Grand Valley State Lakers football, 1970–1979

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Grand Valley State Lakers football program, 1970–1979 represented Grand Valley State College (renamed Grand Valley State University in 1988) during the 1970s in NAIA and NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team was led by head coaches Rip Collins (1970–1972) and Jim Harkema (1973–1982).

ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1972–1979)
Headcoach
HomestadiumLubbers Stadium (1979–present)
Quick facts 1970–1979, Conference ...
1970–1979 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1972–1979)
Head coach
Home stadiumLubbers Stadium (1979–present)
Seasons
1980 →
Close

The team played its home games at Lubbers Stadium, named after former university president Arend Lubbers, located on GVSU's main campus in Allendale, Michigan.

1970

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1970 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–5
Head coach
  • Rip Collins (1st season)
Seasons
1971 →
Close

In 1970, Grand Valley State launched its football program with six non-varsity games.[1]

Rip Collins was hired in March 1970 as the school's first head football coach and an assistant professor of physical education. Collins had been on the faculty of Ottawa Hill High School since 1950.[2][3]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 5at Alma junior varsityAlma, MIL 6–21[4][5]
October 10at Ionia ReformatoryIonia, MIL
October 15Ferris State freshmenBig Rapids, MIW 20–12[6]
October 30at Oakland Community CollegeRochester, MIL 6–24
November 5at Ferris State freshmenSouth FieldL 7–14[7]
November 10at Central Michigan freshmenMount Pleasant, MIL 0–40[8]
Close

1971

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1971 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–7
Head coach
  • Rip Collins (2nd season)
Seasons
← 1970
1972 →
Close

The 1971 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1971 NAIA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Rip Collins, the Lakers compiled a 0–7 record and were outscored by a total of 338 to 27.[9]

The team inaugurated GVSU's varsity football history. Collins was the program's first head coach, and he had two assistants, Jim Scott and Riley Swinehart.[1]

In the team's first official game, the Lakers lost to Grand Rapids Junior College.[10] In their first game against rival Ferris State, the Lakers were defeated by a 57-0 score, the widest margin of victory to that date in Ferris State football history against a four-year school.[11]

The team did not have a home football field.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11at Grand Rapids
L 7–474,000[10]
September 18at Kalamazoo
L 7–42[12]
September 25at Chicago Circle
L 7–27[13]
October 2at AlmaAlma, MIL 0–31[14]
October 9at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 0–57[11]
October 23at FindlayFindlay, OHL 6–70[15]
November 13at HopeHolland, MIL 0–64[16]
Close

1972

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1972 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–6
Head coach
  • Rip Collins (3rd season)
Seasons
← 1971
1973 →
Close

The 1972 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State College (GVSC) as an independent during the 1972 NAIA Division II football season. In their third and final year under head coach Rip Collins, the Lakers compiled a 0–6 record and were outscored by a total of 199 to 71.[9]

Collins resigned as GVSC's head football coach at the end of the 1972 season. He retained his post as a professor of physical education. While Collins' 1970 won one junior varsity game in 1970, his teams lost 13 consecutive intercollegiate varsity games in 1971 and 1972.[17]

The Lakers played their first home game on their new football field on October 22, a loss against Findlay. The field was equipped with portable bleachers with the capacity to seat nearly 3,000 fans.[18]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at KalamazooKalamazoo, MIL 14–24
September 23at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 40–42
September 30at AlmaAlma, MIL 0–53
October 21FindlayAllendale, MIL 6–38
October 28at ManchesterNorth Manchester, INL 0–21
at Grand RapidsGrand Rapids, MIL 11–21
Close

1973

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1973 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record6–3 (0–2 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
Seasons
← 1972
1974 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1973 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Northwood $2–0–06–2–0
Ferris State1–1–04–4–1
Grand Valley State0–2–06–3–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Close

The 1973 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1973 NAIA Division II football season. In their first year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled a 6–3 record (0–2 in conference games), finished in last place out of three teams in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 259 to 120.[9]

Harkema, at age 30, was hired as the head football coach in January 1973 following the resignation of Rip Collins at the end of the 1972 season. Harkema had been a multisport athlete at Kalamazoo College, accumulating 10 varsity letters. He had most recently been an assistant football coach at Northern Illinois University.[19]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Kalamazoo*
W 27–142,300
September 22at Chicago Circle*Chicago, ILW 40–8[20]
September 29Alma*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
L 14–28
October 6Ferris State
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
L 13–17
October 13Grand Rapids*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 30–21
October 20at Findlay*Findlay, OHW 52–6
October 27Manchester*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 28–9
November 3at NorthwoodMidland, MIL 7–14
November 10at Adrian*Adrian, MIW 48–3
  • *Non-conference game
Close

1974

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1974 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record6–3 (1–2 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
Seasons
← 1973
1975 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1974 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Northwood +2–1–05–5–0
Ferris State +2–1–03–6–1
No. T–17 Grand Valley State1–2–06–3–0
Hillsdale1–2–06–3–1
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll
Close

The 1974 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1974 NAIA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled a 6–3 record (1–2 in conference games), tied for last place out of four teams in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 225 to 87.[9]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 14at Kalamazoo*Kalamazoo, MIW 28–12
September 28Alma*
W 7–0
October 5Ferris State
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
L 12–17
October 12Findlay*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 41–7
October 19at Grand Rapids*Grand Rapids, MIL 19–21
October 26at Manchester*North Manchester, INW 49–0
November 2Northwood
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
L 13–14
November 9Adrian*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 42–6
November 16at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIW 14–10
  • *Non-conference game
Close

