One of the most under-utilized parts of Chargerblue.com is our online message board. Give us your take and read what other Charger fans have to say. WCSR's Andy Brown, the radio voice of Hillsdale football recently sat down with coach Keith Otterbein and got the head man's thoughts on several subject.
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Tradition • Character • Service
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
Andy Dion: "Collegian" Outstanding Scholar Athlete
Charger walk-on for two years, is finally rewarded with scholarship
By Trinity Graeser
Collegian Copy Editor
February 24, 2005
Playing football at Hillsdale College can be brutal not only on a player's body but also on his time.
Devoting 30 or more hours a week to the sport—without an athletic scholarship—demonstrates a real love for the game.
Six-foot-one-inch Charger defensive lineman Andrew Dion is a player with that kind of love. And this year, that love has finally paid off—literally.
A junior majoring in economics with minors in both biology and chemistry (with an eye toward medical school), Dion said he “took a risk” financially when he came to Hillsdale College three years ago as a walk-on without a football scholarship.
Full Article
By Trinity Graeser
Collegian Copy Editor
February 24, 2005
Playing football at Hillsdale College can be brutal not only on a player's body but also on his time.
Devoting 30 or more hours a week to the sport—without an athletic scholarship—demonstrates a real love for the game.
Six-foot-one-inch Charger defensive lineman Andrew Dion is a player with that kind of love. And this year, that love has finally paid off—literally.
A junior majoring in economics with minors in both biology and chemistry (with an eye toward medical school), Dion said he “took a risk” financially when he came to Hillsdale College three years ago as a walk-on without a football scholarship.
Full Article
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Blog, Blog, Blog
Web logging or blogging is becoming more and more popular. In fact, switching Chargerblue.com from the standard webpage format to this blog has been the smartestest decision I have ever made with this website. More and more Hillsdale information is becoming available through blogging.
Check out the elusive Hillsdale Alumnus' Hillsdale College News blog to keep up with the latest news and comment surrounding Hillsdale College. Hillsdale student Dan Greene has compiled a listing of Hillsdale related blogs at his blog as well.
Check out the elusive Hillsdale Alumnus' Hillsdale College News blog to keep up with the latest news and comment surrounding Hillsdale College. Hillsdale student Dan Greene has compiled a listing of Hillsdale related blogs at his blog as well.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Hillsdale Signs WR, LB
As the over-hyping of National Letter of Intent Signing has faded, Hillsdale College head football coach Keith Otterbein and his staff have remained hard at work, trying to finalize this year's recruiting class. Recently signed are two players who bring added speed to the Charger football program.
Aaron Waldie, 5'11, 175, WR, Sylvania (OH) Southview Waldie is a two-time Div. 2 All-Ohio wide receiver who caught 50 passes for 820 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
"I am very excited to be a part of the great football tradition at Hillsdale," Waldie said recently. "I have heard nothing but great things about the program and the school."
Waldie brings with him soft hands and great speed. He turned heads this summer with a 4.5 (electronic) 40 yard dash time that earned him the "Smokehouse Champion" award as the fastest athlete at the University of Michigan football camp. He also won the camp's coveted "Best Hands Award".
Southview Coach Jim Mayzes recently stated, "Aaron is an exceptional football player. He is a very coach-able, intelligent athlete and a team player with a good positive head on his shoulders and a desire to succeed each and every day. Aaron has a 3.5 gpa, he's a National Honor Society member, a team captain and has been a natural driven leader on the team since he stepped foot on the field 4 years ago. He not only consistently catches the ball but makes something happen after the catch on almost every occasion."
Aaron's father built a website to keep family in Michigan and California up to date on Aaron's Southview accomplishments. It is complete with news articles and game film from each game this season. [website]
Marcellus Wade, 6'1" 205, LB, Farmington High School Wade received recognition from the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and Oakland Press as a member of their all area teams.
