School of Professional Studies
Exercise and Sports Science
B.S., 1980, Oakland University
M.S., 2008, Wayne State University
Head coach of Olivet’s first swimming program, Coach Teeters joined Olivet’s faculty in 2011. He teaches the course in basic aquatics and will add more aquatics classes after the opening of the natatorium in the Student Life and Recreation Center.
As the coach of the Oakland Live Y’ers, Rochester, Mich., he produced more than 30 national qualifiers and a national record holder. His swimmers went on to claim NCAA national titles in all three divisions, and one is a three-time Olympic medalist. He also coached swimming at Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University and Novi High School.
He is a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the American Swimming Coaches Association.
Before coming to Olivet, he coached swimming at the high school and college level. With a master’s degree in adaptive physical education, he worked with disabled children, including those living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Applying for and receiving a grant, he created a swimming program for Michigan’s Southfield Public Schools. He also taught adaptive physical education, physical education and health education for in an urban public school for eight years.
His program, “Move ‘Em or Lose ‘Em,” addressed the needs of children who are overactive in class. Using “Brain Gym,” he educated teachers throughout Michigan in how to integrate movement into learning and manage overactive children’s behavior with a movement-based curriculum.
Finding the perfect wave conditions on the Great Lakes — with the help of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) wave report — is one of Coach Teeters’ favorite challenges. When conditions are right, he dons his wetsuit, grabs his surfboard or boogie board, and surfs the Great Lakes. He also enjoys photography and training his eye to see the separate movements of the human body. Athletes at sports events and marine animals in underwater settings are his favorite subjects to capture.
Helping people is his passion — anytime, anywhere. He is active in mission work, 12-hour home makeovers and Christian education with his church. An active volunteer with Special Olympics, he teaches and coaches swimming.
For two years, he worked with Africa Christian Ministries and lived in South African Zulu township. As part of his ministry, he built a soccer field; shared the Gospel with the local people; and encouraged the Zulu pastor and his wife.