Hillsdale's Weatherhead gets late Cactus invite

Hillsdale College's Troy Weatherhead will get at least one more chance to wear the Charger bolts.

He received an invitation this week to play in the Division II All Star Cactus Bowl in Kingsville, TX. The game will be played at 8 EST on Friday night January 7.

Hillsdale

WZZM: West Catholic's Pittman says it's Hillsdale or Northwood

Grand Rapids West Catholic's Dan Pittman is WZZM 13's final scholar athlete of the year. In the piece, he says that his college decision is down to Northwood and Hillsdale. C'mon Dan! That should be a no brainer. Pick Hillsdale.

Sporting News: Hillsdale's Andre Holmes pre-draft buzz

For the second year in a row, legitimate NFL buzz is building around a Hillsdale College football player.

I found this blurb from the Sporting News on Andre Holmes' draft prospectus:

"Hillsdale College WR Andre Holmes jumped off the film last year when we were scouting Hillsdale OT Jared Veldheer, a third-round pick of the Raiders who already has become a solid NFL left tackle.

Holmes (6-4, 203) performed even better in '10, catching 104 passes for 1,368 yards and 11 touchdowns. Holmes is a tall receiver with explosive quickness and home-run speed who can turn short passes into big plays. He was more consistent in '10, making big plays in key situations.

He certainly will be at least a late-round pick, but he could fly up boards in the spring with some standout pre-draft workouts."


Read more.

The GLIAC President's Trophy: Rewarding nothing by mediocrity

Over on the D2football.com message board, an Ashland fan posted the current President's Trophy standings through the recently completed Fall sports seasons. When I saw that Hillsdale was ranked 7th in the conference after Football and Volleyball competed on the national stage on the same weekend and the cross-country teams turned in 3rd (women) and 4th (men) place finishes, I immediately knew something was fishy.

The standings are figured by awarding points for each team's GLIAC finish in its sport. The total points are then added and teams are ranked. It is an easy formula. The results just don't pass the eye test because the standings are all quantity and no weighting for quality.

Field a bunch of sports...even ones that are really bad and you will have a better rating than a school that fields fewer but better programs. This rewarding mediocrity at its finest.

Hillsdale is 47-7 in football (9-3), volleyball (29-2), women's basketball (8-2), and men's basketball (11-0, 7th in the country) this year with the GLIAC's 3rd and 4th place women's and men's XC teams yet only ranks 7th in these rankings.

Of course the basketball seasons are in progress and don't count toward the current rankings, but still, Hillsdale only had the 7th best Fall around the GLIAC?

I am going to put on the Charger mascot head and quote Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend."

Let's take the current standings on the left and then do an average per sport on the right to get the quality ranking not just the overall point accumulation to see if things change at all.

1. GV - 84.5 pts. (7 teams - 12.07 ave. - new ranking: #1, no change)
2. WSU - 63 pts. (6 teams - 10.5 ave. - new ranking: #3, -1 spot)
3. FSU - 62 pts. (7 teams - 8.85 ave. - new ranking: #4, -1 spot)
4. AU - 61 pts. (8 teams - 7.62 ave. - new ranking: #5, -1 spot)
5. SVSU - 48.5 pts. (8 teams - 6.06 ave. - new ranking: #8, -3 spots)
6. TU - 47 pts. (8 teams - 5.875 ave. - new ranking: #9, -3 spots)
7. HC - 45 pts. (4 teams - 11.25 ave. - new ranking: #2, +5 spots)
8. NU - 44 pts. (8 teams - 5.5 ave. - new ranking: #10, -2 spots)
9. UF - 40 pts. (8 teams - 5 ave. - new ranking: #11, -2 spots)
10. MTU - 37 pts. (6 teams - 6.16 ave. - new ranking: #7, +3 spots)
11. NMU - 36.5 pts. (5 teams - 7.3 ave. - new ranking: #6, +5 spots)
12. ODU - 29.5 pts. (6 teams - 4.92 ave. - new ranking: #12, no change)
13. LEC - 13 pts. (8 teams - 1.625 ave. - new ranking: #14, -1 spot)
14. LSSU - 12 pts. (5 teams - 2.4 ave. - new ranking: #13, +1 spot)

Now that makes a lot more sense. I am much prouder to support fewer good teams, than to have lots of teams that are just okay.

Brandon Misener, the founder of D2football.com and I were talking about the "balance" of Division II last night. D2 should not just be a participation level of athletics. You don't get any life lessons from sports if you don't face real rigor in their demands we agreed.

Awarding rankings points just for running a team out onto the field flies in the face of that rigor. It's like getting a bonus check for just walking into the office in the morning.

The President's trophy doesn't reflect anything more than the green field day "participant" ribbons. I don't care how many teams you can field. I only care about how good those teams are. Talk about rewarding mediocrity and the wussification of America! There couldn't be a clearer example.

Former Charger assistant Jeff Phelps added to U Minnesota staff

Jeff Phelps, former defensive line coach for Hillsdale College from 2003-2005, has been named to the University of Minnesota's new coaching staff.

