Vander Velden is Newton’s Swiss army knife

Eric Vander Velden is in his 14th year of teaching and coaching in the Newton Community School District.

He’s taught physical education in all four of the current elementary buildings and has a coaching resume that continues to grow by the year.

And his inspiration to become a teacher came from a childhood educator who he wanted to be like when he grew up.

“My elementary PE teacher was Bruce Clement, who graduated from Newton,” Vander Velden said. “He’s taught at Woodrow Wilson but was my teacher at 4-mile Elementary School in the Southeast Polk district. He’s the main reason I wanted to become a teacher. I always wanted to be like him, and I’m still in contact with him today.”

Most of the PE teachers in the Newton district also are coaches. That’s the case for Vander Velden, whose number of sports he’s coached in the district grew to four when he became a high school softball assistant last summer.

Vander Velden has been the middle school girls track and field coach for all 14 years of his tenure in Newton. And he’s coached basketball for 14 years, too.

“I’m a sports fanatic. I always wanted to be involved with sports,” Vander Velden said. “My Dad was my little league and basketball coach and all my siblings played sports, too. It’s just something I’ve always been around.”

His high school coaching career started with volleyball. He was a high school assistant coach under Kim Florke for several years, spent seven or eight years coaching eighth grade basketball and even spent one year as the high school boys assistant basketball coach.

“My buddies call me the human statistician,” Vander Velden said. “I have been involved with sports since I can remember. I even kept my own stats in little league.”

Vander Velden’s list of responsibilities doesn’t start and end with teaching and coaching. One could argue he does more for the district than any other single person.

He’s a bus driver, referee, public address announcer and an assistant to the activities director for the district. And since he can’t say no easily, the already long list may grow by next year.

“Vandy is a great teammate. When we need something, whether it’s my department or any other department, it seems like he’s always one of the first ones to step up and help us out,” Newton Activities Director Ryan Rump said. “I just classify him as a true Cardinal. He loves Newton. He loves the Newton Community School District and he loves all our activities no matter what they are.”

He started driving a bus for the district in December of 2020. Vander Velden started out as an extra body to transport athletes to and from games. It has turned into him starting up a before-and-after school route this week.

“Mr. Rump told me in October of 2020 that we were short bus drivers,” Vander Velden said. “I got my CDL that winter break in December. My first route was in icy and snowy conditions. That was the first time I drove a bus.”

His duties as an assistant to the AD vary. But he’s there mostly to fill in for Rump when he needs a night off.

“Considering all the things he does, he’s certainly an integral part of our machine,” Rump said. “His job would be a tough one to fill if he wasn’t around. We appreciate everything he does. He’s always one of my go to’s when I need help. I know I can count on him.”

Vander Velden doesn’t have a lot of free time anymore. He admits to not being able to hang out with friends as much as he used to. But sitting around and doing nothing also is not something he’s interested in.

“I’ve always been a go-getter. I can’t just sit around,” Vander Velden said. “My Dad has been retired for five or so years and he’s still volunteers his time. I imagine I get it from him.”