George Loureiro is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian by AZPreps365

Greg Haagsma’s fingerprints are all over Valley Christian. The Iowa native has coached two sons and three sports since arriving in 1991.

“I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else,” said Haagsma, the athletic director and boys basketball coach.  

In 1991 Haagsma moved to Arizona where his coaching career began. In his first six years, Haagsma was the girls basketball coach and coached baseball from 1991-2003. In 1998, he became the boys basketball coach.  

In the 29 years, Haagsma has won six state championships and racked up over 500 career wins. 

Haagsma has seen both of sons come through his program. His youngest, Shane, finishes up his senior year this season.  

“One of the coolest experiences for me was to have both my sons be a part of state championship teams,” Haagsma said. 

Shane is planning on attending the same university as his father. He will play basketball for Dordt University in Iowa.  

Haagsma also assumed the role of the athletic director eight years ago.   

“The goal one day is to just be the athletic director, not anytime soon. But one day when the right person comes along it’ll be time to pass it on,”  Haagsma said.  

Haagsma is known in the community of Valley where he has built a winning culture.  

Listen to what star guard Logan Phillips said after a win over Pusche Ridge Christian Acadamy a week ago. “I’m not worried about the numbers as long as we get the win.” 

 At 22-2 record the Trojans are rolling to potentially back- to-back state championships.