A game that didn't count meant everything to these Charger basketball players

by Brad Monastiere

Fans could hear the familiar squeak of basketball shoes moving against the finished wood court. They blended seamlessly with the constant bounce-bounce-bounce of the basketball being dribbled against the same court. The dueling sounds form one continuous melody.

They’ve heard these sounds before. But they didn’t sound like this.

The basketball players have shot countless shots against the backdrop of the clear backboard. Sometimes there were a lot of fans behind that glass. Sometimes there weren’t. They have spotted the blue blur of their teammates cutting in and around other players, looking for a pass or a shot.

They’ve seen the backboards before. But they didn’t look like this.

The basketball players ran out into opposite corners of the court, brand-new loose-fitting warm-ups flapping in the wind. Their eyes were wide, strides sure and plenty of hop in the step.

They’ve anticipated the start of a game before. But it didn’t feel like this.

As athletes, you live for the combination of sights, sounds and feelings that make up your internal and external being as you get ready to enter into competition with others. For the players on the Hillsdale College men’s basketball team, the night of Friday, November 4, 2011 spun a web of emotions and sights unlike any they’ve ever seen or felt before.

The Chargers played on one of the ultimate stages that night, in the Breslin Center, taking on Michigan State University in an exhibition contest for both teams. Technically, this game would not count in the standings for either team. But don’t tell the players on the Chargers that this game wasn’t special.

Most of the players on the team grew up in Big Ten country. Tyler Gerber from Ohio. Derek Schell, Matt Clarke and Brandon Pritzl from Wisconsin. John Bagge and Nick Washburn from Illinois. The team’s big contingent of players from Michigan, like Brad Guinane, Tim Dezelski, Tony Nelson and Brandon Crane. Brent Eaton hailing from the basketball-mad state of Indiana. They appreciate the tradition of a program like Michigan State. They grew up admiring the toughness coach Tom Izzo preached in his players. They spent Saturday afternoons appreciating the explosive athleticism of players like Jason Richardson, the gritty leadership of Drew Neitzel and the big-time-players-make-big-time-plays-in-big-games quality embodied by players like Kalin Lucas.

Now, it was them. It was Brent, Timmy, Wash and Gerbs taking that same court, playing the same program they saw on ESPN all the time. It would only be human nature to feel a little overwhelmed by the moment, even for nervy and bold college athletes.

The Izzone was constant noise, as if played on a loop, ebbing and flowing with every subtle action on the court. You can’t expect to replicate the look of nearly 15,000 fans in your peripheral vision in practice, where all these guys see are static wooden bleachers and the occasional splash of blue.

As the game started, the spectacle of the arena was not lost on these intelligent, self-aware players. The Chargers played a little tight, trying to adjust to the overwhelming size and blinding speed of the Spartans (that’s something else you can’t replicate in practice). The movements weren’t smooth, the passes had that pulling-the-string feel to them at first, and the shots bounced roughly off the rim. MSU cruised to a 25-9 lead early in the first half. Then, a funny thing happened. The basketball players started playing basketball.

This group of Chargers are at their best when they’re relaxed, taking makeable shots, and moving the ball quickly and crisply. Gerber, the soul of this team, drained a 3-pointer. Brad cleverly made his way inside for a layup. Suddenly, Hillsdale was on a 12-2 run, it was a six-point game, and members of the Izzone started looking around nervously, wondering what exactly, was going on.

The rest of the story does not play out like the film “Hoosiers.” There was no miracle victory. The Spartans exercised their physical dominance and turned it into an 80-58 win over Hillsdale.

After the game, the players sat on the bus, absorbing all they saw and felt on this night, when Izzo himself climbed up the entrance to address the team. He commended the team on their skill and effort, and made sure they understood how hard the Spartans prepared to play this game. MSU’s preparation intensity was a direct compliment to the Charger program, and the players understood this. Some of the players took to Twitter to express their emotions and admiration for Izzo. Others kept it simple, stating that this was the best basketball experience of their lives.

The 2011-12 season carries high hopes for the players on this team. Not many Division II squads get to experience things like the trip to Greece in August, followed a few months later by a game on the grandest of stages. Experiences like this bond a team together. When you combine the bond, the skill, the drive of these players, this game at Michigan State University will rank a little further down the list of the greatest basketball experiences of their lives.

They will have great nights on the court in the future. But they won’t be like this. They’ll be better.

Tears, pride, respect for Charger senior football and volleyball players

By Genna Hilgenbrink

An athlete’s collegiate career is gone in the blink of an eye and when the final home game approaches it is a reason for applause and congratulations.

This past weekend was Senior Night for both the Charger volleyball and football team. Seniors lined up along with their parents and loved ones to be recognized for their hard work and dedication for the past four years.

Mothers shed a tear and fathers held their head proudly as each senior’s accomplishments were announced. As they were read off, many of them were recognized for earning All-American, or All-GLIAC honors. This was truly a moment of glory for each individual senior before they played their last home game of the season.

