Steve Ritsema

Number of seasons with the Griffins (including 2023-24): 12

What you love most about working for the Griffins: Working with new clients and meeting new people every year.

Favorite Griffins memory: Winning the Calder Cup in my first season

Favorite all-time Griffins players: From when I have been here, Nyquist and Tatar.

Best thing about your job: I love meeting new people and traveling around doing it. The Griffins are very family oriented and I love that too and so does my family.

Hometown: Grand Rapids

States (and provinces or countries) you’ve lived in: Michigan

Spouse's name/year you were married: Danielle Ritsema (2008)

Children: Eliza, Ellsie, Easten

College degree/year/school: Advertising/2007/GVSU

Sports idol(s) as a youth: Steve Yzerman

Personal/professional hero(es): My wife and grandparents are my personal heroes. Professional would probably still be Stevie Y.

As a child, you dreamed of becoming: An NHL hockey player, an MLB player, you name it I dreamed it.

First job/your age: McDonald's/16

Current dream job: Currently I'm living it. I love what I do and where I am at and that I didn't have to leave home. You never know what the future holds though.

Other sports teams you've worked for: GVSU Hockey

If you could trade places for a day with another occupation/person, what/who would it be? Miguel Cabrera. I would love to be one of the most feared hitters in baseball.

Proudest professional accomplishment: Every time I bring a renewal back I am proud of it.

Most memorable on-the-job mistake/embarrassing moment: Too many to count.

Favorite charities/charitable causes: Mackenzie's Animal Sanctuary, the Griffins Youth Foundation

Most exciting/unique thing you’ve done or place you’ve visited: My wife and I went to the Bahamas. That was fun! Disney is also an every other year thing. That is exciting as well!

Sports played growing up: Soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, golf

Hidden (or not so hidden) talents: None, really.

An interesting fact about you: I'm double jointed.

Favorite foods: Pizza, steak, food in general

Favorite music artists: Weezer

Favorite sports movie: Miracle, The Mighty Ducks, Major League

Favorite website: Don't have one. ESPN?

Favorite book or author: Angels and Demons

Favorite subject in elementary school: Recess and Lunch

Favorite spectator sports: Baseball, hockey, college football

Favorite pro/college sports teams (excluding Griffins): Red Wings, Tigers, Wolverines

Favorite recreational activities/hobbies: Playing with my kids. Time goes by so fast and they grow up too quickly. I have plenty of time to do things later in life, but only this time right now do I have my kids at the ages and stages they are. I wouldn't want to miss it.