Grand Valley State Lakers football, 1970–1979

1970–1979 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1972–1979)
Head coach
Home stadiumLubbers Stadium (1979–present)

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).

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

1970 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–5
Head coach
  • Rip Collins (1st season)

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

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

Schedule

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]

1971

1971 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–7
Head coach
  • Rip Collins (2nd season)

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

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]

1972

1972 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–6
Head coach
  • Rip Collins (3rd season)

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

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

1973

1973 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record6–3 (0–2 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
1973 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Northwood $ 2 – 0 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Ferris State 1 – 1 – 0 4 – 4 – 1
Grand Valley State 0 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions

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

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Kalamazoo*
W 27–142,300
September 22at Chicago Circle*Chicago, ILW 40–8
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

1974

1974 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record6–3 (1–2 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
1974 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Northwood + 2 – 1 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Ferris State + 2 – 1 – 0 3 – 6 – 1
No. T–17 Grand Valley State 1 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Hillsdale 1 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 1
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll

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

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

1975

1975 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record7–2–1 (3–1–1 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
1975 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Wayne State (MI) $ 3 – 1 – 0 8 – 3 – 0
No. 15 Grand Valley State 3 – 1 – 1 7 – 2 – 1
Northwood 3 – 1 – 1 5 – 4 – 1
Hillsdale 3 – 2 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Saginaw Valley State 1 – 3 – 0 3 – 7 – 0
Ferris State 0 – 5 – 0 0 – 10 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll

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.[20]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 6at Wayne State (MI)
L 6–154,375[21]
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[22]
November 8Hillsdale
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–17
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

1976

1976 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record8–2 (3–2 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
1976 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 15 Northwood $ 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 2 – 1
No. 7 Grand Valley State 3 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0
Wayne State (MI) 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Ferris State 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Hillsdale 2 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Saginaw Valley State 0 – 5 – 0 3 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll

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.[20]

Schedule

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
November 13Northern Michigan*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–143,800
  • *Non-conference game

[23]

1977

1977 Grand Valley State Lakers football
GLIAC champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record7–3 (4–1 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
1977 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 18 Grand Valley State $ 4 – 1 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Wayne State (MI) 3 – 2 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Hillsdale 2 – 3 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Northwood 2 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Saginaw Valley State 2 – 3 – 0 6 – 5 – 0
Ferris State 2 – 3 – 0 3 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll

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.[20]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 10vs. Bowling Green*
L 6–172,869[24]
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)Detroit, MIW 6–33,748[25]
  • *Non-conference game

[26]

1978

1978 Grand Valley State Lakers football
GLIAC champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record9–3 (5–0 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLakers Stadium
1978 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 4 Grand Valley State $^ 5 – 0 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
Wayne State (MI) 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Northwood 2 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Saginaw Valley State 1 – 3 – 1 4 – 5 – 1
Ferris State 1 – 3 – 1 3 – 5 – 2
Hillsdale 1 – 4 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll

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.[20] They advanced to the NAIA Division I playoffs, defeating Wisconsin–La Crosse in the quarterfinals before losing to Elon in the semifinals.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 9Northeastern Illinois*
W 34–7856
September 16at Northern Michigan*Marquette, MIL 22–499,062
September 23at Bowling Green*
L 3–4914,846[27]
September 30at Franklin (IN)*Franklin, INW 62–19527[28]
October 7Ferris State
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 38–141,415–1,491[29]
October 14at Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MIW 24–142,039–2,250[30]
October 21Central State (OH)*
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 31–121,569
October 28Northwood
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 36–71,527[31]
November 4at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIW 28–212,300[32]
November 11Wayne State (MI)
  • Lakers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI
W 24–142,382[33]
December 2at Wisconsin–La Crosse*
W 24–142,150[34]
December 9at Elon*
L 7–13[35][36]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming

[37]

1979

1979 Grand Valley State Lakers football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record4–5 (2–3 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumLubbers Stadium
1979 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 8 Saginaw Valley State $^ 4 – 0 – 1 8 – 2 – 1
Wayne State (MI) 3 – 1 – 1 3 – 5 – 1
Ferris State 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 1
Grand Valley State 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Northwood 1 – 4 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Hillsdale 1 – 4 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll

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.[20]