Charger assistant coach Nate Shreffler called Wade a "big hitter" and noted the linebacker's speed and athleticism as positives he brings to the Charger defense.
Aaron Waldie, 5'11, 175, WR, Sylvania (OH) Southview Waldie is a two-time Div. 2 All-Ohio wide receiver who caught 50 passes for 820 yards and 12 touchdowns last season."I am very excited to be a part of the great football tradition at Hillsdale," Waldie said recently. "I have heard nothing but great things about the program and the school."
Waldie brings with him soft hands and great speed. He turned heads this summer with a 4.5 (electronic) 40 yard dash time that earned him the "Smokehouse Champion" award as the fastest athlete at the University of Michigan football camp. He also won the camp's coveted "Best Hands Award".
Southview Coach Jim Mayzes recently stated, "Aaron is an exceptional football player. He is a very coach-able, intelligent athlete and a team player with a good positive head on his shoulders and a desire to succeed each and every day. Aaron has a 3.5 gpa, he's a National Honor Society member, a team captain and has been a natural driven leader on the team since he stepped foot on the field 4 years ago. He not only consistently catches the ball but makes something happen after the catch on almost every occasion."
Aaron's father built a website to keep family in Michigan and California up to date on Aaron's Southview accomplishments. It is complete with news articles and game film from each game this season. [website]
Marcellus Wade, 6'1" 205, LB, Farmington High School Wade received recognition from the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and Oakland Press as a member of their all area teams.Charger assistant coach Nate Shreffler called Wade a "big hitter" and noted the linebacker's speed and athleticism as positives he brings to the Charger defense.
Collegian: Hillsdale Belongs in DIII, Sayers: DII is Best
So, What's your take? On January 27, the Hillsdale Collegian editorial staff reacted to the elimination of 2 Hillsdale sports with an editorial calling for the Charger Athletic Dpt. to move down from Division II to Division III. Two weeks later, Collegian columnist Tim Sayers fired back arguing the Hillsdale should remain a Division II school.
Read both perspectives here and then give us your thoughts.
"Collegian Weekly" Hillsdale Collegian January 27, 2005:
Last week the college chopped off two more sports programs. The men's golf and women's tennis teams were amputated from the athletic department, ostensibly to redirect the vital flow of money toward sports with a better chance to succeed.
In his press release, Athletic Director Mike Kovalchik emphasized the word “discontinued” to describe these cuts, as he did two years ago when four sports met the same fate.
At that point, he spoke of bringing the teams back as quickly as possible, but two years have passed since then and today two more sports are gone.
The administration says it wants to strengthen and improve the athletic department. Chopping off two teams and redistributing their meager budgets, however, isn't going to make a major change in the overall success of Charger Sports.
Hillsdale is simply too small and too poor to maintain a healthy and consistently successful Division II athletic program. Even the smaller colleges in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference have student bodies two to three times the size of Hillsdale's. Full Column
"Sayers on the Sidelines" Hillsdale Collegian February 18, 2005:
Two weeks ago, after the men's golf team and the women's tennis team were cut an article was printed in the Collegian arguing that Hillsdale should change from a Division II school to a Division III. However, one member of the Collegian staff did not agree with what was in the article: me.
First, the article questioned Hillsdale College's ability to sustain its level of play for years because of its size. Yes, Hillsdale is much smaller than Grand Valley or Wayne State, but Hillsdale's ability to be competitive against schools that are 20 times larger than we are is a credit to our coaches, athletes and the school itself. Already this year, the men's cross country team finished eighth in the nation, the men's and women's basketball teams are ranked in the top three of the GLIAC South Division, and our volleyball team made it deep into the conference tournament. For a school with fewer students than my high school, I would say that is a pretty successful year.
Now, will Hillsdale be able to continue this high level of competition? I believe they will. Because of these impressive seasons, teams should be able to bring in better recruiting classes and improve their level of play even more, making them able to sustain a high level of play for years. Full Article
Read both perspectives here and then give us your thoughts.
