varsity status for include Lacrosse and Skiing.
2024-25 Alignment
OK-Gold- South Christian
- Thornapple Kellogg
- Holland
- Wayland
- Forest Hills Eastern
- Hamilton
- Holland Christian
- Unity Christian
OK-Black
- Kenowa Hills
- Grand Rapids Northview
- Muskegon Mona Shores
- Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
- Lowell
- Muskegon
- Greenville
- Cedar Springs
- Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
- Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern
- Zeeland East
- Byron Center
- Zeeland West
- Wyoming
- East Grand Rapids
- Grand Rapids Christian
- Grand Rapids Union
- Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills
- Coopersville
- Fruitport
- Spring Lake
- Allendale
- Grand Rapids Catholic Central
- West Catholic
- Sparta
- Hopkins
- Godwin Heights
- Kelloggsville
- Calvin Christian
- Belding
- Comstock Park
- NorthPointe Christian
Past realignments
Every two years, the conference realigns itself due to changes in school sizes as some school districts increase at a large rate while others may stay constant or decline. Along with the changes in school populations, they also hear requests to join the conference. The process is a lengthy one and requires a 75% majority of the member schools to allow any new school in the conference.The Grand Rapids City League joined the conference for the 2008–2009 season. According to the Grand Rapids Press, the principals approved with a 43 to 1 vote. The league aligned with seven seven divisions and passed by the committee of athletic directors 34 to 10.
The executive board is made up of at least one principal from each division. After that the Executive Council made up all of the principals would ratify changes. The thought process is only do minor alignment change in two years followed by a possible major realignment in fours depending on different factors. The difference would be actual schools added to the conference or change in the number of divisions versus just flip flopping schools around.
According to the GR Press, seven schools voted no on the City League proposal for several different reasons. Two schools, Lowell and Zeeland West did not show up for the meeting and as such no votes were given to them. The other schools include Lee, East Kentwood, Hudsonville, Jenison, and Middleville. The reasons given for their no votes were because of concerns about the possibility that the four Grand Rapids Public Schools might drop their athletic programs, because of the enrollment differential in some divisions and because of the size of some of the divisions. According to past policies of those schools and previous article quotes from those schools it is assumed what schools felt which way. For Jenison, Hudsonville, and Lee it was the enrollment differences along with the size of their division. East Kentwood and probably Middleville were upset with the Athletic Director of the Grand Rapids Public Schools discussing saving money by eliminating two high school ADs after the first two votes of the conference to let them into the conference.
All seven City League schools officially became full members of the OK Conference beginning with the 2008–09 school year.
The Swimming Conferences were realigned for the 2011–2012 school year and consist of only four levels.
In 2019, a new alignment was enacted that took effect with the 2020–2021 school year. The OK Black division was abolished. The proposal was passed by a vote of 35 to 14.
Notable alumni
Notable Alumni who have participated athletically in the OK Conference- Robert Jackson, former NFL Player
- Ray Bentley, former NFL Player
- Kirk Cousins, current NFL Player
- Mike Dumas, former NFL Player
- Paul Grasmanis, former NFL Player
- Kevin Haverdink, former NFL Player
- Gary Hogeboom, former NFL Player
- Mike Knuble, NHL Player
- Mitch Lyons, former NFL Player
- Jay Riemersma, former NFL Player
- Steve Scheffler, former NBA Player
- Joel Smeenge, former NFL Player
- Joe Staley, former NFL player
- Matt Steigenga, former NBA Player
- John Vander Wal, former MLB Player
- Brent Gates, former MLB Player
- Loy Vaught, former NBA Player
- Dathan Ritzenhein, Two Time Olympian in Track and Field
- Brian Diemer, Bronze Medalist - 1984 Olympics in Track and Field, three time Olympian
- Luke Jensen, Former professional tennis player who reached a #6 world ranking in doubles.
- Ron Essink, Former NFL Player Drafted 1980 - Grand Valley wrestling All American.
- Ryan McDonald, Former NFL Player - All American and Rose Bowl starter with University of Illinois
- Justin Abdelkader, former NHL player.
State championships
Schools that have won MHSAA state championships while being members of OK Conference.- Note: The Comstock Park Championship was determined by Individual Format versus the Team Duel Format.
