Whitehall’s Nate Bolley taking his talents to Hope College

By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

WHITEHALL–Whitehall senior Nate Bolley will take his football talents to Hope College next fall.

Bolley recently signed his national letter of intent to continue his career with the Flying Dutch after having been a major contributor for the Vikings for the past three seasons.

He was a three-year starter at the varsity level for Whitehall coach Tony Sigmon and helped lead the Vikings to a 11-1 record during the 2022 season.

Bolley was called upon to contribute in many roles and positions, including wide receiver, slot, running back and defensive back. On special teams he returned kickoffs and punts.

“I chose to pursue football and continue my academics at Hope college for many reasons,” said Bolley. “First off, I am able to grow my faith in God and really dedicate my spare time to God. Also, I get to pursue a degree that matters, a degree that will help me set my future up for success and get a job after college.

“By saying all of that I feel at home at Hope,” Bolley said. “I get to be comfortable and play the sport I love … football. Finally, one of the biggest reasons I chose to attend Hope is I get to go with Jaiden Altgilbters, Whitehall’s finest linebacker.”

Photo courtesy of LSJ photographer Leo Valdez

Bolley, who has been selected to all-area teams, all-conference teams, all-state teams and Muskegon Dream teams, was a vital part of Viking’s success during his senior season.

On offense, Bolley carried the ball 51 times for 468 yards and three touchdowns. As a receiver, he caught 23-of-26 passes that were thrown to him for 354 yards and five touchdowns. He returned 14 punts for 232 yards to go along with returning eight kickoffs for 209 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, Bolley had 27 tackles and five interceptions.

Bolley has no idea what his role will be with the Flying Dutch, a Division III College in Holland and a member of the MIAA. However, he’ll do whatever it takes to get playing time.

“In Division III football we don’t redshirt,” Bolley said. “I would love to say I will do my best to play as early and often as possible. My role that I’ll be trying to give out to my team is I put myself in any role the team needs me to be, as long as we are successful, I will play any role. I just want our team to win and be successful.”

Bolley is undecided on a major, but he is contemplating pursuing a business degree.

“I could go on for days (about his time at Whitehall),” said Bolley. “The main thing I would love to touch upon about my time at Whitehall is during my time and every seniors time at Whitehall, the coaching staff, community, school and teammates were amazing. They stood by my side and everyone’s side together as a family no matter the time, struggle, fault, they helped shape me and others mold into a better man, a more mature one and have sent me and others off and prepared all of us athletes for our future.

“Whitehall builds kids by helping them build character, leadership, maturity, and respectfulness,” Bolley said. “They molded us from a freshman to our senior year into everything I just said.”