Journey to Minnesota
Cody Ewers
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
A little after 9:30 p.m. last Friday night about 85 Hillsdale students dressed in their comfiest pajamas and armed with their favorite pillows and blankets, piled into two charter buses outside the George Roche Sports Complex.
Just before the buses shoved off, some students took window paint markers and covered the tinted glass with numbers, Greek letters and good luck wishes for the Hillsdale Charger football team.
Our bus' idle chatter gained momentum when the snack bins cracked open and complimentary bags of cookies, Skittles, mini-candy bars, Fruit Snacks, and many other sugar-ridden goodies infiltrated our blood streams - thank you Hillsdale College.
By the end of the first and only movie played in our bus, the inevitable sugar crash abruptly quieted each seat, two-by-two.
Twelve hours later we stopped at a McDonald's near the stadium in Mankato, Minn. Those beautiful golden arches never looked so good.
We dismounted, dragging toothbrushes and duffle bags through the brisk morning chill and into the eatery. A few Egg McMuffins and hashbrowns later everyone emerged bright eyed, bundled up and ready to go.
A white block "H" flapped proudly from the Veldher's Winnebago in the parking lot of the Minnesota State Maverick bookstore across the street from the stadium in Mankato, Minn.
Jim and Mary Veldher have traveled to every away game since their son, Jared, started at Hillsdale a little over three years ago. Jared is part of a string of NFL prospects that have emerged from the Charger ranks over the last three years, including 2008 graduate Mark Nicolet, who was almost signed with the Detroit Lions, and 2009 graduate Tom Korte, who was the last cut on this years defending Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although we couldn't see the rosy cheeks hiding underneath hoods and winter caps, the early tailgaters' stamping feet hinted that the wind was biting at the 20 Charger fans flipping dogs under the Winnebago awning.
Not seeming to mind too much they waved at our two charter buses pulling into an empty stadium parking lot across the street. After 12 straight hours in a seat, we were ready to fight the cold for some stretching room.
The cold didn't seem to bother the students who shuffled into the street toward the Veldhers' concrete campsite, and the ones who did complain didn't turn back.
It wasn't just any game day for the Hillsdale College Charger Football team; it was the first NCAA Division II playoff birth in the team's history and came because of a homecoming victory over a daunting number one ranked Grand Valley State University. It snapped a GVSU 48-game winning streak and was the first time in 15 years Hillsdale triumphed over the Lakers on the gridiron.
But there was a sense of destiny whipping with the wind at the pre-game tailgate that insulated the Charger fans better than any alcoholic beverage could have.
Students tossed a football, joked around with Charlie, the Charger mascot and talked about how Hillsdale had a decent chance, especially because the Maverick's third string quarterback would be starting.
About an hour and a half before kickoff, the tailgate lunch was served, made possible once again by the college, who generated over $8,000 for the trip. Soon after, President Larry Arnn put down his Coors Light and spoke to the crowd.
His words reminded us of Hillsdale's uncompromised dedication to recruiting men of character and intellect as well as talent. It was an inspiring sentiment that added the kind of stoic perspective we've come to expect from our fearless leader.
When the time came to finish our Irish coffees, beers and sodas, Hillsdale fans marched together with solidarity into the stadium.
Game Time
Once most of the Hillsdale supporters entered the stadium, some one shouted, "Tunnel!" and almost instantly the mob formed one, shooting it from a corner opening in the chain-linked fence and onto the field.
Cowbells and screams filled the air as the players rushed through, slapping the Charger banner for good luck. The Mavericks took the field a moment before, with an almost inaudible clap from the home fans sitting in the bleachers - they looked cold.
The student section of Hillsdale didn't sit down once throughout the entire game, thundering defensive chants before each Maverick snap and standing in silence before Charger quarterback Troy Weatherhead received his.
After starting kicker, Mark Petro booted the 41-yard game-wining overtime field goal into Maverick and Charger supporters perched on a mound behind the goal posts, Hillsdale fans charged the field for the second time this year.
Following the game, Hillsdale fans, players and coaches soaked in the moment together on the field. Head coach Kieth Otterbein gave a speech to his players just before the two teams kneeled at midfield for a touching prayer.
There was a euphoric feeling shared by all garbed in blue and white, regardless of whether or not they were wearing a helmet; it was also the first time that I've ever seen Otterbein proudly sport a smile for more than an instant.
The student athletes of Hillsdale College curbed their celebration and honored their opponents by shaking hands and joining in prayer, led by the injured Charger senior Matt Szoula. It was a tranquil moment, before the field once again erupted with emotional revelry.
When Jim and Mary Veldher sent their son to Hillsdale College a little over three years ago, they had a good idea that Jared would take part in such a triumph.
Jim said that the Charger football team has had an amazing line of leaders over the last couple of years, including Nicolet and Korte, who set the table for this year's team and helped push them to be as good as they are.
In the pressroom after the game, Petro, Weatherhead and Otterbein stoically took questions, not letting the elation of their historic win distract their focus for the next challenge - a rematch with Grand Valley in Allendale, Mich. this Saturday.
Fans are already purchasing tickets on Grand Valley's side of the stadium, due to a sold-out Hillsdale section. The college is selling white playoff T-shirts for $4 to promote a "white-out" at this weekend's matchup.
After the onfield celebration dwindled, fans and supporters jovially made their way back to the abandoned concrete, waving to honking horns celebrating the day's victory.
The buses once again filled and, after a little while, began the long trek back to the Hillsdale bubble. Exhausted students were too happy to sleep at first; catch phrase echoed throughout our bus after the first two movies, but eventually quieted.
