Recreation Center Front Desk: 616-331-3313
Kelly Family Sports Center Front Desk: 616-331-8940

Brad Wallace

Associate Athletic Director, Athletic & Rec Facilities

Brad joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management Department in August 2005. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University while working within the Athletics department. After graduation he secured a Recreation Center Facilities Graduate Assistantship position at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. At SIU Brad received his Masters of Science degree in Sports Administration. Brad has worked a variety of event and facility management jobs to include positions with the West Michigan Whitecaps, Berlin Raceway, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place. Along with normal daily work duties, he stays active through on campus committee work and involvement within professional organizations. Brad is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his family. Other interests include camping, hiking, cars, reading and traveling.

Email: wallaceb@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-8728

Whitney Marsh

Assistant Athletic Director, Athletic & Rec Facilities - Recreation Center/Pool

Whitney joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Department at Grand Valley in 2008 as the Graduate Assistant for the Laker Turf Building, now named the Kelly Family Sports Center. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Adult and Higher Education in May 2010. Since October of 2010, she has held positions as an Assistant Manager, Facility Manager, Assistant Director, and now the Assistant Athletic Director for the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Department at GVSU. Her main responsibilities are overseeing the Recreation Center and the Aquatics Facility. Previously, Whitney received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Sport Management from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During her four years at Aquinas, Whitney played on the Women’s Basketball Team. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, and being outdoors.

Email: marshwh@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-8894

Brent Tavis

Assistant Athletic Director, Athletic & Rec Facilities - Kelly Family Sports Center and Outdoor Fields

Brent joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management team in May 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Davenport University in 2009, and went on to get his Master’s degree in Public Administration in 2012 from Grand Valley State. During his time in grad school he worked as the Graduate Assistant for the Kelly Family Sports Center. After grad school, Brent went to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. There he held the role of Assistant Athletic Director for Events and Facilities from 2012-2016. In May of 2016, he took over the role of Assistant Athletic Director for Business and Finance to oversee the business operations. Outside of work, Brent enjoys spending time in the outdoors and with his family. 

Email: tavisbre@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-8730

Dionte McBride

Facility Operations Coordinator, Athletic & Rec Facilities

Dionte joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management team in January 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Grand Valley State University in 2015, and got his Master’s degree in Higher Education from Grand Valley State University in 2017. During his time as a graduate student he served as the Graduate Assistant for Athletic and Recreation Facilities for the Recreation Center and Fieldhouse. Currently, he serves as a Facility Operations Coordinator responsible for student staffing and events. During his spare time, Dionte enjoys spending time with his dog, going to the movies, playing/watching sports, and being outdoors.

Email:  mcbriddi@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-3223

Mark Nawrocki

Facility Operations Coordinator, Athletic & Rec Facilities

Mark joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Department here at Grand Valley on July 1, 2007 after 23 ½ years as a Customer Service Supervisor for Michcon/DTE. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a BBA and degree in Marketing and Business Communications. Mark is married to his wife Kay and together they have four children and two grandchildren. His responsibilities include managing locker rentals in the Rec/FH and maintaining the cardio and weight equipment in the Rec Center and FH, Odie Weight Room and oversees the South Complex as well as being event coordinator for events like Robotics, Wheelchair Sports Camp and outdoor summer sports camps in and around the Rec/FH. In his time away from work he enjoys sports, family, biking and following Notre Dame Athletics. He also announces football games for West Catholic High School, is the Athletic Director at Holy Spirit Parochial School and most Saturdays from mid-April till early September he can be found at Berlin Raceway in Marne where he works on his son Tyler’s race car which he owns. He also owns Earthtone Lawn Care, Snow Plowing and Landscape Services with another son.

Email: nawrocma@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-2686

Meghan Pynnonen

Athletic & Rec Facilities Office Assistant

Meghan began working at GVSU in the Housing and Residence Life Department in 2012 and transferred to her current role, Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management Coordinator, in 2015.  Prior to GVSU, Meghan spent seven years working in ticket operations for the West Michigan Whitecaps.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management from Bowling Green State University in 2005 and his currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Adult and Higher Education from GVSU.  Meghan married her husband Shaun in October of 2013 and welcomed her first son in June of 2015.  In her spare time, she enjoys staying active, running with her beagle, and spending time with family and friends.   

Email: pynnonem@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-2716

Kate Carlson

Athletic & Rec Facilities Office Assistant - Scheduling

Kate joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management team in September 2017.

She earned her bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University (WMU). Shortly after graduating college Kate moved to Chicago, where she worked at Columbia College Chicago and served as a board member for a non-profit organization. She moved back to West Michigan where she worked for Kendall College of Art & Design Facilities and then WMU Conferencing Services before joining the Lakers. Kate spends her free time with friends and family and loves time on the lake shore, exploring the area and traveling as much as possible. 

Email: carlska1@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-2685

Heather Promer

Graduate Assistant - Kelly Family Sports Center and Outdoor Fields

Heather joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management team as a Graduate Assistant in May of 2016 and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Education, with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While attending Cornerstone, Heather played on the Women’s Golf team and served as a Resident Assistant. Heather gained experience in her undergrad career while working in the Athletic Department at Forest Hills Central High School. In her spare time, she enjoys backpacking, playing sports, watching sports, coaching lacrosse, and spending time at the cottage with her family and friends.

Email: promerhe@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-8948

Courtney Carlson

Graduate Assistant - Fieldhouse/Recreation Center

Courtney joined the Athletic and Recreation Facilities Management team as a Graduate Assistant in May 2017. She earned her bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Grand Valley and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Health, with an emphasis in Health Promotion. During her undergrad, Courtney worked various positions within Grand Valley’s Athletic Department, such as Athletic Productions Student Assistant, Kelly Family Sports Center Student Manager, and Student Building Supervisor. Outside of GVSU, she completed her internships at Grand Rapids Natural Health and with Penrose-St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO, in the Wellness Center. In her free time Courtney enjoys hiking, playing competitive sports, volunteering at her church and spending time with her family and friends.

Email: carlscou@gvsu.edu

Phone: 616-331-8601