Former MSU soccer standout Damon Rensing became the fifth head coach in Spartan history on January 1, 2009 after taking over for the legendary Joe Baum, who guided MSU for 32 seasons.

 

In 2022, Rensing begins his 14th season as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for 10 seasons at his alma mater. In 13 years, Rensing has compiled an impressive 130-94-35 record (.569).

 

Rensing was named MSU's head coach designate on Aug. 14, 2008 after Baum decided to make 2008 his final season as head coach. Rensing has spent nearly half his life in the Green and White with four years as varsity letterwinner, one season as an assistant with the women's program and 10 seasons in his previous position. In his first 11 years as head coach, the Spartans have made eight NCAA tournament campaigns, including a run to the Spartans' first College Cup in 50 years in 2018.

 

Last season, the Spartans went 6-9-2 with a 2-4-2 Big Ten record. Senior forward Farai Mutatu and senior midfielder Jack Beck both captured first-team All-B1G honors. Mutatu went on to be the 21st overall draft pick in the MLS SuperDraft by the LA Galaxy.

 

The Spartan reached the Elite Eight in 2017 with a 13-3-4 overall record and a stellar 5-0-3 record in Big Ten action. Michigan State continued its dominating play at home with a 7-1-2 record at DeMartin. MSU used home NCAA Tournament wins against Virginia Tech and Western Michigan to reach the Elite Eight. MSU was stopped in penalty kicks by Big Ten foe Indiana.

 

 Under Rensing's leadership, the Spartans have received 29 All-Big Ten and 19 NSCAA All-Region selections, in addition to nine players that were named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. The Spartans' performance in the classroom during Rensing's tenure has been equally impressive. Over the last 12 years, MSU has received 111 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 47 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar selections.

 

Rensing began his coaching career in 1997 when he assisted with the MSU women's soccer team before moving to UNLV when former MSU women's assistant Staci Hendershott was appointed head coach of that program. While at UNLV, he helped that club to an overall record of 8-10-1 along with a No. 3 national ranking for first-year programs. In addition, he coached the Las Vegas Premier Soccer U-17 Team to a state championship. After one year at UNLV, Rensing returned to East Lansing in 1999 where he became an assistant coach on Baum's staff.

 

Rensing earned his bachelor's degree from MSU in communication in 1997.  He married the former Daune Koester in May 2004.  The couple have two children, Anna and Drew.

President Courtney called today’s meeting to order at LCC’s Michigan Room amidst a room full of green for St. Patrick’s Day and the MSU Spartan Basketball game. The Spartans playing at 12:15 gave us a smaller than usual crowd and a lot of cell phones in hand for those attending the meeting. Go Green!

 

Rotarians recited the 4-Way Test and Andi Earl shared an Irish Blessing as today’s reflection. Thanks to Hari Kern for leading today’s patriotic song God Bless America.

 

Rich Howard crisscrossed the room with the microphone to introduce 8 guests and 2 visiting Rotarians.

 

President Courtney updated that Bob Corwin had a hip replacement on March 16 and is doing well. It was also mentioned that John Cauley had successful cataract surgery this week.

 

Our Rotary District Governor attended today’s meeting and she invited everyone to attend the District Conference at Firekeepers Casino Hotel on May 5-6. There will be great speakers and a Kentucky Derby themed dinner. Register at https://www.district6360.com/

 

Prior to Irv Nichols’ update on Rescue South Sudan, he gave a fun story of his own Kentucky Derby experiences. Irv always has a great story! More importantly, Irv has been working with Rescue South Sudan since 2000 in helping the Sudanese refugees. At first, they helped provide life skills and employment and then focused on providing half the tuition costs for LCC. Many of the “Lost Boys” (as the refugees were called) have dispersed to employment throughout the state as well as Texas and Alaska. Kudos to Irv for his involvement in this important work!

 

President Courtney introduced Melissa Kaplan, LCC’s Academic and Arts Outreach Coordinator for our special music. Melissa intended to have the students perform in the March 16-19 performances of I Knock at the Door however the LCC closure this week included the theater which affected the performances of the show. Thankfully, the show was able to be rescheduled at Riverwalk Theater for the weekend. So, Melissa introduced us to Andy Callis who has been at LCC for over 24 years as a professor of theater and also happens to be Melissa’s husband. Andy shared three Irish songs on the accordion that they enjoy on their extensive travels to Ireland including a polka and Danny Boy.

 

Thank you to Kim Garland for serving as Chair of the Month and Michelle Reynaert for serving as Chair of the Day! Michelle introduced us to Kim’s boss Dr. Holli Seabury who is the Executive Director of the Delta Dental Foundation and also serves as the Chair of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana’s IDEA Committee related to their DEI initiatives. Holli is a member and past President of the Rotary Club of Ft. Wayne and is the District 6540 District Governor Nominee. She lives in Lansing with her seven children and three grandchildren.

 

As Holli began, the MSU game was tied 34-34 for inquiring minds although no MSU scores were announced to keep Sandy Draggoo from hearing any updates before watching it when she got home.

Holli thanked the Club for our involvement with our international grant supporting a dental clinic in Guatemala through Global Dental Relief.

 

Holli shared Delta Dental’s priority for oral health equity rather than equality. They place a big focus on oral health for those with disabilities as the wait time for care can be up to two years due to the lack of specialized dentists and lack of acceptance of Medicaid that many of these patients require. In January 2022, Delta was the first to offer extended benefits to those with disabilities with no extra cost to provide four visits a year, unlimited desensitization and anesthesia to create more equity in care as well as to the dentists providing it.

 

Delta also engages in social justice initiatives to support partnerships that meet the needs of populations with barriers related to oral healthcare. They have initiated workforce development opportunities to increase diversity within the dentistry profession to increase the number of providers who look like the neighborhoods they serve. A great resource is www.smilehelpnow.com to locate a dentist for those who are uninsured or underinsured.

 

Human Equity is another focus for Delta Dental to recognize the unique and intangible assets each employee brings to the workplace. Emphasis is placed on qualitative aspects rather than quantitative to provide an individual employee focus within the organization. Each employee’s value is because of, not in spite of, their differences.

 

Thanks to Holli for her time with Lansing Rotary and a donation will be made in her name to our foundation to do good works in the community!

 

President Courtney announced our next meeting is March 24 at LCC featuring MSU Soccer Coach Damon Rensing. See you there!

 

And, MSU did win on Friday 72-62 and then won again over the weekend to head to the Sweet Sixteen! This week they’re not playing at the same time as Rotary so no MSU excuse to miss out on Rotary!

 

Julie Pingston's email is:  jpingston@lansing.org

Below is the powerpoint from Dr. Holli Seabury's presentation from Friday, March 17, 2023.