![Ritsema Steve](/imager/general/25465/Ritsema_Steve_11da33b09b534510c3581aef3a8e00dd.jpg)
Steve Ritsema
Senior Corporate Sales Account Manager
Email: sritsema@griffinshockey.com
Phone: (616) 774-4585 ext. 3047
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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.