| COACHES  Angelina Bakder-Assistant Age Group Coach A lifelong Croc from Portage, Michigan, Angelina Baker joined GKC at age 6 and rose through the program to become one of the area’s most accomplished age-group and high-school swimmers. At Portage Northern, she won multiple MHSAA state titles and set the Division 2 state record in the 500 freestyle (4:54.97) as a senior. Angelina continued her career at Oakland University, competing for two seasons as a varsity swimmer before retiring due to a shoulder injury. Returning to her roots, Angelina has coached GKC’s Junior group (including summers) and teaches private lessons, blending high-level racing experience with patient, fundamentals-first instruction. Her coaching focuses on great habits—streamlines, turns, and efficient stroke mechanics—so young swimmers build confidence, skill, and a love for the sport that lasts. Reed Hudson- Assistant Age Group Coach Reed’s journey through the sport of swimming is one marked by adaptability and dedication. Starting at age 6 with a Coast Guard swim team, Reed had the unique opportunity to train under some of the best rescue swimmers in the field. This early foundation set the tone for Reed's swimming career, as he continued to grow and evolve in the sport while moving across the country. By the time Reed reached high school in Traverse City, his commitment to the sport had earned him the position of team captain during his senior year, where he also began giving back to the swimming community by coaching with the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Breakers. In the Fall of 2023, Reed joined the Greater Kalamazoo Crocs as a coach, bringing his passion and experience to the team. Now, as a student at Western Michigan University, Reed is pursuing a degree in Aviation Management and Operations, with a minor in Business—continuing to embody the leadership and dedication that defined his time in the pool.
Mark Mattox-
I’m really excited to be starting my expanded role with GKC this fall. I’ve been helping out with various groups with the Crocs for the past couple of years, and enjoyed working with the team a lot. I’ve been teaching and coaching swimming for the better chunk of the past 30 years. In that time, I’ve served in various roles with both club and high school teams, including a year coaching a club out in Minnesota and a 7 year stint doing all things aquatic in Allegan. Most recently, I’ve been helping out as a middle and high school coach at Portage Central, where I teach science. We are a bit of a PC family now that my wife is the orchestra teacher there. We have two children, 5 and 7 that make life interesting. I really love this sport because I believe it has a unique ability to teach life skills and develop character. I know Coach Brie leaves some big shoes to fill. I will do my best to continue the great work that she has been doing. I look forward to getting to know the wonderful swimmers and families at GKC.
Brian Gogan-Head Developmental Coach Brian Gogan brings 11 years of coaching experience to the Greater Kalamazoo Crocs. A four-year NCAA Division I athlete with the Xavier University Men’s Swim Team, Gogan trained distance freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke. He was a 2001 consolation finalist in the 1650 freestyle at the A-10 Conference Championship and a four-time member of the NCAA Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Brian was previously an age-group coach with North Shore Swim Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the aquatics director at Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, and a swim coach and swim lesson instructor at The Town Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is married to Amanda Coleman and they have three children. 
Ty Parker- Head Coach/Owner Ty Parker is the owner and head coach of the Greater Kalamazoo Crocs (GKC). He took over leadership of the Portage Aquatic Club in 2008, after a previous stint as head coach from 1994 to 1996. Growing up, Ty swam for the East Lansing Golden Serpents, The Waverly Pirhana's The ELKS swim club, and Lansing Sexton High School. Ty swam collegiately at Eastern Michigan University, where he specialized in the 200 butterfly and the mile. After earning his teaching degree in 1996 from WMU, he moved to Battle Creek to teach science and coach the Cereal City Wave before returning to Kalamazoo to teach at Kalamazoo Central High School, where he became the first-ever swim coach for the Mattawan Wildcats. He also coached at Portage Central, Kalamazoo Central, and Portage Northern during his career. Ty has his Master's Degree in Education from Ohio University with an Emphasis in Sport Sciences and Recreation. In 2014, Ty purchased the Portage Aquatic Club, and over the past 10 years, he has grown the team into one of the most successful in the region. Ty has coached individual state champions in every USA Swimming event, along with numerous state record holders, high school conference champions, and hundreds of collegiate swimmers. Despite his wide range of coaching successes, Ty is most passionate about coaching swimmers 10 and under, where he enjoys laying the groundwork for their long-term development in the sport. Ty is married to his wife June (28 years), he has two children, Mackenzie Ann (26) and Maxwell Allen (21) who both swam at PAC. Recently completing his 16th year as head coach, Ty looks forward to continuing to guide and inspire swimmers in the years to come.
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