Phelps left Hillsdale to join the coaching staff at Northern Illinois and served as defensive line coach for the last 5 season under Jerry Kill, a former Saginaw Valley assistant coach.

Kill was recently named the new head coach at Minnesota and is taking Phelps and a number of other assistants with him.

Doerfler brings home the McAvoy Award

There is not a GLIAC award that I am ever more proud to blog about than a Charger winning the Jack McAvoy Award because it embodies all Hillsdale strives for: character, service, and athletic excellence. It is named in honor of Hillsdale's beloved "Coach Mac" who was head football coach in the 1970's and long-time athletic director. Phil Doerfler, senior center for Hillsdale College is the 2010 recipient.

GLIAC release:

December 13, 2010 For Immediate Release
BAY CITY, Mich. -- Hillsdale College senior offensive lineman Phil Doerfler has been named recipient of the 2010 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Jack H. McAvoy Award as announced by Commissioner Dell Robinson.

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 Allen Park, Michigan, Doerfler has earned a 3.50 grade point average (4.0 scale) while majoring in biology with a biochemistry minor. He has been named to the GLIAC All- Academic football team three times and was a recipient of the “Scholar-Athlete” Award from the Michigan Chapter of the National FootballFoundation.

Doerfler was a recipient of HillsdaleCollege’s prestigious “Frank G. Brooks”Award for excellence in undergraduate research.

On the field, Doerfler was named a team captain for the 2010 season, earning first team All-GLIAC honors this season, after garnering All-GLIAC second team honors in 2009.

Doerfler helped the Chargers to consecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2009 and 2010. Hillsdale posted a 26-10 record in his 36 career starts.

“Phil embodies the essence of the true meaning of the word student-athlete,” stated GLIAC Commissioner, Dell Robinson. “He has definitely exemplified a standard of excellence for leadership, academics and athletics that is unmatched. The award speaks volumes to his hard work and commitment and we will look at him as one of our leaders of tomorrow.”

Doerfler has been a leader on the Hillsdale campus and in the Hillsdale community. He is a two-winner of the Hillsdale College football team’s “Urbanick” Award for leadership, scholarship and ability (2009, 2010). Doerfler is an avid volunteer, helping with the Hillsdale College Science Olympiad, as well as working a variety of charity events though his fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi, where he serves as his chapters’ Sergeant-at-Arms.

Doerfler becomes the second Hillsdale athlete to win the award, joining Mark Nicolet, who garnered the award in 2007. Ferris State has had the most recipients of the award (4), with Michigan Tech and Saginaw Valley State in second with two a piece.

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

Andre Holmes becomes second Charger in a row to make Texas Vs. Nation Game

Usually an invite to the Division II Cactus Bowl all-star game is big news among Hillsdale College football circles, and it was for a few minutes yesterday. Hillsdale College announced that senior wide receiver Andre Holmes had gotten the invite coveted by most D2 players.

It was only minutes later that Hillsdale issued another statement informing the public that Holmes would forego the January game in South Texas to play in a different Texas college all-star game.

Holmes, Hillsdale College's all-time leading receiver becomes the second Charger in a row to be invited to the Texas vs. the Nation game. Last season, Jared Veldheer's work at the showcase for pro hopefuls helped to propel him to a third round selection by the Oakland Raiders.

This year's game moves from El Paso to San Antonio and has been officially renamed to the NFLPA Game. The Players Association takes over sponsorship from the Pro Football Hall of Fame who had hosted the game for a number of years.

Last year Veldheer was just one of a handful of Division II players invited and it is likely that Holmes will be too this year. 31 game participants were drafted last season, with Veldheer being the first chosen.

In 2010 Andre Holmes caught 104 balls for 1368 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The game is scheduled for February 5. Get more information at the game's official website.

New Christmas stuff for Charger fans

Check out the newly added stuff perfect for making any Hillsdale fan's holiday happy. Trick out your iPad or your iPhone. Grab some aprons for your grill. Get kid stuff and hang up a new Charger stocking with care. Shop now.

Hillsdale's Holmes and Weatherhead named 2nd team All-Region

Seniors Wide Receiver Andre Holmes and Quarterback Troy Weatherhead were named to the 2nd team of the Daktronics All-Super Region 3 football team today.

