GV claims Presidents’ Trophy and Directors’ Cup for 2016-17 school year

Grand Valley State varsity Athletics are no stranger to success, and the entire department was recognized for its accomplishments by earning the Learfield Directors’ Cup and GLIAC Presidents’ Trophy for the 2016-17 school year.

The Learfield Directors’ Cup recognizes the best athletic program in Division II. The Lakers totaled 1,020 points to capture their 12th Directors’ Cup in program history, making it the fourth consecutive season GVSU has earned the award.

The Laker women accounted for 625.5 points, while the men earned the remaining 469.5.

GVSU also claimed the GLIAC Presidents’ Cup, which recognizes the best program in general sports excellence in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This is the 19th consecutive time the Lakers have claimed the award and the 24th in school history.

The Lakers earned 218.5 total points, finishing considerably ahead of runner-up Ashland (153.0). The GVSU men accounted for 94.5 points, while the women earned the remaining 124.0.

Former GV football running back opens chiropractic therapy practice

Sports can be an outlet for players to develop life-long skills and lessons that can be applied throughout the course of their life.

One Grand Valley State alumnus and former athlete Aaron Shakarian used his athletic background to pursue his dream of opening a chiropractic practice called “The Joint” in Arizona.

Shakarian attended GVSU from 1992 to1995 and played running back under former GVSU head coach Brian Kelly, who now coaches at Notre Dame University.

In an interview with the Ahwatukee Foothills News, Shakarian said he “wouldn’t have made it” as an athlete if it weren’t for the help of chiropractic therapy.

Throughout his career, Shakarian has worked with professional and olympic athletes, celebrities and even the performers on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

Several GV club sports announce official tryout times

Grand Valley State Athletics are known for their dominance in Division II collegiate play. But for incoming students interested in playing a sport, joining a GVSU varsity team may be too difficult or competitive.

Luckily for those interested, GVSU club sports offers the opportunity for students to compete at a high level. The club women’s volleyball team and men’s ice hockey team (Division II and III) have announced tryout times for students interested.

GVSU’s club volleyball team, which finished 36-4-3 last season, is holding a mandatory informational meeting Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 9:30 p.m. at the Fieldhouse Arena. After the meeting, the team will hold a three-day tryout Sunday, Sept. 17, through Tuesday, Sept. 19, at GVSU’s Recreation Center. Attendance for all three days is required.

The men’s club ice hockey team, which finished 23-4-3 last season, will begin its tryout process Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Ice Center. The team will hold various games throughout that period to determine which players will be on the Division II team and Division III team.

For more information, check out www.gvsuclubsports.com.