"Collegian Weekly" Hillsdale Collegian January 27, 2005:
Last week the college chopped off two more sports programs. The men's golf and women's tennis teams were amputated from the athletic department, ostensibly to redirect the vital flow of money toward sports with a better chance to succeed.
In his press release, Athletic Director Mike Kovalchik emphasized the word “discontinued” to describe these cuts, as he did two years ago when four sports met the same fate.
At that point, he spoke of bringing the teams back as quickly as possible, but two years have passed since then and today two more sports are gone.
The administration says it wants to strengthen and improve the athletic department. Chopping off two teams and redistributing their meager budgets, however, isn't going to make a major change in the overall success of Charger Sports.
Hillsdale is simply too small and too poor to maintain a healthy and consistently successful Division II athletic program. Even the smaller colleges in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference have student bodies two to three times the size of Hillsdale's. Full Column
"Sayers on the Sidelines" Hillsdale Collegian February 18, 2005:
Two weeks ago, after the men's golf team and the women's tennis team were cut an article was printed in the Collegian arguing that Hillsdale should change from a Division II school to a Division III. However, one member of the Collegian staff did not agree with what was in the article: me.
First, the article questioned Hillsdale College's ability to sustain its level of play for years because of its size. Yes, Hillsdale is much smaller than Grand Valley or Wayne State, but Hillsdale's ability to be competitive against schools that are 20 times larger than we are is a credit to our coaches, athletes and the school itself. Already this year, the men's cross country team finished eighth in the nation, the men's and women's basketball teams are ranked in the top three of the GLIAC South Division, and our volleyball team made it deep into the conference tournament. For a school with fewer students than my high school, I would say that is a pretty successful year.
Now, will Hillsdale be able to continue this high level of competition? I believe they will. Because of these impressive seasons, teams should be able to bring in better recruiting classes and improve their level of play even more, making them able to sustain a high level of play for years. Full Article
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Blanchard Named New Defensive Coordinator-Marquel takes WKU Offer
Blanchard is no stranger to calling the defense. Prior to his return to Hillsdale in 2001, Blanchard served as defensive coordinator at the University of Indianapolis. In 1998 and in 1999 his Greyhounds led the GLIAC in every defensive category. In 1991 Blanchard was defensive coordinator for the Columbus Thunderbolts of the Arena Football League.
A native of nearby Jonesville, Blanchard helped engineer some of the toughest defensive squads in Charger history as defensive backs coach from 1982-1985. That run saw Hillsdale DB's pick off 32 passes in 1982 and the Chargers bring home the NAIA National Championship in 1985.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Black History Month - Frederick Douglas' Visit to Hillsdale College
Historic Visit
By Steven Hepker
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Staff Writer
HILLSDALE -- The Civil War was raging, and a disproportionate number of Hillsdale College students were fighting in it, when Frederick Douglass arrived on campus Jan. 21, 1863.
Douglass, a former slave, was every bit the orator and thinker as President Lincoln was, and one of the most commanding and controversial figures of that era.
His abolitionist speeches across the North were startling. He proposed ideas that could get even white men killed, never teetering on the fence but always hammering the message that all men deserve liberty.
"It was amazing how powerfully he could speak, and yet there was never a riot where he spoke," said Arlan Gilbert, historian for Hillsdale College.
Gilbert thinks Douglass deserves another look as Americans observe Black History Month. Douglass paved the way for the modern civil-rights movement.
The visit by a man of his stature was business as usual at the tiny liberal arts college. Founded in 1844, it was the first in the nation to admit blacks and women.
Hillsdale was a regular stop for leading abolitionists, and they found a receptive audience. No nonmilitary college sent more soldiers to fight for the Union, Gilbert said.
Douglas was 55 years old and well known when he embarked on a speaking tour from Boston to Chicago. Lincoln had just issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which led to the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery nationwide.
