From the classroom to the court: WMU alumnus, one-time educator living out his hoop dreams

For Trey Conner, every day at work is a slam dunk. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The chief operating officer of the Grand Rapids Gold basketball team says some of his fondest memories growing up involve WMU sporting events.

“I remember the excitement of the football games: the cannon going off, climbing that big hill in the end zone. I was always rooting for the home team,” says Trey Conner, BS ’11. 

But as much as the Kalamazoo native cherishes those early memories of WMU football games, it was the hardwood that always held a special place in his heart. 

“Basketball was always my favorite sport growing up. That’s what I enjoyed.” 

With his passion for sports, Conner pursued a degree in physical education and health from WMU, graduating in 2011. But when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself a few years later, he pivoted, and the results were nothing but net. 

“I was a December graduate, so I picked up a couple of long-term (teacher) subbing jobs and did that for a couple of years. Then this opportunity arose to start with the Grand Rapids Drive in community relations.”

Known then as the Grand Rapids Drive, the NBA G League team operated as the minor league affiliate for the Detroit Pistons, serving as a feeder system for top NBA talent, including players, coaches and staff. Conner’s early work in community relations with the team involved running basketball camps and assisting with community programs. Leaning on his physical education degree from WMU, Conner found that the role was a perfect fit.

“I went into teaching to provide a personal service and help people reach their potential. The cool thing (about working for the team) is that even though our product is basketball, we provide something to the community and help uplift the city.”

After finding success in community relations, Conner was named vice president just four years later. Another four years after that, in 2022, he was promoted to COO, just as the team rebranded from the Grand Rapids Drive to the Grand Rapids Gold and transitioned from a Detroit Pistons-affiliated team to a part of the Denver Nuggets organization. 

It was a meteoric rise for Conner that led to his inclusion in Crain’s Grand Rapids Business “40 under 40” list in 2023, an achievement that in his words, “served as the culmination of 10 years of hard work.”

Kalamazoo kid

Growing up in Kalamazoo, Western was always Conner’s top choice. 

“Western was right in my backyard growing up. Being ingrained in the community my whole life and the proximity of being close to home, I thought Western would give me the best opportunity post-college to succeed.”

While at WMU, Conner was highly involved in intramural sports and student organizations like the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, where he served as president. 

“Western encouraged me to get more involved and understand that outside of class there are more opportunities to do different things. Being involved in those organizations set me with the mentality of doing more than what’s being asked of you.”

Perhaps just as impactful as his campus involvement was the relationship he forged with Dr. Debra Berkey, professor of physical education, who retired in 2018.

“Dr. Berkey was a big influence in that she showed me the path. She gave me a lot of opportunities to get involved,” he says. “She also helped me embrace the idea that your expected graduation date is an uncontrollable factor. But what you can do during that time is network and be proactive, because that helps you after graduation.”

Berkey’s lessons have also helped influence Conner’s management style. As COO of the Gold, he ensures that operations are running smoothly, but he also places importance on helping his team understand the opportunities that lie ahead.

“I just want people to keep going,” he says. “When I started, I was entry-level and I was able to work my way up, so I try to reciprocate that and help others do the same.”

As good as gold

Conner, now in his 10th year with the Grand Rapids Gold, looks toward the future with great optimism.

In 2023, the Gold’s NBA counterpart, the Denver Nuggets, took home the NBA Championship, and in the following season, the Gold ranked third in NBA G League attendance thanks to an exciting relocation to Grand Rapids’ downtown Van Andel Arena. Conner attributes the Gold’s recent success to the local community. 

“A lot of things are credited to Grand Rapids and the entire West Michigan area. They are probably 90% of why we succeed.”

If anyone understands the significance of rooting for a local team and making cherished memories along the way, it’s Conner, who did it years ago with his hometown Broncos. ■