The Charger volleyball team celebrated seven seniors, and the ceremony was separated over two days. On Friday October 28^th, Brogan Wells, Morgan Podkul, Ashlee Crowder, Amanda Geelhoed, and Apryl Schmucker were recognized. Lining up with their family members before the national anthem, one by one their accomplishments were acknowledged.

The ceremony started off with two-year captain, Brogan Wells followed by Morgan Podkul, who earned GLIAC All-Academic honors three times in her four years. Just after Morgan, was the two-time All American Ashlee Crowder, preceding a distinctive team leader Amanda Geelhoed. The ceremony concluded with Apryl Schmucker, an offensive leader who leaves Hillsdale ranking fourth in school history for career assists and sixth in service aces.

The evening continued with a 3-0 sweep of Ashland University to clinch the GLIAC South Division title.

The following day, the remaining seniors were recognized. Another two year captain started off the evening. Rachel VanderWall a GLIAC All-Academic stood proudly next to Clara Leutheuser as their accomplishments were read off. Clara, another athlete who has earned many honors in her four years, was a two time All American, winner of the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award and recipient of the President’s Scholar-Athlete Award.

Once again, following the ceremony the Chargers swept their opponent, Lake Erie College, 3-0.

Saturday was also Senior Night for the Charger football team. The team did not celebrate seven, but 17 graduating seniors. Although the mothers were still teary eyed, and the fathers still proud, the ceremony lasted substantially longer than that of the volleyball team in order to recognize all 17 players.

Hard work and dedication are what got these seniors to where they are today and, the ceremony recognized just that. Among the 17 seniors were eight members of the GLIAC All-Academic team, showing dedication not only as an athlete on the field but as a student in the classroom. 

Among the graduating seniors was Nick Hixson, a member of the All-GLIAC Second Team and two year captain. Also in the group was Nick Meinert, a four-year Charger basketball player who came back his fifth year to join the football team.

In the last home game of the season, the Charger Football Team beat Northwood University 14-10.

These athletes have been playing their sport for the majority of their lives. Their final home game can be emotional, but most importantly something to be proud of. Having endured their sport for many years, they have proven themselves capable of working hard, a skill that will later be necessary in their lives after Hillsdale.

Cross Country Event Demonstrates Charger Athleticism and the Hillsdale Way

By Genna Hilgenbrink

Runners came far and wide, from all divisions, and all around the state to attend the Hayden Park dedication ceremony and compete on the new and challenging course.

This past Friday’s cross country meet at the new Hayden Park not only showcased Hillsdale’s athletic talent but demonstrated to visitors and competitors alike just what Hillsdale College is about. The event did not start off like your typical meet rather, It began with a dedication ceremony which was run just as anyone would expect from Hillsdale College, formal and dignified. The dedication included the Invocation Speech given by Hillsdale junior, Sophia Carr, the national anthem performed by the Hillsdale College Trumpet Ensemble, The unveiling of the “Spirit Rock”, a landmark addition to the Park, remarks from Dr. Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, blessings given by the college chaplain, closing remarks by the Athletic Director, Don Brubacher, and finally the cutting of the ribbon. As Dr. Arnn spoke about the generous land provided by the Hayden family, he of course, tied in some of the morals of Hillsdale College, more specifically, the idea of working the mind and person to its potential. He compared that to the fact that moments later, these athletes will be stretching their bodies to the limit to complete the 8 and 5K races.  It turned out to be another meaningful speech from Dr. Arnn, nothing new for the students who attend the college.

Hillsdale students and staff are all too familiar with this type of setting, although it was new to the visiting parents, coaches and runners preparing on the outskirts of the tent. Hosting this event gave the college a chance to show visitors what Hillsdale is all about.  After the ceremony, this formal setting quickly migrated to a reception area on the far side of the park; meanwhile the athletic portion of the event was just beginning.

All divisions from the state of Michigan were represented in this meet, from community college to Division I. The event was different from most other because nothing was stopping a runner from passing a competitor of a higher division. The competition started off with the Men’s 8k, and the runners soon realized the unforgiving nature of the course. It was an uphill climb just out of the start, followed by twists, turns, and loops all around the land. Runners raced through wooded areas and out to open grassy paths then back into the woods several times. Spectators mainly stood at the top of the hill and only had to move back and forth a few hundred yards to watch the athletes loop back around and pass them again and again.

The course was shortened for the Women’s 5k, but the spectators still stood at the top of the hill to watch the athletes run by. Hillsdale’s own Amanda Putt lead the pack the whole way through and beat out the competitors from Division II and III to win the race. Next up the men ran the 8k Open while the women ran the 5k Open simultaneously, an interesting combination that saved time and daylight. After the third race was completed, the awards ceremony took place. Amanda approached the platform as her home crowd cheered; she stood smiling and accepted her award. Overall, the event was a success with a charger on the podium and Hillsdale’s reputation as a respectable, moral school upheld.

Photography by Genna Hilgenbrink