Janel Burgess steps down as WBB coach

On Thursday, May 28, the Grand Valley State athletic director announced that head women’s basketball coach Janel Burgess had resigned effective immediately. Burgess posted a 137-84 record over an eight-year career at GVSU. The Lakers notched a 20-8 record in Burgess’ final season.

Burgess made NCAA Division II national tournament appearances in the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons and guided the Lakers to six GLIAC tournament berths. Burgess’ career .620 winning percentage is the fourth-best mark in program history.

GVSU will return four starters next season, including All-GLIAC performers Kayla Dawson and Brionna Barnett.

Women’s T&F named USTFCCCA Program of the Year

The Grand Valley State women’s track & field squad earned the Jerry Baltes Division II Women’s Program of the Year award, recognizing the program’s success in cross county and indoor and outdoor track & field. The U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association presented the award, named for current GVSU head coach Jerry Baltes, on May 28.

The Lakers beat out GLIAC foe Hillsdale and Adams State for the award. It is the sixth time in the past seven seasons that GVSU has won the award. A second place finish in 2014-15 is the lone exception.

Two lacrosse players named to IWLCA North-South Game

Following successful careers, Grand Valley State women’s lacrosse seniors Brooke Ingraham and Alyssa Neumen were named as participants in the 2015 IWLCA Division II North-South All-Star Game on June 16 as members of the North team.

The game recognized the top senior players in the North and South regions in Division II.

Ingraham, a 2015 All-GLIAC Second Team selection, tallied 27 goals and 13 assists last season. The Rochester Hills, Michigan native started all four years at GVSU and ranks fourth in total points (126) in GVSU history.

Neumen, a three-time GLIAC Defender of the Year, was named to the All-GLIAC First Team, All-GLIAC Tournament Team, the IWLCA All-North Region Second Team and the IWLCA All-America Third Team in 2015. Neumen spearheaded GVSU’s top-ranked GLIAC defense, allowing just 7.32 goals per game.

GVSU snags 2015 GLIAC Presidents’ Trophy

Thanks to a number of GLIAC titles, Grand Valley State has been tabbed as the winner of the 2015 GLIAC Presidents’ Trophy. The Lakers won 12 total conference championships: Soccer, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Volleyball, Men’s Indoor Track & Field, Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Men’s Swimming and Diving, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field, Women’s Golf, Lacrosse and Baseball.

GVSU has won the GLIAC Presidents’ Trophy 17 consecutive times.

GVSU MBB 2015-2016 schedule announced

The Grand Valley State men’s basketball released its schedule May 29. Of the 28 games scheduled, the Lakers will play 16 at home, including the first seven regular season games. The stretch is the longest season-opening homestand in program history.

The Lakers tip off their season again with the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge. GVSU will be pitted against Quincy (Nov. 14) before going head-to-head with Missouri-St. Louis (Nov. 15).

GVSU is slated to play 22 conference games. The Lakers will face each GLIAC South Division foe once and compete in a home-and-home series with North Division teams.