- Note: Water polo is not recognized by the MHSAA but the OK Conference allows it full varsity status. The teams compete for the Michigan Water Polo Association State Championship.
Membership Timeline
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:1950 till:2022
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
Colors = id:barcolor
id:line value:pink
id:bg value:white
id:OK value:rgb # Use this color to denote Ottawa Kent founding members
id:OKBlu value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Blue
id:OKBla value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Black
id:OKR value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Red
id:OKRM value:rgb # OK Red Metro
id:OKRL value:rgb # OK Red Lakeshore
id:OKW value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK White
id:OKS value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Silver
id:OKGr value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Green
id:OKGo value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Gold
id:OKBr value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member of the OK Bronze
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bar:1 shift: color:OK from:1958 till:1965 text:Byron Center
bar:1 color:OKBlu from:1965 till:2003 text:
bar:1 color:OKGo from:2003 till:2008 text:
bar:1 color:OKGr from:2008 till:2020 text:
bar:1 color:OKW from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:3 shift: color:OK from:1958 till:1965 text:Hudsonville
bar:3 color:OKR from:1965 till:1970 text:
bar:3 color:OKW from:1970 till:1974 text:
bar:3 color:OKBlu from:1974 till:1984 text:
bar:3 color:OKGo from:1984 till:1994 text:
bar:3 color:OKW from:1994 till:2003 text:
bar:3 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:3 color:OKR from:2005 till:2022
bar:4 shift: color:OK from:1958 till:1965 text:Kelloggsville
bar:4 color:OKBlu from:1965 till:1974 text:
bar:4 color:OKW from:1974 till:1978 text:
bar:4 color:OKBlu from:1978 till:1994 text:
bar:4 color:OKS from:1994 till:2022 text:
bar:5 shift: color:OK from:1958 till:1965 text:Wyoming Rogers
bar:5 color:OKR from:1965 till:1970 text:
bar:5 color:OKW from:1970 till:1972 text:
bar:5 color:OKR from:1972 till:1980 text:
bar:5 color:OKW from:1980 till:1994 text:
bar:5 color:OKBlu from:1994 till:2008 text:
bar:5 color:OKGr from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:6 shift: color:OK from:1960 till:1965 text:Forest Hills Central
bar:6 color:OKR from:1965 till:1972 text:
bar:6 color:OKW from:1972 till:1980 text:
bar:6 color:OKR from:1980 till:1984 text:
bar:6 color:OKW from:1984 till:2003 text:
bar:6 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:6 color:OKW from:2005 till:2008 text:
bar:6 color:OKBla from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:6 color:OKW from:2012 till:2022 text:
bar:7 shift: color:OK from:1961 till:1965 text:East Kentwood
bar:7 color:OKBlu from:1965 till:1967 text:
bar:7 color:OKR from:1967 till:2003 text:
bar:7 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:7 color:OKR from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:8 shift: color:OK from:1961 till:1965 text:Wyoming Park
bar:8 color:OKR from:1965 till:1970 text:
bar:8 color:OKW from:1970 till:2000 text:
bar:8 color:OKGo from:2000 till:2005 text:
bar:8 color:OKBlu from:2005 till:2008 text:
bar:8 color:OKGr from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:9 shift: color:OKR from:1965 till:2003 text:West Ottawa
bar:9 color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:L
bar:9 color:OKR from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:10 shift: color:OKR from:1965 till:1967 text:Zeeland
bar:10 color:OKBlu from:1967 till:1970 text:
bar:10 color:OKW from:1970 till:1984 text:
bar:10 color:OKGo from:1984 till:1988 text:
bar:10 color:OKW from:1988 till:2003 text:
bar:10 color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:L
bar:10 color:OKGr from:2005 till:2012 text:Zeeland East
bar:10 color:OKBla from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:10 color:OKGr from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:11 shift: color:OKBlu from:1965 till:1970 text:Northview
bar:11 color:OKW from:1970 till:1972 text:
bar:11 color:OKR from:1972 till:1984 text:
bar:11 color:OKW from:1984 till:2012 text:
bar:11 color:OKBr from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:11 color:OKW from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:12 shift: color:OKBlu from:1965 till:1970 text:Kenowa Hills
