Heersema is entering his 26th season at Saint Xavier University and fourth season as head coach of the young SXU men's volleyball program.  He has a ton of experience both as a player and coach at a variety of levels, including coaching at both the high school and collegiate level and playing adult U.S.A. volleyball at the AA level.

In 1989, 1998, 2000 and 2011, Heersema was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Women's Volleyball Coach of the Year.  In 1989 and 1998, he was the NAIA District 20 Women's Volleyball Coach of the Year, and, in 2000, the NAIA Women's Volleyball Region VII Coach of the Year.  Heersema has coached three NAIA All-Americans and led his women's volleyball squads to four conference championships (1997, 1998, 2000 and 2011) and two national tournament appearances (2000 and 2010).

Prior to joining the SXU athletics staff, Heersema served as an assistant women's volleyball coach at South Suburban College (Ill.) from 1984-85 and was head girl's volleyball coach at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Ind. for the 1986 and 1987 seasons.

Heersema is a graduate of the University of Illinois-Chicago ('86) with a degree in physical education.  He was a setter/middle blocker for three seasons on the club team at UIC and currently plays USA Volleyball Age Group, which he's been doing for the past 20 years.  He currently resides in Tinley Park, Ill.