Monday, April 12, 2004
By Bea Boucher
The Grand Rapids Press
© 2004 Grand Rapids Press.

JENISON, MI -- In his eight years of coaching boys basketball at Jenison Junior High School, Adam Visser always has been there for his players.

Now, his players are determined to be there for him. Visser was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in late January, just days after the end of this year's basketball season.

The 15 eighth-graders who played on Visser's Green Team this year were stunned when Assistant Junior High Principal Brandon Graham called them together in early February to read a letter from their 32-year-old coach. Visser, who took his family to Disney World immediately after learning of the diagnosis, wanted students to know what doctors said and how he was dealing with it.

"We knew there was something wrong. He'd been having trouble for a long time," said Matt Purkey, 14. "To find out there was a good chance he could die, it was hard."

Also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, the disease causes rapid degeneration of motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. Muscles do not receive the impulse to move, causing immobility, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and labored breathing. There is no cure or treatment.

Though sobered by the news, the students were quick to rally behind their coach.

"The first thing the kids said to me is what can we do for him, what can we do to show our support and that we love him," Graham said.

Students agreed that Graham's suggestion of holding a benefit basketball tournament suited Visser perfectly. They secured sponsors, created T-shirts to give to participants and passed out fliers at high school basketball games promoting the April 24 tournament. The cost to play in the tournament is $100 per team.

The three players who are spearheading the benefit tournament -- Sam Diekevers, 14, Jake Roe, 15, and Purkey -- said the team hopes to raise $5,000. They anticipate 40 to 50 teams will take part and expect a number of former players to be among the participants.

Purkey said students figured Visser and his wife, Bobbijean, and two daughters, Anna, 7, and Ava, 2, would need financial help in the months to come and wanted to help.

"It was going to be a tough time. We thought we could help. He helped a lot through the season. He taught us a lot about basketball," Purkey said.

"He's a great coach. He always gets involved in everything," Roe said.

Visser said he is touched by the student's efforts.

"The kids have been awesome," he said. "These kids, what they're doing is showing their love for me and support."

He said he will never forget a former player who came up to him at a basketball game recently and tapped him on the shoulder. Visser said that before he could turn around, the teen said, "I love you, coach."

"It was a freshman I had last year, and I couldn't even talk, tears were rolling down my face. He gave me a big hug and he walked away," Visser said. "But in that hug and 'I love you,' he was saying so much more; that he was there for me.

"That's what this (tournament) feels like -- a big hug from the kids and the school, that we love you and support you and are here for you," he said.

Last September, Visser, a Grandville native who played basketball at Tri-unity Christian and Muskegon Community College, noticed some weakness in his left arm and hand. One day while playing basketball, he discovered he couldn't dribble with his left hand, but at the time thought he had just pinched a nerve.

When the condition didn't improve, he went to several area neurologists and in January was referred to the University of Michigan Hospital. Doctors there told him on Jan. 27 that he had ALS. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic confirmed that diagnosis in March.

Although it was a tough year to coach, Visser said his players have helped him a lot. In turn, students and staff at the junior high school are taking strength from Visser's attitude toward the disease and his future.

Visser said he credits his faith in God with giving him strength to deal with the knowledge that there is no cure. He said he grows spiritually stronger each day and focuses on the belief that life is eternal.

"If I have a bad day, the next day is better. That's the way it is," Visser said. "I can't play basketball like I used to, but I'm happy for the things I can do. I'm happy I'm still alive every day."

He said he is looking forward to the tournament and the chance to celebrate all of the friendships he has made over the years with players and parents.

"It's going to be a good time," Visser said.