Tradition • Character • Service

Tradition • Character • Service

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Veldheer Family Shares its 2007 Season Pictures

Many thanks to Jim and Mary Veldheer for making their fan photos from the past season available to Charger fans everywhere. Just visit their page on SmugMug to view this great shot and several other from this past season.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Rockin the Dale back in the day

Mock Rock 1985: Sigma Chi House does Rebel Yell

Recruiting: Anthony Mifsud

Chargerblue.com Note: Anthony Mifsud is the son of former Charger Dave Mifsud. Dave previously held the Hillsdale Single Season Receiving Touchdown Record before Aaron Waldie broke that record this fall.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007
College football: Recruiting
Dearborn quarterback learns value of patience
Tom Markowski / The Detroit News

DEARBORN -- Finding the right college is more complicated than Anthony Mifsud first thought.

Mifsud, named The Detroit News Dream team quarterback last season, led Dearborn to the Division 2 semifinals as a junior and to the regional finals last season.

With his high school football career behind him, Mifsud is anxious to make the jump to college.

His next step is to find the program that's a good fit not only athletically but academically. To do this patience has become a must.

"It's crazy," said Mifsud, who has a 4.0 grade-point average and scored a 29 on the ACT. This week, he also will have completed the second of two college courses he enrolled in this semester.

"When I think about it, I don't like the way it's done. But I understand they have to get the best players possible.

"I'm trying to enjoy it. I know, once it's over and I've made my decision, I'll be relieved."

Two weeks ago Mifsud, took an unofficial visit to Hillsdale College. The beginning of the dead period for recruiting began Monday (Dec. 17), so Mifsud's recruiting has been put temporarily on hold. He has one official visit scheduled for Jan. 12, but even that is subject to change. Princeton has offered him an official visit that weekend, but it's possible Mifsud will take an official visit to Villanova or, possibly, Richmond that weekend. The coaching staff from Davidson has expressed an interest in Mifsud and there's a chance he'll take an official visit in mid-January, but a date has not been set.

Other schools that have been in contact with Mifsud include Holy Cross and a few Division II schools like Grand Valley State.

It's common for Division II schools to wait until mid- to late January to offer recruits scholarships. Coaches at these schools are often put on hold by recruits who are holding out in hopes of gaining a scholarship offer from Division I schools.

It's like a recruiting waterfall. The best are scooped up by schools like Michigan and Michigan State. Further down are mid-major schools like Central Michigan and then Division I-AA, Division II and Division III.

Signing day is Feb. 6, so there's no reason to push the panic button.

Nevertheless Christmas at the Mifsuds won't be as relaxing as they had planned.

Mifsud remains confident an offer will come. Until then, he'll continue on with his classes and playing varsity basketball.

"I spoke with coaches from Villanova last week," Mifsud said. "And they might want me to visit on the 12th (of January). That might put me in a bad spot. I won't be able to go to both."

These are the decisions he will surely make after conversations with his family over the holidays.

You can reach Tom Markowski at (313) 223-4633 or tom.markowski@detnews.com.

Monday, December 17, 2007

AP Little All American Team

AP's Little AllAmerica football squad
Dec 13 2007 1:06PM
Associated Press
AP's Little All-America Football squad

FIRST TEAM Offense Quarterback David Knighton, junior, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Harding.

Running backs Xavier Omon, senior, 5-11, 220, Northwest Missouri State; Danny Woodhead, senior, 5-9, 200, Chadron State.

Wide receivers Weston Dressler, senior, 5-8, 164, North Dakota; Almonzo Banks, senior, 6-2, 220, West Liberty State.

Tight end Kolo Kapanui, senior, 6-5, 255, West Texas A&M Linemen Ben Hochstein, senior, 6-4, 298, Nebraska-Omaha; Heath Benedict, junior, 6-6, 320, Newberry; Brandon Barnes, senior, 6-2, 322, Grand Valley State; Mackenzy Bernadeau, senior, 6-4, 303, Bentley; Tim McCutcheon, senior, 6-4, 305, California, Pa.

All-purpose player Ashton Gronewold, senior, 5-10, 190, Missouri-Rolla.

Kicker Jared Guberman, junior, 5-10, 190, West Georgia.

Defense Linemen Brandon Swain, junior, 6-4, 255, West Texas A&M; Curtis Johnson, senior, 6-3, 245, Clark Atlanta; Kurt Kissner, senior, 6-3, 245, Mesa State; Bryan Robinson, senior, 6-3, 292, Wesley.

Linebackers Michael Eubanks, senior, 6-2, 225, Delta State; Jerrell Freeman, senior, 6-2, 205, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Anthony Adams, senior, 6-2, 240, Grand Valley State.