Full Article
By Steven Hepker
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Staff Writer
HILLSDALE -- The Civil War was raging, and a disproportionate number of Hillsdale College students were fighting in it, when Frederick Douglass arrived on campus Jan. 21, 1863.
Douglass, a former slave, was every bit the orator and thinker as President Lincoln was, and one of the most commanding and controversial figures of that era.
His abolitionist speeches across the North were startling. He proposed ideas that could get even white men killed, never teetering on the fence but always hammering the message that all men deserve liberty.
"It was amazing how powerfully he could speak, and yet there was never a riot where he spoke," said Arlan Gilbert, historian for Hillsdale College.
Gilbert thinks Douglass deserves another look as Americans observe Black History Month. Douglass paved the way for the modern civil-rights movement.
The visit by a man of his stature was business as usual at the tiny liberal arts college. Founded in 1844, it was the first in the nation to admit blacks and women.
Hillsdale was a regular stop for leading abolitionists, and they found a receptive audience. No nonmilitary college sent more soldiers to fight for the Union, Gilbert said.
Douglas was 55 years old and well known when he embarked on a speaking tour from Boston to Chicago. Lincoln had just issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which led to the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery nationwide.
Full Article
Yassay Signs With Hillsdale
Yassay signs with Hillsdale
By Sam Eggleston
Northville Record Sports Writer
February 17, 2005
Two years ago when Mark Yassay first returned to Michigan following a year in Sweden, he never thought he’d be starting on a varsity football team.
Now he’s paying for college because of the sport.
Hillsdale College, a Division II school, offered Yassay a full-tuition scholarship to play football for them recently. Last week, he signed his name to the deal.
“I went there and really enjoyed it,” he said. “The education available there is really, really good.”
The Northville offensive lineman, who earned All-Area and All-Conference honors this season, said that he will most likely study accounting at the institution.
Full Article
By Sam Eggleston
Northville Record Sports Writer
February 17, 2005
Two years ago when Mark Yassay first returned to Michigan following a year in Sweden, he never thought he’d be starting on a varsity football team.
Now he’s paying for college because of the sport.
Hillsdale College, a Division II school, offered Yassay a full-tuition scholarship to play football for them recently. Last week, he signed his name to the deal.
“I went there and really enjoyed it,” he said. “The education available there is really, really good.”
The Northville offensive lineman, who earned All-Area and All-Conference honors this season, said that he will most likely study accounting at the institution.
Full Article
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Korte taking football talents to Hillsdale
Thursday, February 10, 2005
By Dean Holzwarth
The Grand Rapids Press
The success of a football program can have a strong influence on a high school athlete when it comes to choosing a future college.
But in Tom Korte's case, a solid academic foundation also played a key role in the process.
Korte, a three-sport standout at Catholic Central, signed a national letter-of-intent with Hillsdale College last week and cited educational benefits as the main reason behind his decision.
"From an academic standpoint, Hillsdale fit me perfectly for what I wanted to do in the future," Korte said. "I'm leaning toward pre-dental and they have a good program for that."
Catholic Central football coach Tom Passinault wasn't surprised by Korte's commitment to academics.
"He made a mature decision because he's interested in the pre-med or pre-dental programs and he felt they (Hillsdale) gave him the best opportunity to be successful in that area," Passinault said. "They have smaller class sizes and more individual attention and that will only help him."
Korte, who also plays basketball and baseball at the City League school, was heavily recruited by Grand Valley State as well, but passed on the two-time Division II national champions.
"Grand Valley has a great school, too, but I think in the recruiting process you have to go on a feeling," Korte said. "And after I went to Hillsdale I felt it was the place for me. I met with the players and coaches and just felt really comfortable and at home."
Central Michigan and Western Michigan also showed interest in the All-City linebacker, but Korte said they wanted him as a walk-on.
Instead, he'll go to a program where he could potentially make an early impact.
