Beginning in the summer of 2025, Thomas Kettelkamp has been named the new General Manager of the Genesee Rapids by the Board of Directors. Although his 38 year career in higher education has been primarily in the academic area, Thom is no stranger to (Beisbol) baseball. Thom brings a wealth of baseball experience to the Rapids including coaching at the collegiate level (Illinois State and Houghton University) and as the National Baseball Coach of Honduras for 20 years. He also has run successful baseball camps in 8 different countries around the world.
Retiring from Houghton University in 2018, Thom and wife Margo continue to travel around the world. Why take on this overwhelming task of General Manager of the Rapids? Thom states: “I get bored easily and love to surround myself with high achievers (all-star baseball players and all-star community volunteers). It makes me a better person and keeps me feeling alive, active and connected to the community. Most of all I want to see the magical evenings of competitive baseball at the world class baseball venue continue in the Houghton community. This vision of Ralph Kerr has made for very enjoyable evenings for residents of Houghton and the nearby communities. It is “Americana” at its best. I hope and pray that I, and a large group of local volunteers, can continue the mission and vision of Ralph Kerr: “to present to baseball players, coaches and all who they influence, the challenge and adventure of living for Jesus Christ in a needy world, through the game of baseball”.
Ralph P. Kerr has been the owner of the Genesee Rapids and recently retired as the team's General Manager following the 10th Anniversary season in the summer of 2024. He became interested in establishing a franchise in the NYCBL in Houghton, NY, after watching his grandson thoroughly enjoy playing a few summers ago for the Niagara Power in the league. Ralph played an important role in obtaining the funding for new baseball and softball stadiums along with a 107,000 square foot field house at Houghton University in Houghton, NY where the team plays.
He is a retired public school superintendent who has been involved in the education of young men and women for 28 years. Ralph holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Syracuse University and a Masters in Education – Counseling from SUNY Brockport.
Thanks to the leadership of Ralph, the Rapids have become a summer fixture for not only Houghton, but the surrounding communities. He has created an environment where young men can hear the truth of Jesus Christ's love for them all while playing the game of baseball.