bar:12 color:OKW from:1970 till:1988 text:
bar:12 color:OKGo from:1988 till:2003 text:
bar:12 color:OKW from:2003 till:2008 text:
bar:12 color:OKBla from:2008 till:2020 text:
bar:12 color:OKGo from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:13 shift: color:OKBlu from:1967 till:1970 text:South Christian
bar:13 color:OKW from:1970 till:1984 text:
bar:13 color:OKGo from:1984 till:2022 text:
bar:14 shift: color:OKR from:1967 till:1972 text:Godwin Heights
bar:14 color:OKW from:1972 till:1984 text:
bar:14 color:OKBlu from:1984 till:2005 text:
bar:14 color:OKS from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:15 shift: color:OKR from:1970 till:2003 text:Grandville
bar:15 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:15 color:OKR from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:16 shift: color:OKR from:1970 till:2003 text:Rockford
bar:16 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:16 color:OKR from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:17 shift: color:OKR from:1970 till:1984 text:East Grand Rapids
bar:17 color:OKW from:1984 till:2016 text:
bar:17 color:OKGo from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:17 color:OKW from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:18 shift: color:OKBlu from:1970 till:1988 text:Caledonia
bar:18 color:OKGo from:1988 till:2007 text:
bar:18 color:OKW from:2007 till:2008 text:
bar:18 color:OKGo from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:18 color:OKW from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:18 color:OKR from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:19 shift: color:OKBlu from:1970 till:1994 text:Comstock Park
bar:19 color:OKS from:1994 till:2005 text:
bar:19 color:OKBlu from:2005 till:2020 text:
bar:19 color:OKS from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:20 shift: color:OKBlu from:1970 till:2005 text:Hamilton
bar:20 color:OKGo from:2005 till:2008 text:
bar:20 color:OKGr from:2008 till:2020 text:
bar:20 color:OKBlu from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:21 shift: color:OKBlu from:1970 till:2003 text:Middleville
bar:21 color:OKGo from:2003 till:2022 text:
bar:22 shift: color:OKBlu from:1970 till:1978 text:Wayland
bar:22 color:OKW from:1978 till:1984 text:
bar:22 color:OKGo from:1984 till:2022 text:
bar:23 shift: color:OKW from:1970 till:1972 text:Jenison
bar:23 color:OKR from:1972 till:2003 text:
bar:23 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:23 color:OKR from:2005 till:2012 text:
bar:23 color:OKW from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:23 color:OKBla from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:23 color:OKR from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:24 shift: color:OKW from:1972 till:1984 text:Forest Hills Northern
bar:24 color:OKGo from:1984 till:2000 text:
bar:24 color:OKW from:2000 till:2003 text:
bar:24 color:OKRM from:2003 till:2005 text:M
bar:24 color:OKW from:2005 till:2007 text:
bar:24 color:OKGo from:2007 till:2008 text:
bar:24 color:OKBlu from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:24 color:OKBr from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:24 color:OKW from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:25 shift: color:OKW from:1984 till:1994 text:Sparta
bar:25 color:OKGo from:1994 till:2003 text:
bar:25 color:OKW from:2003 till:2005 text:
bar:25 color:OKBlu from:2005 till:2020 text:
bar:25 color:OKS from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:26 shift: color:OKW from:1984 till:2022 text:Lowell
bar:27 shift: color:OKGo from:1984 till:2003 text:Cedar Springs
bar:27 color:OKW from:2003 till:2005 text:
bar:27 color:OKBlu from:2005 till:2012 text:
bar:27 color:OKBr from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:27 color:OKW from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:27 color:OKGo from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:28 shift: color:OKGo from:1984 till:1994 text:Coopersville
bar:28 color:OKBlu from:1994 till:2022 text:
bar:29 shift: color:OKGo from:1984 till:1988 text:Calvin Christian
bar:29 color:OKBlu from:1988 till:2005 text:
bar:29 color:OKS from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:30 shift: color:OKR from:1985 till:2003 text:Mona Shores
bar:30 color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:L
bar:30 color:OKGr from:2005 till:2008 text:
bar:30 color:OKBla from:2008 till:2020 text:
bar:30 color:OKGr from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:31 shift: color:OKR from:1985 till:2003 text:Grand Haven
bar:31 color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:L
bar:31 color:OKR from:2005 till:2022 text:
bar:32 shift: color:OKR from:1985 till:2003 text:Holland
bar:32 color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:L
bar:32 color:OKR from:2005 till:2007 text:
bar:32 color:OKGr from:2007 till:2008 text:
bar:32 color:OKBla from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:32 color:OKGr from:2012 till:2022 text:
bar:33 shift: color:OKS from:1994 till:2003 text:Saugatuck
bar:34 shift: color:OKS from:1994 till:2012 text:Allendale
bar:34 color:OKBlu from:2012 till:2022 text:
bar:35 shift: color:OKS from:1994 till:2022 text:Hopkins
bar:36 shift: color:OKW from:1995 till:2001 text:Hastings
bar:36 color:OKGo from:2001 till:2016 text:
bar:37 shift: color:OKGo from:1995 till:2001 text:Belding
bar:37 color:OKBlu from:2001 till:2007 text:
bar:37 color:OKS from:2007 till:2008: text:
bar:37 color:OKBlu from:2008 till:2016 text:
bar:37 color:OKS from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:38 shift: color:OKBlu from:1995 till:2000 text:Spring Lake
bar:38 color:OKBlu from:2016 till:2022
bar:39 shift: color:OKS from:2000 till:2014 text:Kent City
bar:40 shift: color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:Reeths-Puffer L
bar:40 color:OKGr from:2005 till:2008 text:
bar:40 color:OKBla from:2008 till:2020 text:
bar:40 color:OKGr from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:41 shift: color:OKRL from:2003 till:2005 text:Muskegon L
bar:41 color:OKGr from:2005 till:2007 text:
bar:41 color:OKR from:2007 till:2012 text:
bar:41 color:OKBla from:2012 till:2020 text:
bar:41 color:OKGr from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:42 shift: color:OKW from:2003 till:2012 text:Greenville
bar:42 color:OKBr from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:42 color:OKW from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:43 shift: color:OKGo from:2003 till:2005 text:Holland Christian
bar:43 color:OKGr from:2005 till:2020 text:
bar:43 color:OKBlu from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:44 shift: color:OKW from:2003 till:2005 text:Unity Christian
bar:44 color:OKGr from:2005 till:2020 text:
bar:44 color:OKBlu from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:45 shift: color:OKS from:2005 till:2007 text:Forest Hills Eastern
bar:45 color:OKBlu from:2007 till:2008 text:
bar:45 color:OKGo from:2008 till:2012 text:
bar:45 color:OKBr from:2012 till:2016 text:
bar:45 color:OKGo from:2016 till:2022 text:
bar:46 shift: color:OKGr from:2005 till:2022 text:Zeeland West
bar:47 shift: color:OKBlu from:2008 till:2010 text:G.R. Central
bar:48 shift: color:OKW from:2008 till:2012 text:G.R. Creston
bar:48 color:OKBlu from:2012 till:2013 text:
bar:49 shift: color:OKGo from:2008 till:2016 text:Ottawa Hills
bar:49 color:OKW from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:49 color:OKGo from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:50 shift: color:OKBla from:2008 till:2020 text:G.R. Union
bar:50 shift: color:OKGr from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:51 shift: color:OKW from:2008 till:2016 text:G.R. Christian
bar:51 color:OKGo from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:51 color:OKW from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:52 shift: color:OKBlu from:2008 till:2012 text:West Catholic
bar:52 color:OKBr from:2012 till:2014 text:
bar:52 color:OKBlu from:2014 till:2022 text:
bar:53 shift: color:OKGo from:2008 till:2016 text:G.R. Catholic Central
bar:53 color:OKBlu from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:53 color:OKGo from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:54 shift: color:OKS from:2012 till:2022 text:NorthPointe Christian
bar:55 shift: color:OKBlu from:2012 till:2014 text:Wyoming
bar:55 color:OKBr from:2014 till:2016 text:
bar:55 color:OKGo from:2016 till:2020 text:
bar:55 color:OKGr from:2020 till:2022 text:
bar:56 shift: color:OKBla from:2016 till:2020 text:Fruitport
bar:56 shift: color:OKBlu from:2020 till:2022 text:
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1950
TextData =
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textcolor:black
pos: tabs:
text:^"Ottawa-Kent Conference Membership History"
- > If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. <#