"Hillsdale did a great job of recruiting him and made him feel welcome, and they talked to him about an opportunity to play right away," Passinault said. "He could've tried to walk on at a bigger school, but this gives him an opportunity to play early and play linebacker, which is a good fit for him."
Korte (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) was a two-way star on the varsity team for four years and was named to the Class B all-state first team last fall.
By Dean Holzwarth
The Grand Rapids Press
The success of a football program can have a strong influence on a high school athlete when it comes to choosing a future college.
But in Tom Korte's case, a solid academic foundation also played a key role in the process.
Korte, a three-sport standout at Catholic Central, signed a national letter-of-intent with Hillsdale College last week and cited educational benefits as the main reason behind his decision.
"From an academic standpoint, Hillsdale fit me perfectly for what I wanted to do in the future," Korte said. "I'm leaning toward pre-dental and they have a good program for that."
Catholic Central football coach Tom Passinault wasn't surprised by Korte's commitment to academics.
"He made a mature decision because he's interested in the pre-med or pre-dental programs and he felt they (Hillsdale) gave him the best opportunity to be successful in that area," Passinault said. "They have smaller class sizes and more individual attention and that will only help him."
Korte, who also plays basketball and baseball at the City League school, was heavily recruited by Grand Valley State as well, but passed on the two-time Division II national champions.
"Grand Valley has a great school, too, but I think in the recruiting process you have to go on a feeling," Korte said. "And after I went to Hillsdale I felt it was the place for me. I met with the players and coaches and just felt really comfortable and at home."
Central Michigan and Western Michigan also showed interest in the All-City linebacker, but Korte said they wanted him as a walk-on.
Instead, he'll go to a program where he could potentially make an early impact.
"Hillsdale did a great job of recruiting him and made him feel welcome, and they talked to him about an opportunity to play right away," Passinault said. "He could've tried to walk on at a bigger school, but this gives him an opportunity to play early and play linebacker, which is a good fit for him."
Korte (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) was a two-way star on the varsity team for four years and was named to the Class B all-state first team last fall.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Hillsdale Begins to Sign Recruits
Wednesday, February 2nd was the first day colleges could sign their recruits to scholarship offers. With only 8 scholarships to work with this season, Hillsdale coach Keith Otterbein and his staff were looking for quality over quantity. More information and more recruits will be signed in the coming months. Keep checking back and please feel free to send in your own recruiting information. Recruits, you are welcome to let us know your feelings about joining the Charger family.
Tom Korte, 6' 1", 220, RB, LB, Grand Rapids Catholic Central -From Jane Bos, Grand Rapids Press, Nov. 29, 2004, "A three-time member of the Dream Team and a repeat member of the Class B all-state team, Korte set a school record for career tackles (307). He had 46 solo tackles and 80 assists this season as the Cougars reached the second round of the Division 4 playoffs. Korte also totaled more than 2,000 yards rushing in his career. "I have been around Catholic Central football for close to 30 years," Catholic Central coach Tom Passinault said. "And as a two-way player, Tom is the most productive player I have ever been around. He is like having two all-state players on your team."
From michiganpreps.rivals.com, "When thinking of the perfect HS linebacker, it’s hard to not think of Korte. He spent most of last season living in opponents’ backfields, or knocking their safeties apart at FB. He’s a sure tackler and quick to the ball with a motor that never quits."
Jared Veldheer, 6'7", 275, OT, (Grand Rapids) Forest Hills Northern, From MichiganInsider.com, "Coaches Comments -- 'Great feet for his size. Jared is 265-pounds but he looks about 220. Great feet for his size, a very good basketball player and he has the frame to carry 310-pounds.' Forest Hills Northern coach Brent Myers." Reported by GR Press
Nick Lewis, 6' 1", 201, RB, Dayton, OH, Oakwood HS, #4 leading scorer in entire state of Ohio in 2004, Rushed for 33 TDs and 1,870 yards on 212 carries. Southwest Buckeye League Offensive Back of the Year, Division IV All State. Photo from Dayton Daily News. Team website
Mark Yassay, 6'6", 260, OL, Northville, MI, Detroit Free Press, All West First Team, From Freep.com: "Was the leading blocker for Northville's running backs that averaged a school-record 6.75 yards a carry this season. Coach Clint Alexander: "He was so physical that he drove guys down the field, creating running lanes for our backs. He was a devastating run blocker. He was a big reason we set that record." Recruited by Division I and Ivy League colleges. 3.6 GPA."
