Lakers Covet Elusive League Title

Thursday, July 28, 2005
By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press
SAGINAW -- Despite two NCAA Division II football championships and three national title game appearances since 2001, there is an elusive achievement that gnaws at Grand Valley State coach Chuck Martin.

Despite a 51-5 record over the last four years, the Great Lakes Conference crown that has not been worn in Allendale since 2002.

"We seem to get picked (to win the conference) each year, but we've only won it three of the last seven years," said Martin, whose Lakers received 11 of 13 preseason first-place votes from league coaches at Wednesday's GLIAC football media day.

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'Valley' rules in GLIAC football

Thursday, July 28, 2005
GREG MANCINA
THE SAGINAW NEWS
Findlay football coach Dan Simrell quoted Psalms on Wednesday during his turn at the podium during the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference media day at Saginaw Valley State University's Ryder Center.

Then he compared the "valley of death" with the "valleys of death" in the GLIAC -- Grand Valley, Saginaw Valley and Northwood, which he learned is in the Saginaw Valley area -- the top three choices in the preseason coaches poll.

"Well, you have to fear those teams," Simrell said.

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Incoming Kicker Accomplishes Rare Double Feat

It sounds like it has been quite a summer for Charger recruit Evan Muldoon. According to his blog, in June the incoming freshman attended a kicking camp in Oshkosh, WI exclusively for college kickers and punters. He was named the top kicker in camp after winning the field goal competition and performing well in the kickoff competition. To celebrate this achievement, Muldoon pulled off a rare double 1 month later by conquering the Lumberjack, a 42oz. steak at the Grill House in Allegan. He ate the steak in 12 minutes, gaining a spot on the Grill House's Wall of Fame while taking home the coveted free t-shirt!

As a former Charger, it is good to know that Hillsdale isn't bringing in some sissy kicker, but one willing to achieve such heights. Saga had better watch out!

GLIAC Coaches Pick Chargers 8th

Yesterday was the annual media luncheon for the GLIAC football coaches. They all voted and for what it is worth, here is the 2005 official pre-season poll. For some reason, it seems the Chargers always get picked 8th in the pre-season coaches' poll. Nothing changes this year with the predictable big 3 at the top, but the voting was the closest in years.

Place	School	#1 Votes	Points
1.	Grand Valley	11	143
2.	Northwood	1	129
3.	Saginaw Valley	1	127
4.	Michigan Tech		99
5.	Ferris State		95
6.	Findlay		87
7.	Ashland		80
8.	Hillsdale		62
9.	Indianapolis		52
10.	Mercyhurst		48
11.	Gannon		34
12.	Northern Michigan		31
13.	Wayne State		24

Legendary D1 AD Mike Lude to Enter Hillsdale Hall of Fame

Mike Lude, a 1947 graduate of Hillsdale will be inducted into the Hillsdale Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday October 9 when the Chargers host Grand Valley State. Lude was a lineman from Vicksburg after serving in the Marine Corps during WWII. After graduating, he began a long and distinguished career as a leader in the NCAA.

•Hillsdale assistant football coach and head baseball coach, 1947-1949
•Assistant football coach, University of Maine, helped engineer the Wing T offense with head coach Dave Nelson, 1949-1951
•Assistant football coach, University of Delaware, 1951-1962
•Head football coach, Colorado State University, 1962-1969
•Athletic Director, Kent State University, 1970-1976
•Athletic Director, University of Washington, 1976-1991
•Athletic Director, Aubern University, 1992-1994

Last year, Lude chronicled his life in an autobiography entitled, "Walking the Line". Visit his website to order or learn more about Mike.

Charger kicking coach Dr. John Wilson will also be inducted into the Hall on October 9. The retired history professor founded both the women's track and cross country programs at Hillsdale.

Charger Football Gallery Online at Flickr.com

Many, many thanks go out to Karen Martin for the great photos she shared of this past season. I would like to publicly appologize for being so slow with Karen's photos. but, thanks to her patience, I have a bunch scanned and posted now at my homepage on Flickr.com.

If you would like to help build the gallery, send me an email me.
If you take digital pictures, they are the easiest to share. If you have pictures, please send them!

I always try to make sure that my focus of Chargerblue.com remains on the guys wearing blue and white each Fall Saturday. It is my hope that they enjoy the galleries as much as the fans do.

Skelton Making Most of UIFL Pro Opportunity

Reggie Hays
Fortwayne.com
July 15, 2005

The insurance policy arrived in the Fort Wayne Freedom’s locker room by luck or fate. Take your pick.

Bill Skelton came to Fort Wayne to teach and coach, and interviewed at South Side High School.

While Skelton ultimately took a teaching position at New Haven, he left an impression with South football coach Matt Land.

So when the Freedom needed an emergency backup last season, Land, the Freedom’s offensive coordinator, called Skelton.

When the Freedom needed a full-time backup quarterback, Land, now the Freedom’s head coach, called Skelton again.

When Freedom starter Bryan White suffered a possible season-ending shoulder injury, Skelton the insurance policy became Skelton the starter.

By luck or fate, Skelton will lead the Freedom into the playoffs this month.

Full article from News Sentinel | 07/15/2005 | Insuring victory