Defensive backs Randy Kush, junior, 5-10, 189, Nebraska-Omaha; Cary Williams, senior, 6-2, 190, Washburn; Kendall Ricketts, senior, 5-10, 190, Central Missouri; Matt Kostelnik, senior, 6-1, 198, Mount Union.

Punter Michael Podobnik, junior, 6-0, 230, ArKansas Tech.

SECOND TEAM Offense Quarterback Mark Nicolet, senior, Hillsdale.

Running backs Bernard Scott, junior, Abilene Christian; Justin Beaver, senior, Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Wide receivers Scott Peters, senior, Winona State; Cedric Jones, sophomore, Valdosta State.

Linemen Brandon Bennett, senior, Williamette; Derek Blanchard, senior, Mount Union; Tony Burson, senior, Midwestern State; Vince Cashdollar, senior, Ashland; Christian Morton, senior, South Dakota.

Tight end Mike Peterson, senior, Northwest Missouri State.

All-purpose player De'Audra Dix, senior, Johnson C. Smith.

Kicker Tyler Lorenz, sophomore, California, Pa.

Defense Linemen Louis Ellis, junior, Shaw; Mike Czerwien, senior, Waynesburg; Jake Visser, junior, Ferris State; Dan Skutta, junior, Grand Valley State Linebackers Jared Brock, junior, West Texas A&M; Lateef Ferguson, senior, West Chester; Adrian Pynenberg, senior, Wabash.

Defensive backs Ranardrick Phillips, senior, Tarleton State; Brandon Carr, senior, Grand Valley State; Brandon Carr, senior, Bethel; Sherard Reynolds, junior, Valdosta State.

Punter Alex Groh, sophomore, Occidental.

THIRD TEAM Offense Quarterback Greg Micheli, junior, Mount Union.

Running backs Nate Kmic, junior, Mount Union; Devron Wallace, senior, Shepherd.

Wide receivers Elfren Quiles, senior, Kutztown; Jake Allen, senior, Mississippi College.

Tight end Bryan Bergman, senior, Carthage.

Linemen Caleb Woodall, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Reid Kirby, junior, Northwest Missouri State; Patrick Gildea, senior, Southern Connecticut; J.D. Whited, senior, North Alabama; Brennan Fortune, senior, St. John Fisher.

All-purpose player Tyler Sherden, senior, Luther.

Kicker Jeff Schebler, sophomore, Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Defense Linemen Don Miller, senior, Alfred; Ron Ellington, senior, Catawba; Kirby Griffin, junior, California, Pa.; Pat McCullough, senior, Mount Union.

Linebackers Will Clewis, senior, Central Oklahoma; Kyle Follweiler, senior, Wilkes; Jared Erspamer, senior, Northwest Missouri State.

Defensive backs Nick Weber, senior, Wartburg; Clay Hamblen, senior, Georgetown, Ky.; Broderick Mondy, senior, Northeastern State; Chris hemphill, senior, Central Washington.

Punter Brandon Larkin, senior, Clark Atlanta.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-13-07 1255CST

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Nicolet 2nd Team Daktronics All American

Hillsdale senior quarterback Mark Nicolet continues to collect hardware. He was named as the 2nd team quarterback on the Daktronics annual division II All American team. The team is elected by division II sports information directors

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Mark Nicolet Brings Home McAvoy Award

First Charger Honored with Trophy Named for Hillsdale Legend Jack McAvoy

GLIAC Release, 12-11-07

Hillsdale College senior quarterback Mark Nicolet has been named recipient of the 2007 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Jack H. McAvoy Award as announced by Commissioner Tom Brown.

The award is presented annually to the GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

A native of Zionsville, Indiana, Nicolet has earned a 3.6 grade point average (4.0 scale) while majoring in Financial Management. He has been named to the GLIAC All-Academic football team three times and is a four-time member of the Hillsdale College Dean’s List.

This past season, Nicolet was a semifinalist for the Draddy Award, which is presented to the nation’s most outstanding college football student-athlete. Off the field, Nicolet is the leader of Hillsdale’s chapter of Athletes in Action and has served as the scholarship chairman of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received the Jeff H. and Lis L. Coors Scholarship, which goes to the Hillsdale College student-athlete with
outstanding moral values, strong Christian leadership, active participation in church and involvement in Christian youth groups on campus.

On the field, Nicolet posted a record-setting season in 2007. He broke seven school records en route to leading Hillsdale to its best record this decade (8-3). Nicolet threw for a school-record 426 yards in a 49-28 win over Ashland University. Two weeks later, Nicolet shattered a long-standing school record when he completed 34 passes in a 37-0 home win over Michigan Technological University. He would go on to setsingle-season school records for completions (240), passing yards (3,335) and passing touchdowns (31). His 3,145 passing yards in GLIAC games also broke the conference record for passing yards in one season.

