Grand Rapids, Mich. – Chance Fry already knows what it means to wear the Maroon and White.

Now, the former Aquinas student-athlete has an opportunity to help shape what wearing it will mean for the next generation of Saints.

Aquinas College Athletics has named Fry the head coach of its men's and women's golf programs, bringing the former Saints golfer back to his alma mater with a vision of building two programs capable of consistently competing among the best in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

For Aquinas Athletic Director Damon Bouwkamp, Fry's connection to the institution brings something particularly valuable to the position.

"Chance understands Aquinas because he has lived the student-athlete experience here himself," Bouwkamp said. "There is something special about having a former Saint come back and want to invest in the next generation of Aquinas student-athletes. He knows what this institution can mean to someone, he has a passion for the game of golf, and I believe his energy and competitive drive will serve both of our programs extremely well.

"We want coaches who care about developing the entire student-athlete and who understand that representing Aquinas means something beyond the final score. Chance has experienced that from the other side as a student-athlete, and now he has the opportunity to provide that experience for the young men and women he will coach. We are excited to welcome him back."

For Fry, the opportunity represents a return to a place that played an important role in his own development.

An Aquinas graduate with a bachelor's degree in Business and Sports Management, Fry was a four-year member of the Saints men's golf program and competed in the Maroon and White while AQ established itself among the stronger programs in the WHAC. During his collegiate career, the Saints produced several strong conference performances, including a third-place showing at the 2021 WHAC Fall Preview.

His connection to competitive golf, however, began well before his time at Aquinas.

Fry was a two-time all-conference selection and two-time state finalist during his high school career while helping his team capture three conference championships. He also earned Player of the Year honors on the Mizuno Lake Michigan Junior Golf Tour twice, receiving the distinction in 2012 and again in 2015.

Since his playing career, Fry has continued to build a diverse background in coaching, golf and sports. His experience includes serving as an assistant high school golf coach and as a head coach with First Tee of West Michigan. He has also worked as a Retail Golf Sales Lead with Dick's Sporting Goods and has professional sports experience with the Utah Jazz organization.

But when the opportunity came to return to Aquinas, Fry's motivation went well beyond simply becoming a collegiate head coach.

"Aquinas gave me four years as a student-athlete that I will always value, and now I have the opportunity to give something back to a place that means a great deal to me," Fry said. "I want our golfers to compete for championships, but I also want them to look back on their time here and value their Aquinas experience the way I value mine. If we can build that kind of culture in both programs while competing at a high level year after year, we'll be building something pretty special."

That familiarity with AQ gives Fry something few first-year head coaches possess.

He knows the institution.

He knows what it means to compete for Aquinas.

And, most importantly, he knows the experience of being an Aquinas student-athlete because he has lived it himself.

Now, Fry's task is to take those experiences and use them to help write the next chapter for Saints Golf.

Away from the course, Fry enjoys staying active through basketball, pickleball and tennis in addition to golf. He is an avid Detroit sports and University of Michigan fan and enjoys spending time with his family. Currently residing in Spring Lake, Fry plans to relocate to Grand Rapids later this month.

For Fry, returning to Aquinas brings his journey in the Maroon and White full circle — from competing for the Saints to now being entrusted with leading them.

And this time, his scorecard will be measured by much more than his own number at the end of 18 holes.

It will be measured by the student-athletes and programs he helps develop along the way.

It's a great day to be a Saint.