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

Schedule

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)Detroit, MIL 14–173,000
October 13at Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MIL 24–321,125
October 20at Western Michigan*
L 0–3714,500[38]
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

[39]

References

  1. ^ a b Vern Plagenhoef (September 5, 1971). "Lakers Will Feel Football Growing Pains". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 3C – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Joe Vanderhoff (March 25, 1970). "Collins Accepts Football Coaching Helm at GVSC". The Grand Rapids Press. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Collins Named as GVSC Grid Coach". Grand Haven Tribune. March 26, 1970. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Grand Valley Plays First Football Game Monday". Grand Haven Tribune. October 2, 1970. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Grand Valley Bows In Football Opener". The Grand Rapids Press. October 6, 1970. p. 2F – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Grand Valley Beats Ferris Football Frosh". The Grand Rapids Press. October 16, 1970. p. 3C – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Ferris Frosh Trip Lakers". The Grand Rapids Press. November 6, 1970. p. 2E – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Lakers Drop Finale, 40-0". The Grand Rapids Press. November 11, 1970. p. 6H – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c d "Grand Valley State Yearly Results (1971-1974)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Vern Plagenhoef (September 12, 1971). "Raiders Dominate Debuting Lakers". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Ferris Thumps Lakers". The Grand Rapids Press. October 10, 1971. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ John Block (September 19, 1971). "Hornets Win Opener: Wild Offense, Sticky Defense Keys". The Kalamazoo Gazette. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Mike Conklin (September 26, 1971). "Circle Captures Opener". Chicago Tribune. p. 10 (section 2) – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Lakers Lose Again, 31-0". The Grand Rapids Press. October 3, 1971. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Findlay Pulverizes Grand Valley, 70-6". The Grand Rapids Press. October 24, 1971. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Dutchmen Set Many Records In 64-0 Smashing of GVSC". The Holland Evening Sentinel. November 15, 1971. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Vern Plagenhoef (November 28, 1972). "Collins Resigns Grand Valley Post". The Grand Rapids Press. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Vern Plagenhoef (October 18, 1972). "Lakers Ready for Home Debut With Findlay College Oilers". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Joe Vanderhoff (January 3, 1973). "Harkema Returns to Michigan As Grand Valley's Grid Boss". The Grand Rapids Press. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b c d e "Grand Valley State Yearly Results (1975-1979)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  21. ^ Hal Schram (September 7, 1975). "Wayne Beats Grand Valley in GLIAC Debut: Skowneski Gets Tartars Off on the Right Foot, 15-6". Detroit Free Press. p. 4E – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Final 1975 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Northern Michigan)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Grand Valley State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  24. ^ "Grand Valley scares Bowling Green". The Grand Rapids Press. September 11, 1977. Retrieved April 27, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Brian Bragg (November 13, 1977). "Grand Valley Grabs Crown, 6-3". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1D, 5D – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Final 1977 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Grand Valley State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  27. ^ "Grand Valley gets pasted by BG, 49–3". The Grand Rapids Press. September 24, 1978. Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Grand Valley Breaks Its Losing Streak -- And How". The Grand Rapids Press. October 1, 1978. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ John Jarvi (October 8, 1978). "GVSC Lakers swamp Bulldogs 38-14". The Muskegon Chronicle. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Grand Valley 24, Saginaw Valley 14". The Muskegon Chronicle. October 15, 1978. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Ruth Butler (October 29, 1978). "Lakers Highlight 1st Homecoming With a Victory". The Grand Rapids Press. p. 5G – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ James Gibowski (November 5, 1979). "Ex-Titans aid Grand Valley". Jackson Citizen Patriot. p. C5 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Herschel Nissenson (November 12, 1978). "Valley snares crown". The Muskegon Chronicle. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Jim Pickett (December 3, 1978). "Grand Valley ends UW-L's season: Indians ousted in NAIA playoff". La Crosse Tribune. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ John Jarvi (December 5, 1978). "Lakers face host of challenges before semifinals". The Muskegon Chronicle. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ John Jarvi (December 10, 1978). "Elon slides past Grand Valley". The Muskegon Chronicle. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Final 1978 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Grand Valley State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  38. ^ "Grand Valley gives Western a much-needed win". The Grand Rapids Press. October 21, 1979. Retrieved October 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Final 1979 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Grand Valley State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
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