Chargers Picked 9th in GLIAC. Yeah....big friggin' deal!

If it's the first of August, then 2 things are happening in my life. #1, I start gripping onto summer with white knuckles and gnashed teeth (all teachers experience this to some degree) and #2, GLIAC coaches convene to release a meaningless poll which completely writes Hillsdale off as also-rans. I try to avoid both afflictions as much as I can. But, here is what came out of Monday's media day. Props to Brad Monastiere at Hillsdale for linking Otter's speech at the event.

Hillsdale Press Release:

Charger football team picked 9th in GLIAC preseason coaches poll
July 30, 2007 - The Hillsdale College football team was picked to finish ninth in the 2007 GLIAC preseason coaches' poll, released Monday afternoon as part of the conference's football media day, held at the Bay Valley Resort, just outside of Saginaw.

The ninth-place projection was one spot lower than what Hillsdale had been picked in the preseason polls in 2005 and 2006. Hillsdale finished last season tied for seventh in the GLIAC with a 5-5 conference record. The Chargers received 61 voting points in this year's poll, 13 ahead of 10th-place Northern Michigan and 11 behind eighth-place Ashland University.

Two-time defending Division II national champion Grand Valley was once again picked by the GLIAC coaches for first place. The Lakers received 12 of a possible 13 first-place votes, with the remaining vote going to second-place Northwood.

Hillsdale does not play either Grand Valley or Northwood this season.

The media day was the final one for Gannon and Mercyhurst as part of the conference. Both schools are leaving the GLIAC to join the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in the fall of 2008. Tiffin University, wich will join the GLIAC also next fall, was represented at media day by its head coach and sports information director.

Hillsdale's 2007 season opens on Saturday, Sept. 1 with a home game against Gannon University at Muddy Waters Field.

Visit Hillsdale.edu for audio and full poll results.