GVSU football tight end Nick Keizer named First Team All-American

The Grand Valley State football season ended rather suddenly—and controversially—in early November, but that hasn’t stopped the news surrounding the Division II football landscape.

One Laker who stood out above the pack during the 2017 campaign was senior tight end Nick Keizer, who was named a 2017 D2Football.com First Team All-American on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

Keizer led all GLIAC tight ends in receptions (29), receiving yards (504) and touchdown catches (nine) while leading the nation in yards per catch (17.4) for tight ends. Twenty-two of his receptions resulted in a first down. Among all receivers in the GLIAC, Keizer ranked second in touchdown catches and 10th in total receptions. 

Along with his All-American accolade, Keizer’s successful senior year also earned him 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-American and a GLIAC Commissioner’s Award honoree.

Although Keizer will not be a member of next year’s team, the Lakers have plenty of time to prepare for their comeback next season.  

GVSU lacrosse makes top-25 rankings in preseason coaches poll

Although the winter season is still sticking around for (hopefully) just another month, the preparation for spring sports hasn’t stopped for this year’s Grand Valley State women’s lacrosse team. 

After falling short in the GLIAC Tournament Championship match last year, the team has been hard at work to avenge last year’s ending.

That preparation has brought a great amount of hype revolving around the team, as they were recently ranked No. 21 in The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) preseason coaches’ poll, which was released Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The season is looking bright for the Lakers, as they will have 13 seniors leading this year’s team. They will also have returning senior midfielder Meghan Datema, who led last year’s team with 44 goals. 

The Lakers are one of three GLIAC schools that were represented in the top 25, including McKendree (No. 20) and Indianapolis (No. 24).

GVSU will open its season against Kutztown University on Saturday, March 3, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. 

Former GVSU women’s rugby coach to be honored at Celebration of Women in Sport and Physical Activity

As an annual tradition, Grand Valley State Athletics will host the Celebrating Women in Sport and Physical Activity on Saturday, Feb. 10, in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.

One honoree is Bob Richthammer, who has helped countless high school students earn scholarships to play rugby in college. He also helped establish GVSU’s women’s rugby club team as a national powerhouse. 

When he moved to West Michigan in 2004, Richthammer was asked to coach GVSU’s women’s club team that had two seasons under its belt. With current coach Abe Cohen, Richthammer established the team as one that consistently competes for the national title.