The two-time team captain was named the GLIAC Player of the Year for his efforts as well as earning Daktronics First-Team All-Region accolades.

“This award recognizes the accomplishments of our well rounded student-athletes,” stated Commissioner Brown. “The McAvoy Award is not just given on the basis of athletic ability, but is given to a student-athlete who has performed well in the classroom and has a strong sense of community involvement. Mark Nicolet is a shining example of the 4,000 quality student-athletes we have in the GLIAC.”

Nicolet becomes the first Hillsdale College player to earn the McAvoy Award. The Award is named for former Hillsdale College director of athletics and head football coach, Jack McAvoy, who was instrumental in the founding the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), now known as the GLIAC.


2007 Mark Nicolet, Hillsdale
2006 Mike Klobucher, Ferris State
2005 Matthew Shem, Northern Michigan
2004 Neil Baumgartner, Saginaw Valley State
2003 Josh Sherko, Northern Michigan
Scott Stuible, Northwood
2002 Jason Battershell, Saginaw Valley State
2001 Chris Volz, Indianapolis
2000 Alex Kowalski, Michigan Tech
1999 Mo Harris, Ferris State
1998 Jeff Fox, Grand Valley State
1997 Matt Fishburn, Wayne State
Eric Tree, Michigan Tech
1996 Chris Pulliams, Ferris State
Jack H. McAvoy Award Winners

Friday, December 07, 2007

Riepma Steps Down as Northwood Coach, Remains AD

Northwood University Release:

MIDLAND, MICH. - The Northwood University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the resignation of Head Football Coach Pat Riepma. The University has promoted Mike Sullivan to the role of Head Football Coach.

Riepma will maintain his role as Athletic Director, a title he has held since November of 2000.

"I am very appreciative to Northwood for the opportunity to coach for 15 years," said Riepma. "I have been blessed to experience relationships with some excellent coaches and terrific student-athletes."

Having just completed his 15th year as head coach of the Northwood football program, Riepma turned Northwood into one of the elite programs in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Northwood has won three GLIAC Championships over the past nine seasons while earning four NCAA Division II Playoff bids.

Riepma was named Northwood’s head coach prior to the 1993 season. With his program in place, the Timberwolves took off in the 1998 season. Over the final 10 seasons of his coaching career, Northwood posted a record of 74-34 (.685).

A look at the Northwood record book shows the level of success the Timberwolves have achieved under Riepma, who holds virtually every coaching record at Northwood. He currently ranks first in career victories (90), career-winning percentage (.566), wins in a season (10), and points in a season (483).

Full Release

Monday, December 03, 2007

Nicolet, Vanover Head to Cactus Bowl D2 All Star Game

Nicolet, Vanover selected to play in 2008 Cactus Bowl

Hillsdale College Release

December 3, 2007 - Hillsdale College senior football players Mark Nicolet and Matt Vanover have been selected to play in the 2008 Cactus Bowl, the Division II Football "all-star game." news story image

The game will be played on Friday, Jan. 11 in Kingsville, Texas, at Javalina Stadium with a 6:35 p.m. local time kickoff.

This marks the first time two Hillsdale players will participate in the game. Keith Recker played in the 2006 Cactus Bowl, and offensive lineman Silas Johnson played in the 2003 game from Hillsdale.

The honor is just the latest in an award-filled season for both news story imageNicolet and Vanover. Each player was named First-Team All-GLIAC and First-Team All-Region. Nicolet was the 2007 GLIAC Player of the Year, while Vanover set a GLIAC record with a punting average of 43.4 this season.

The Cactus Bowl is one of the primary stops for NFL scouts. Nicolet and Vanover will suit up for the East Team in the game.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Awrey out at Saginaw Valley




From GoErie.com

GLIAC football power Saginaw Valley State fired coach Randy Awrey and will voluntarily reduce its scholarship count for two years and forfeit conference wins after determining it had committed NCAA rules violations in 2005 and this past season.

Saginaw submitted a report to the NCAA Friday after an investigation by an independent auditing firm and outside legal counsel revealed level one secondary violations.

Saginaw will give up two scholarships each of the next two seasons. The program also will vacate any GLIAC wins in which two ineligible players participated.

Awrey's contract was set to expire Dec. 31.


Chargerblue.com Note: Hillsdale adds a win to the 2005 record as both Bob and Tony Awrey played in the September 24, 2005 game at Hillsdale.

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