MISSION: Elevate Basketball Across the Western Slope
VISION: 970 HOOPS aims to create basketball opportunities for ALL across the Western Slope of Colorado. Through the creation of basketball opportunities; 970 HOOPS will foster the growth, love of the game, and support the development of basketball across the Western Slope of Colorado.
970 ELITE: is a branch of 970 HOOPS focused on basketball skill development.
Develop ELITE athletes through advanced physical and mental training. Our athletes will be educated and coached to succeed ON and OFF the court.
#ElevateTheWEST
The 970 HOOPS Team
MICHAEL Vandahl (owner/Founder)
Michael Vandahl graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2008. Michael played under Colorado coaching legend Kelly Meek from 2005 – 2008. Michael continued his playing career at the collegiate level playing at the Division I and II level. Upon completion of his playing career he returned to Steamboat Springs to begin his coaching career.
Michael has been coaching basketball at all levels since 2014.
Michael has and continues to gain a vast knowledge of the game.
"I am extremely passionate about elevating basketball in my hometown and across the Western Slope of Colorado. I was fortunate to be mentored and coached by one of the best high school coaches in Colorado high school basketball history. My goal is to give athletes on the Western Slope the same opportunities I was lucky enough to receive.
I love the game of basketball and it is my passion to create basketball opportunities for all ages, skill levels, and genders."
Playing Career
2005 – 2008
Steamboat Springs High School
- 2007 First Team 4A Western Slope League
- 2007 Second Team All State
- 2007 School Record 90 % Free Throw Percentage
- 2008 4A Western Slope League Player of the Year
- 2008 Second Team All State
- All Time Assist Leader (331)
- All Time Three Point % Leader (40.2 %)
- 2007 School Record Free Throw % (90.6%)
- 4A Western Slope League Record (49 - 7)
- 4A Western Slope League Champions (2005,07,08)
- Three Sweet 16 Appearances (2005,07,08)
2008/09
University of Denver (Division I)
2009 – 2011
University of Nebraska @ Kearney (Division II)
- 2009/10 Lead Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in Three Point % (50 %)
2011 – 2013
Western Colorado University (Division II)
- Team Captain 2012/13
Point Guard College Graduate (Player) 2007
Coaching/Professional Career
2013 – 2015
Steamboat Springs High School Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach
2015 – Present
Steamboat Springs High School Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach
- 2018/19, 2020/21 4A Western Slope League Coach of the Year
- 4A Western Slope League Champions 2017, 19, 21
- Six Straight Playoff Appearances, Sweet 16 (2019), Great 8 (2021)
2014 – 2016
High Altitude Basketball Yampa Valley Youth League Coordinator
High Altitude Basketball Summer Camp Coordinator
2016 – 2018
High Altitude Basketball Director of Basketball Operations
2016 – Present
High Altitude Basketball Advanced Skills Camp Director
2019 – Present
Colorado Rough Riders U17 Premier Boys Basketball Coach
Point Guard College Graduate (Coach) 2015
Kelly Meek - Elite Coach
Kelly Meek retired from high school coaching in 2008 as one of the greatest high school basketball coaches in Colorado history. In his 34 years coaching at Steamboat Springs High School he lead his team's to 44 League, district, or regional championships and twenty pre-season tournament championships.
Meek’s 544 wins place him third all-time among high school boys coaches in Colorado and second all-time among coaches at one school.
Meek entered the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011.
Coach Meek after retiring became an assistant coach at Western State Colorado University until 2014, with his main responsibilities including player development and opponent breakdown.
Coach Vandahl played for Coach Meek from 2005 - 2008 at Steamboat Springs High School, Coach Meek's final four years. They teamed up again at Western State Colorado University from 2011 - 2013. They are excited to work together once again with the goal of elevating Western Slope basketball.
Mac Riniker- Elite Coach
Ethan Riniker- Elite Coach
Mac and Ethan both played high school basketball at Steamboat Springs High School for head coach Michael Vandahl. Both worked extremely hard and became highly decorated players. Ethan was the 4A Western Slope League Player of the Year in 2016/17 and Mac followed suite and won the honor in 2018/19.
Ethan played three years of college basketball at St Norbert College in Wisconsin.
Mac is currently starting at Colorado Mesa University, one of the top Division II programs in the country.
Both are excited to share what they have learned on their basketball journey's and are ready to pass it along to the youth they coach.
