Recognized by
Michigan 4-H Youth Development

With support from
Michigan 4-H Foundation

Last updated: February 3, 2010

Founder/Owner,
Babbitt’s Sports Center

“Most of all, 4-H taught me that I could achieve whatever I wanted to with the right initiative. As much time as we spent in 4-H, I learned that if you put enough into it, it would work out.”

In 1965, Oceana County 4-H’er Edward C. Babbitt began what has grown into a multi-million dollar hobby and very successful business—Babbitt’s Sport Center. Best known for sale of personal watercraft, jet boats and snowmobiles, Babbitt’s Sport Center also sells lawn and garden equipment, sportswear, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. His marketing success earned him Muskegon’s Entrepreneur 1997 Award recognizing his business’s growth in sales, unit volume and number of employees. He has also received several awards for sales and service, including the Suzuki Super Service Award for 19 years and Polaris and Arctic Cat’s Snowmobile Retailer of the Year for multiple years.

Babbitt has also been honored in Muskegon County as a generous supporter of community organizations including the Association of Retarded Citizens and Zonta International. He has supported several Christian education schools including The Calvary Christian School, West Michigan Christian School and Grand Haven Christian School. He chairs, with his wife Pamala, the Flag Committee for Zonta, which provides highway flags for special Muskegon celebrations and national holidays. He has also served as a Muskegon County 4-H volunteer leader.

In memorium May 22, 2004.