The blue and white glow of the Sports Complex scrolling announcement board welcomed the sleep students back to campus at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning - general consensus, a trip well worth it. Thanks boys.
Just before the buses shoved off, some students took window paint markers and covered the tinted glass with numbers, Greek letters and good luck wishes for the Hillsdale Charger football team.
Our bus' idle chatter gained momentum when the snack bins cracked open and complimentary bags of cookies, Skittles, mini-candy bars, Fruit Snacks, and many other sugar-ridden goodies infiltrated our blood streams - thank you Hillsdale College.
By the end of the first and only movie played in our bus, the inevitable sugar crash abruptly quieted each seat, two-by-two.
Twelve hours later we stopped at a McDonald's near the stadium in Mankato, Minn. Those beautiful golden arches never looked so good.
We dismounted, dragging toothbrushes and duffle bags through the brisk morning chill and into the eatery. A few Egg McMuffins and hashbrowns later everyone emerged bright eyed, bundled up and ready to go.
Pre-game Tailgate
A white block "H" flapped proudly from the Veldher's Winnebago in the parking lot of the Minnesota State Maverick bookstore across the street from the stadium in Mankato, Minn.
Jim and Mary Veldher have traveled to every away game since their son, Jared, started at Hillsdale a little over three years ago. Jared is part of a string of NFL prospects that have emerged from the Charger ranks over the last three years, including 2008 graduate Mark Nicolet, who was almost signed with the Detroit Lions, and 2009 graduate Tom Korte, who was the last cut on this years defending Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although we couldn't see the rosy cheeks hiding underneath hoods and winter caps, the early tailgaters' stamping feet hinted that the wind was biting at the 20 Charger fans flipping dogs under the Winnebago awning.
Not seeming to mind too much they waved at our two charter buses pulling into an empty stadium parking lot across the street. After 12 straight hours in a seat, we were ready to fight the cold for some stretching room.
The cold didn't seem to bother the students who shuffled into the street toward the Veldhers' concrete campsite, and the ones who did complain didn't turn back.
It wasn't just any game day for the Hillsdale College Charger Football team; it was the first NCAA Division II playoff birth in the team's history and came because of a homecoming victory over a daunting number one ranked Grand Valley State University. It snapped a GVSU 48-game winning streak and was the first time in 15 years Hillsdale triumphed over the Lakers on the gridiron.
But there was a sense of destiny whipping with the wind at the pre-game tailgate that insulated the Charger fans better than any alcoholic beverage could have.
Students tossed a football, joked around with Charlie, the Charger mascot and talked about how Hillsdale had a decent chance, especially because the Maverick's third string quarterback would be starting.
About an hour and a half before kickoff, the tailgate lunch was served, made possible once again by the college, who generated over $8,000 for the trip. Soon after, President Larry Arnn put down his Coors Light and spoke to the crowd.
His words reminded us of Hillsdale's uncompromised dedication to recruiting men of character and intellect as well as talent. It was an inspiring sentiment that added the kind of stoic perspective we've come to expect from our fearless leader.
When the time came to finish our Irish coffees, beers and sodas, Hillsdale fans marched together with solidarity into the stadium.
Game Time
Once most of the Hillsdale supporters entered the stadium, some one shouted, "Tunnel!" and almost instantly the mob formed one, shooting it from a corner opening in the chain-linked fence and onto the field.
Cowbells and screams filled the air as the players rushed through, slapping the Charger banner for good luck. The Mavericks took the field a moment before, with an almost inaudible clap from the home fans sitting in the bleachers - they looked cold.
The student section of Hillsdale didn't sit down once throughout the entire game, thundering defensive chants before each Maverick snap and standing in silence before Charger quarterback Troy Weatherhead received his.
After starting kicker, Mark Petro booted the 41-yard game-wining overtime field goal into Maverick and Charger supporters perched on a mound behind the goal posts, Hillsdale fans charged the field for the second time this year.
Playoff record: 1-0
Following the game, Hillsdale fans, players and coaches soaked in the moment together on the field. Head coach Kieth Otterbein gave a speech to his players just before the two teams kneeled at midfield for a touching prayer.
There was a euphoric feeling shared by all garbed in blue and white, regardless of whether or not they were wearing a helmet; it was also the first time that I've ever seen Otterbein proudly sport a smile for more than an instant.
The student athletes of Hillsdale College curbed their celebration and honored their opponents by shaking hands and joining in prayer, led by the injured Charger senior Matt Szoula. It was a tranquil moment, before the field once again erupted with emotional revelry.
When Jim and Mary Veldher sent their son to Hillsdale College a little over three years ago, they had a good idea that Jared would take part in such a triumph.
Jim said that the Charger football team has had an amazing line of leaders over the last couple of years, including Nicolet and Korte, who set the table for this year's team and helped push them to be as good as they are.
In the pressroom after the game, Petro, Weatherhead and Otterbein stoically took questions, not letting the elation of their historic win distract their focus for the next challenge - a rematch with Grand Valley in Allendale, Mich. this Saturday.
Fans are already purchasing tickets on Grand Valley's side of the stadium, due to a sold-out Hillsdale section. The college is selling white playoff T-shirts for $4 to promote a "white-out" at this weekend's matchup.
After the onfield celebration dwindled, fans and supporters jovially made their way back to the abandoned concrete, waving to honking horns celebrating the day's victory.
The buses once again filled and, after a little while, began the long trek back to the Hillsdale bubble. Exhausted students were too happy to sleep at first; catch phrase echoed throughout our bus after the first two movies, but eventually quieted.
The blue and white glow of the Sports Complex scrolling announcement board welcomed the sleep students back to campus at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning - general consensus, a trip well worth it. Thanks boys.
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