by Betsy Peters, '10

Sometimes the fall seems to last forever in Michigan. This year it certainly did. The mass of Hillsdale students who flooded the southern half of Lubbers Stadium at Grand Valley State University this November could neither believe that it was 60 degrees outside one week away from Thanksgiving nor that the Chargers were on the field for their second NCAA football playoff game of the season. In Michigan, Hillsdale College students joke that they expect snow as early as Homecoming. This year, however, Homecoming brought quite a different surprise: a 27-24 victory over Grand Valley. November 21 brought Hillsdale the chance to play Grand Valley again. The Charger fans donned their white and followed the team north to Allendale.

Senior Brooke Olesen has noticed a definite change in Charger pride this semester. She has been really surprised with the attendance at the games: “I don't know if it’s just this amazing freshmen class, but it’s been so wonderful to see the stands full for every game! If my brothers taught me anything, it was that you never leave a game until the clock hits zero. I think other people at Hillsdale have definitely gone along with that theory this season!” Sophomore Ben Hayter agrees. “Our home crowd and student support was incredible this year, and I really think that it helped motivate the players. Of course it’s a two-way street; they played well so we responded, but we cheer them on and sometimes that helps them play better.”

Many dedicated Charger fans piled into a charter bus to travel to Minnesota for the first playoff game. Thanks to a generous gift to the College, Student Activities Director Rebekah Dell was able to offer transportation and tickets to students and staff for $25. Admissions receptionist Margaret Braman jumped at the offer. After riding all the way with the students, she explained, “I went to Minnesota because I did not want to miss one moment to cheer on our boys in the playoffs. I did ride the bus, and I would do it again in a minute. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” With a Hillsdale victory in Minnesota, the enthusiasm doubled for the second playoff game. According to Admissions counselor and 2009 grad Kyle Murnen: “Forget Ohio State vs. Michigan; the Chargers-Lakers rematch was a must-see.”

Though the game was two hours from Hillsdale, an estimated 1,100 Charger fans packed into the Grand Valley stands made it feel more like home. As the Hillsdale fans had purchased too many tickets to fit all in one section, they dotted the stadium with white clusters. Friends were everywhere. As Dr. Arnn threaded his way through the crowd, he stopped to chat with Dr. Conner and introduced two visiting high school students to a group of seniors on his right. Up in front, a group of track runners simultaneously cheered for the Chargers and for Ashley Quick when they received the news that she was named the first Hillsdale NCAA D-II All-American in women’s cross-country. The pep band played in the middle of it all.

While Grand Valley took the game with a 44-27 finish, the Charger fans celebrated an outstanding season, proudly sporting their white amidst all the black GVSU jerseys. At the end of an intense first half, freshman Travis Lacy was still smiling. “GVSU doesn’t understand why we are still happy. But we are. We are very happy.” After the game, Murnen was disappointed for the guys on the team, but, he noted, “I think the way they fought for all four quarters is really indicative of the high character and work ethic of the program.”

Returning back to Hillsdale on the bus after dark, Senior Shannon McCleary was very glad she went: “I traveled up north because our Chargers made history. We are one of the smallest D-II schools in the nation. We have never been to the playoffs. We beat the team that hadn't been beaten since 2006. They deserved every last student to cheer them on at that game. We made up cheers the entire bus ride there.” Olesen agreed: “Why wouldn’t someone have gone?”