Semester-in-Review: Sports

Former Laker makes NFL debut

Zack Goodrow

Courtesy of The Kansas City Star

Grand Valley State University is scarcely represented in the National Football League. There are a couple of players — linebacker Matthew Judon with the Baltimore Ravens and cornerback Brandon Carr with the Dallas Cowboys — who played football in college as a Laker. This year, there is a new name in the NFL who used to don the GVSU blue and white. (To read the rest, click here!)

Alex Tholes follows his father’s footsteps with GV Football commitment 

Zack Goodrow

Courtesy of South County News

The state of Grand Valley State University’s 2020 football season is still on hiatus, but it hasn’t stopped the team from recruiting new players for the future. One of these new players, Schoolcraft High School quarterback Alex Thole, has committed to GVSU for the 2021 season. Thole has been a dynamic QB during his high school career so far. He was a first team pick for all-state last year as he threw 38 touchdowns with 2,999 yards. (To read the rest, click here!)

Fans weigh in on barren fall sports season at GV

Zack Goodrow

There is little doubt that the fall 2020 semester at Grand Valley State University has felt foreign to many students and teachers. With many classes online and social distancing limiting students’ ability to meet and converse, it doesn’t even feel like a normal semester at college. (To read the rest, click here!)

“It’s a continuous movement:” GV Basketball’s Christian Negron talks BLM, NBA activism and the fight for police reform

Kellen Voss

GVL / Meghan Landgren

When a video of Wisconsin man Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by police rekindled national protests, Grand Valley State basketball player Christian Negron was appalled, but not shocked, by the way police officers treated the man trying to de-escalate a fight. (To read the rest, click here.)

GVSU Football reacts to Black Lives Matter protests, getting closer in tough times, and possibly playing in an empty stadium in the Fall

Kellen Voss

Matt Mitchell looks at the crowd in the season opener against Edinboro in 2019 (Courtesy of gvsulakers.com)

When Grand Valley State Football coach Matt Mitchell saw the video of George Floyd being killed at the hands of Derek Chauvin and the three officers who watched it happen, he was shocked, disgusted and appalled. (To read the rest, click here.)

Coaches of GV: Ric Wesley

Kellen Voss

GVL / Kevin Sielaff

Ironically for a man who has been leading teams since the late 70s, Grand Valley State men’s basketball coach Ric Wesley said one of the best days of his life was the day he was cut from Central Michigan’s baseball team. (To read the rest, click here!)

Coaches of GV: Jeff Hosler

Josh Carlson

GVL/Kevin Sielaff

Starting at a young age, Grand Valley State University’s women’s soccer head coach Jeff Hosler has seen what it takes to be a coach not only on the pitch but also off of it. (To read the rest, click here!)

Ava Cook remains motivated despite no fall soccer season

Josh Carlson

GVL Katherine Vasile

Ava Cook was coming off a historic junior season for the Grand Valley State University Lakers, one that every athlete works hard for in the off-season. (To read the rest, click here!)

Mitchell reflects on GV football all-time rusher, Martayveus “Marty” Carter’s legacy

Holly Bihlman

GVL/Emily Frye

Martayveus “Marty” Carter, a Grand Valley State University football alum, is still the all-time rusher in GVSU football history three years later. The summer before his senior year in 2018, Carter was involved in a shooting in East Chicago that paralyzed him. Carter’s legacy at GVSU is still held by his record of 1,908 rushing yards in 2016 and 298 yards in a single game on 20 carries. (To read the rest, click here!)

Women’s sports trailblazer honored with Wall of National Championships

Holly Bihlman

Courtesy of GVSU

A leader and advocate for women’s sports since the opening of Grand Valley State University in 1964, Joan Boand’s legacy was commemorated with a Wall of National Championships in the GVSU Fieldhouse. On Oct. 17, a small ceremony was held in her honor for the reveal of the wall, in which Boand and a few other members of the GVSU athletics program attended. There are few members of the GVSU community that know her today, but what she has done in her career for women will never be forgotten. (To read the rest, click here!)