Sam Vander Plas is in his second season as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Green Bay men's basketball program. In Vander Plas' role, he will be responsible for player management, program operations and will assist in setting up on-campus recruiting and coordinating official and unofficial visits for potential recruits.
"The Green Bay men's basketball program is excited to welcome Sam Vander Plas as our Director of Basketball Operations," said Head Coach Will Ryan. "Sam's ties to the program run deep and it was clear during the interview process that he had all the qualifications we were looking for. Not only does Sam have a great basketball mind, he is well-versed in all the necessary day-to-day operations of running a successful program. He is a welcomed addition and we are fortunate to have him on board."
Vander Plas, a native of Ripon, Wis., most recently served as a graduate assistant with the Illinois State women's basketball program. Prior to his two-year stint with the Redbirds, Vander Plas was pursuing his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin, where he worked with the women's basketball program as a manager.
"Thank you to head coach
Will Ryan and the rest of the search committee for the conversations and insight throughout the interview process," said Vander Plas. "UW-Green Bay holds a special place in my heart. I am excited to have the opportunity join such a great staff and build upon the history of success at this program."
Vander Plas received his B.S. in Communication Arts from UW-Madison and is putting the finishing touches on a Master's Degree in Recreation Administration from Illinois State.
Both of Sam's parents, Dean and Mary Vander Plas, are graduates from UW-Green Bay. His father Dean played on the men's basketball team from 1987-91 and was inducted into the Green Bay Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. His brother, Bennett, played for Coach Ryan and Coach Swanson at Ohio University. He also has a sister, Taylor, who played college basketball at Cedarville University in Ohio
