Best of CASE District V Award
 

Institution: Grand Valley State University

Title of entry: The Toughest Yard

About this entry: When Arend ‘Don’ Lubbers was named president of Grand Valley in 1968, he saw a football program as a way to encourage school pride. His vision laid the foundation for one of the most successful programs in Division II history. The Lakers have won four national championships, led Division II in total and average attendance for 12 consecutive years and built a loyal, passionate fan base among students and alumni. To reach a large segment of the Lakers' fan base, this profile was featured in the Spring 2024 edition of Grand Valley Magazine, reaching a print audience of 68,000 students, alumni, faculty and other GVSU stakeholders.

Gary Sprecken, a 1973 graduate and member of GVSU’s inaugural football team, contacted Senior Writer Brian Vernellis to recount a little-known game from the team’s first season in 1970 — against a team of inmates from Michigan Reformatory. Research by Vernellis in the university archives revealed team photos and reports from GVSU's student newspaper that confirmed the game. Vernellis interviewed Lubbers and former team members to document their experiences playing in a confrontational environment.

The game’s unique setting, unconventional opponents, and former team members' firsthand accounts added a rich, historical depth to the story of Grand Valley’s most beloved team. Since its publication, the story has received more than 4,300 views on the magazine’s website, ranking it as the third most-popular story since the site’s launch.