Brian Hewitt, 6'1", 200, HB, Lake Orion, MI, All Oakland County as a tight end, From Oakland Press: " the three-year varsity performer finished with 26 receptions for 384 yards and seven touchdowns. 'He had the athleticism of a wide receiver and the body of a tight end,' (Lake Orion Coach Chris) Bell said. "He has great speed to exploit matchups and great knowledge of the game. He knows where to be and how to get open." Had a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown.
Greg Sparks, 6'3", 250, DT, Shaker Heights, OH, University School
Myles Fish Jr., 6'1", 175, DB, Grand Haven, MI From Grand Haven head coach Steve Horodyski, "We are excited for our players that get a chance play at the next level. Myles was on a team that put 4 players into the Gliac and of all of our players Myles was the best All Round player on both sides of the ball. He is much like some other players we have sent to Hillsdale (All time leading passer Bill Skelton, All GLIAC LB Rob North)... they work very hard, they are bright and put Team first."
Official Hillsdale List
From michiganpreps.rivals.com, "When thinking of the perfect HS linebacker, it’s hard to not think of Korte. He spent most of last season living in opponents’ backfields, or knocking their safeties apart at FB. He’s a sure tackler and quick to the ball with a motor that never quits."
Jared Veldheer, 6'7", 275, OT, (Grand Rapids) Forest Hills Northern, From MichiganInsider.com, "Coaches Comments -- 'Great feet for his size. Jared is 265-pounds but he looks about 220. Great feet for his size, a very good basketball player and he has the frame to carry 310-pounds.' Forest Hills Northern coach Brent Myers." Reported by GR Press
Nick Lewis, 6' 1", 201, RB, Dayton, OH, Oakwood HS, #4 leading scorer in entire state of Ohio in 2004, Rushed for 33 TDs and 1,870 yards on 212 carries. Southwest Buckeye League Offensive Back of the Year, Division IV All State. Photo from Dayton Daily News. Team website
Mark Yassay, 6'6", 260, OL, Northville, MI, Detroit Free Press, All West First Team, From Freep.com: "Was the leading blocker for Northville's running backs that averaged a school-record 6.75 yards a carry this season. Coach Clint Alexander: "He was so physical that he drove guys down the field, creating running lanes for our backs. He was a devastating run blocker. He was a big reason we set that record." Recruited by Division I and Ivy League colleges. 3.6 GPA."
Brian Hewitt, 6'1", 200, HB, Lake Orion, MI, All Oakland County as a tight end, From Oakland Press: " the three-year varsity performer finished with 26 receptions for 384 yards and seven touchdowns. 'He had the athleticism of a wide receiver and the body of a tight end,' (Lake Orion Coach Chris) Bell said. "He has great speed to exploit matchups and great knowledge of the game. He knows where to be and how to get open." Had a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown.
Greg Sparks, 6'3", 250, DT, Shaker Heights, OH, University School
Myles Fish Jr., 6'1", 175, DB, Grand Haven, MI From Grand Haven head coach Steve Horodyski, "We are excited for our players that get a chance play at the next level. Myles was on a team that put 4 players into the Gliac and of all of our players Myles was the best All Round player on both sides of the ball. He is much like some other players we have sent to Hillsdale (All time leading passer Bill Skelton, All GLIAC LB Rob North)... they work very hard, they are bright and put Team first."
Official Hillsdale List
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