DAKTRONICS SUPER REGION #3 FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

# Name POS HT WT YR HOMETOWN SCHOOL

65 Dan Schoen OL 6-1 267 Sr. Maple Grove, Minn. Augustana

14 Michael Ziola PK 5-10 155 Fr. Columbus, Neb. Chadron State

13 Clay Garcia QB 6-0 200 Jr. Alamosa, Colo. Colo. School of Mines

83 Robbin Vinnola TE 6-4 230 Sr. Arvada, Colo. Colo. School of Mines

55 *Cameron Bradfield OL 6-5 295 Sr. Grand Rapids, Mich. Grand Valley State

64 Matt Desotell OL 6-3 300 Sr. Green Bay, Wis. Michigan Tech

5 Phil Milbrath RB 5-9 200 Sr. Norway, Mich. Michigan Tech

11 *Isaac Odim RB 6-0 215 Sr. Rochester, Minn. Minnesota Duluth

10 D.J. Winfield RS 5-9 175 Jr. Mountain Iron, Minn. Minnesota Duluth

86 *Chad Shockley WR 6-0 205 Sr. St. James, Mo. Missouri S&T

78 Orion Matthies OL 6-7 335 Sr. Overton, Neb. Nebraska-Kearney

8 Fred Williams WR 6-0 195 Sr. Milwaukee, Wis. St. Cloud State

74 Joe Bundy OL 6-6 305 Sr. Madison, S.D. Wayne State (Neb.)



DAKTRONICS SUPER REGION #3 FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

# Name POS HT WT YR HOMETOWN SCHOOL

38 Kevin Berg P 6-0 185 Sr. Longmont, Colo. Chadron State

94 *Marc Schiechl DL 6-3 260 Sr. Lakewood, Colo. Colo. School of Mines

23 *Grant Crunkleton CB 5-10 180 Sr. Denver, Colo. Colorado St.-Pueblo

26 Lee Meisner LB 6-0 220 Jr. Sterling, Colo. Colorado St.-Pueblo

10 Denzell Blackmon CB 5-10 190 Fr. Chicago, Ill. Concordia-St. Paul

44 Matt Ryan LB 6-2 205 Sr. Howell, Mich. Ferris State

3 *Craig Ray S 6-1 205 Sr. Plainfield, Ind. Indianapolis

93 Todd Storm DL 6-3 230 Jr. Calumet, Mich. Michigan Tech

33 *Kiel Fechtelkotter LB 6-0 220 Sr. Lake Nebagamon, Wis. Minnesota Duluth

20 Travis Brisco LB 6-1 240 Sr. Columbus, Ohio Urbana

4 Daunte Akra DL 6-2 227 Sr. Detroit, Mich. Wayne St. (Mich.)

8 Jeremy Jones S 5-10 190 Jr. Grand Rapids, Mich. Wayne St. (Mich.)



* Top vote-getter at position (where multiple players are selected)



DAKTRONICS SUPER REGION #3 SECOND TEAM OFFENSE



# Name POS HT WT YR HOMETOWN SCHOOL

94 Gregg Berkshire PK 6-2 201 Jr. Ashland, Ohio Ashland

2 Joe Clark RB 5-7 188 Sr. Rochester, Minn. Augustana

51 Tim Hiett OL 6-1 260 Jr. Arvada, Colo. Chadron State

28 Jesse Lewis RB 5-6 178 Jr. Loveland, Colo. Colorado St.-Pueblo

11 Hayden Vavra TE 6-2 250 Sr. Cambridge, Minn. Concordia-St. Paul

70 Tyler Hendrickson OL 6-8 320 Jr. St. Paul, Minn. Concordia-St. Paul

2 Justin Johnson WR 5-11 185 Sr. San Diego, Calif. Fort Lewis

81 Andre Holmes WR 6-5 206 Sr. Elk Grove, Ill. Hillsdale

16 Troy Weatherhead QB 6-3 223 Sr. Grand Rapids, Mich. Hillsdale

74 Garth Heikkinen OL 6-2 290 So. Duluth, Minn. Minnesota Duluth

70 Jeremy Clark OL 6-4 313 Sr. Waukesha, Wis. Minnesota State

79 Joe Long OL 6-6 305 Jr. Lapeer, Mich. Wayne St. (Mich.)

5 Curtis Dewberry RS 5-8 185 Jr. Clermont, Fla. Winona State



DAKTRONICS SUPER REGION #3 SECOND TEAM DEFENSE



# Name POS HT WT YR HOMETOWN SCHOOL

24 James Ackel S 6-0 205 So. Riverside, Calif. Adams State

4 Rocco DeLorenzo LB 6-1 230 Jr. Arvada, Colo. Adams State

41 Chris Jansich LB 6-1 243 Sr. Sioux Falls, S.D. Augustana

32 Brody Scheff S 6-0 209 Jr. Waconia, Minn. Bemidji State

90 Rob Wills DL 6-3 262 Sr. Roseville, Minn. Bemidji State

16 Taylor Accardi P 6-2 200 So. Littleton, Colo. Colorado School of Mines

33 Trevor Glomski LB 6-2 240 Sr. Wabasha, Minn. Concordia-St. Paul

90 Zach Moore DL 6-6 260 So. Chicago, Ill. Concordia-St. Paul

43 Justin Victor LB 6-1 215 Sr. Allen Park, Mich. Grand Valley State

84 Mason Brodine DL 6-7 250 Sr. Elm Creek, Neb. Nebraska-Kearney

24 Arthur Hobbs S 5-11 180 Jr. San Diego, Calif. Nebraska-Kearney

20 Sam Kuck S 6-2 206 So. Central City, Neb. Nebraska-Kearney