Amy Bishop Funk has decided to give up coaching softball at Hopkins High School after seven years.
She posted on Facebook Saturday, “Well all good things come to an end. (It was) my last season coaching softball and my heart is heavy.
“Seven years at Hopkins has been amazing and worth every minute. Memories that were made will never be forgotten! To past and current players at Hopkins, I can’t thank you enough for everything. Coaching is a passion. Softball is a passion and it’s definitely not easy to let go, and it’s because of the student athletes I coach.
“Also the parent support over the years has been awesome.”
Funk this past winter was hired as head varsity volleyball coach for the Vikings. Her last game as Vikings’ softball coach was in the district finals Saturday.
Funk has a lot of experience. She has guided a softball team for 16 years and has coached volleyball for 17, but this will be her first at the varsity level.
She succeeds Alicia Kent, who has stepped down after two years.
Funk graduated from Aquinas College in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She played three years of softball and one year of basketball for the Saints. She also played volleyball and softball at Allegan High School.
Funk has been physical wellness and health teacher at West Ottawa Public Schools since her college graduation. Her overall coaching has included 29 years at levels from sixth grade to college.
Funk also coached varsity softball at Grandville High School and was an assistant in softball for Hope College.
Her Grandville softball team of 2008 won the district championship, as did her West Ottawa teams of 2003, 2004 and 2017. Her West Ottawa team of 2002 won its first O-K Conference championship in 25 years.