1975

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1975 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record7–2–1 (3–1–1 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
Seasons
← 1974
1976 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1975 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wayne State (MI) $3–1–08–3–0
No. 15 Grand Valley State3–1–17–2–1
Northwood3–1–15–4–1
Hillsdale3–2–07–4–0
Saginaw Valley State1–3–03–7–0
Ferris State0–5–00–10–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll
Close

The 1975 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1975 NAIA Division II football season. In their third year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled a 7–2–1 record (3–1–1 in conference games), tied for second place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 264 to 96.[21]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 6at Wayne State (MI)
L 6–154,375[22]
September 13at Valparaiso*Valparaiso, INW 17–6
September 20Grand Rapids*
W 17–13
September 27Illinois Benedictine*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–6
October 4Northeastern Illinois*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 68–6
October 11at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIW 38–0
October 18Saginaw Valley State
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 32–5
October 25at NorthwoodMidland, MIT 7–7
November 1at No. 11 Northern Michigan*Marquette, MIL 17–214,002[23]
November 8Hillsdale
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–17
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Close

1976

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1976 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record8–2 (3–2 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
Seasons
← 1975
1977 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1976 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 15 Northwood $4–1–05–2–1
No. 7 Grand Valley State3–2–08–2–0
Wayne State (MI)3–2–06–2–0
Ferris State3–2–05–5–0
Hillsdale2–3–05–5–0
Saginaw Valley State0–5–03–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll
Close

The 1976 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1976 NAIA Division I football season. In their fourth year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled an 8–2 record (3–2 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for second place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 194 to 131.[21]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11at Grand Rapids*Grand Rapids, MIW 23–74,000
September 18at Michigan Tech*Houghton, MIW 10–84,000
September 25at Franklin (IN)*Franklin, INW 31–271,200
October 2at Northeastern Illinois*Chicago, ILW 26–0300
October 9Ferris State
L 23–261,750
October 16at Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MIW 17–62,000
October 23at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIW 16–33,000
October 30Northwood
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
L 14–401,200
November 6Wayne State (MI)
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 3–01,900[24]
November 13Northern Michigan*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–143,800
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[25]

1977

Quick facts GLIAC champion, Conference ...
1977 Grand Valley State Lakers football
GLIAC champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record7–3 (4–1 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1977 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 18 Grand Valley State $4–1–07–3–0
Wayne State (MI)3–2–07–4–0
Hillsdale2–3–06–4–0
Northwood2–3–05–4–0
Saginaw Valley State2–3–06–5–0
Ferris State2–3–03–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll
Close

The 1977 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1977 NAIA Division I football season. In their fifth year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled a 7–3 record (4–1 in conference games), won the GLIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 212 to 128.[21]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 10vs. Bowling Green*
L 6–172,869[26]
September 17Michigan Tech*
L 6–101,026
September 24Franklin (IN)*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 41–35726
October 1at Northeastern Illinois*Chicago, ILW 34–12220
October 8at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 7–119,000
October 15Saginaw Valley State
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 41–141,508
October 22Defiance*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 24–01,131
October 29at NorthwoodMidland, MIW 16–62,750
November 5Hillsdale
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–201,968
November 12at Wayne State (MI)
W 6–33,748[27]
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[28]

1978

Quick facts GLIAC champion, NAIA Division I semifinal, L 7–13 at Elon ...
1978 Grand Valley State Lakers football
GLIAC champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record9–3 (5–0 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
Seasons
← 1977
1979 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1978 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 4 Grand Valley State $^5–0–09–3–0
Wayne State (MI)4–1–05–4–0
Northwood2–3–05–4–0
Saginaw Valley State1–3–14–5–1
Ferris State1–3–13–5–2
Hillsdale1–4–05–6–0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll
Close

The 1978 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1978 NAIA Division I football season. In their sixth year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled a 9–3 record (5–0 in conference games), won the GLIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 333 to 229.[21] They advanced to the NAIA Division I playoffs, defeating Wisconsin–La Crosse in the quarterfinals before losing to Elon in the semifinals.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 9Northeastern Illinois*
W 34–7856
September 16at Northern Michigan*Marquette, MIL 22–499,062
September 23at Bowling Green*
L 3–4914,846[29]
September 30at Franklin (IN)*Franklin, INW 62–19527[30]
October 7Ferris State
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 38–141,415–1,491[31]
October 14at Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MIW 24–142,039–2,250[32]
October 21Central State (OH)*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–121,569
October 28Northwooddagger
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 36–71,527[33]
November 4at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIW 28–212,300[34]
November 11Wayne State (MI)
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 24–142,382[35]
December 2at Wisconsin–La Crosse*
W 24–142,150[36]
December 9at Elon*
L 7–13[37][38]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

[39]

1979

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1979 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record4–5 (2–3 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLubbers Stadium
Seasons
← 1978
1980 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1979 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 8 Saginaw Valley State $^4–0–18–2–1
Wayne State (MI)3–1–13–5–1
Ferris State3–2–05–4–1
Grand Valley State2–3–04–5–0
Northwood1–4–05–4–0
Hillsdale1–4–03–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll
Close

The 1979 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1979 NAIA Division I football season. In their seventh year under head coach Jim Harkema, the Lakers compiled a 4–5 record (2–3 in conference games), finished in fourth place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 215 to 182.[21]

The team played its home games at the new Lubbers Stadium.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Northern Michigan*
L 14–414,854
September 22at Northeastern Illinois*Chicago, ILW 48–7200
September 29Franklin (IN)*
  • Lubbers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 56–143,853
October 6at Wayne State (MI)
L 14–173,000
October 13at Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MIL 24–321,125
October 20at Western Michigan*
L 0–3714,500[40]
October 27Hillsdale
  • Lubbers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 28–63,174
November 3at NorthwoodMidland, MIW 22–141,800
November 10Ferris State
  • Lubbers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
L 9–143,209
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[41]

References

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