After serving as an assistant coach and as the head coach of the junior varsity squad for several years, Marv Van Wyk is excited for his first season as the varsity head coach for the Pella Christian boys basketball program.

Van Wyk celebrated his 30th season with the program in 2023, and has experienced 16 State Tournament appearances. Included in those appearances among Iowa’s elite, Van Wyk was a part of the last Eagles team to win the State Championship, which was a 68-63 victory over Council Bluffs St. Albert in 1993. Taking over an Eagles squad that went 18-6 last season, Marv says that he doesn’t view the shift from assistant to head coach as a major change.  

“Honestly, I don’t see it as that much of a transition, at least for me. Personally, I was the JV coach here for 25 or more years, and so at that time, you know, I ran my own team, and so it’s not like I’m not used to running practice and managing a team, so that part’s not new. The kids aren’t new. Our assistants are the same coach brand or coach Vander Linde and coach Fancher our varsity practices, helping out. So I don’t really feel like it’s a big transition, because the kids all know us, we all know them, and so we’re just moving forward in that way.”

The Pella Christian boys basketball team opens the season on Tuesday, December 3rd at home against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.