Eastern Christian High School Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Barry Veenstra has earned 400 career wins! With today’s victory over Manchester Regional, Veenstra now stands in uncharted territory as Pasaaic County’s lone member of the prestigious “400 wins club” for soccer.
To say that Barry Veenstra coaches the girls soccer team at Eastern Christian school is the understatement of the year. Actually, it’s the understatement of the past 34 years. Veenstra started the Eagles program in 1980. His career record now stands at 400-196-48: an impressive career 62% winning percentage. Over the course of his coaching career, Veenstra’s teams have only lost 3 out of every 10 games that they’ve kicked off. En route to 400 wins, Veenstra’s teams have amassed 8 League titles, and 3 Sectional titles. The on-field success culminated with the 2007 State Championship.
Over the course of his 34+ year career, among the hundreds of athletes that have been in the EC soccer program, Veenstra has coached his three daughters: Brooke Veenstra Hagedoorn (who is now Eastern Christian’s Junior Varsity Coach), Dara (who played on the 2007 State Championship team), and Carly (currently a sophomore at Calvin College, where she plays soccer for the Knights). Barry’s wife Debra teaches Physical Education at Eastern Christian Elementary School (Midland Park, NJ).
In addition to being Eastern Christian’s long-time soccer Girls Soccer Coach, Veenstra has also served as Eastern Christian High School’s Physical Education Program Chair, Has coached Boy’s Varsity baseball, JV and Varsity basketball,Girl’s Varsity basketball, and Girl’s Varsity Soccer. In his most recent role for the Eagles, Veenstra is serving as the school’s interim Athletic Director.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Coach Veenstra’s 400th victory as Eastern Christian’s Girls Soccer Coach!” said Head of School Tom Dykhouse. “Barry has been a mainstay of Eastern Christian’s athletic program and a wonderful coach and teacher for our students for the last three decades.
Congratulations to Coach Veenstra on this historic accomplishment! Eastern Christian School and the many student have been blessed by your infectious work rate, passionate pursuit of excellence, and warm spirit. Thanks Coach Veenstra!