NFL Mock Draft (Why Not?)

1.) Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Lets look at the situation shall we: New coach, first overall pick, Jimmy Clausen. The Panthers are most likely going to draft a quarterback and Newton is the only QB in this draft that has the talent of a number one pick.

2.) Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

What would you know, an Alabama player follows an Auburn player at No.2 Dareus is one of the safest picks in the draft and a position of great need for the Broncos. Dareus along with the return of Elvis Dumervil would go along way in improving a defensive unit that only recorded 23 sacks last year.

3.) Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

Although a QB seems logical for the Bills Miller is a special player who would be a better choice than Blaine Gabbert for this team. Gabbert needs a little seasoning and placing a college spread QB behind that offensive line is a recipe for disaster. Instead Miller gives the Bills a potential defensive star.

4.) Cinncinnatti Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

The Bengals seriously consider Gabbert at this spot, but they then realize that after the expected departures of T.O. and Chad Ochocinco theri would be no one for a rookie QB to throw to. Green gives the Bengals a Larry Fitzgerald type weapon.

5.) Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

The Cardinals get potentially the drafts best overall player and Peterson starts drooling at the thought of playing in the NFC West where the Rams have zero playmaking receivers and the 49ers and Seahawks have absolutly no offensive talent what-so-ever.

6.) Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Cleveland is transitioning to a 4-3 defense and could use more pass-rushing defensive ends. However this is a Cleveland selection so does this pick even matter?

7.) San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

I don't think new head coach Jim Harbough wants to start out with Alex Smith, Carr or Troy Smith as his starter for his first year. Gabbert can make all the throws and strting him off on a run based team is a good fit.

8.) Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

The Titans haven't been the same since Haynsworth took Daniel Snyder's money. Fairley rejoins his college position coach.

9.) Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OL, USC

Corner is a need but have you seen that O-Line? Smith infuses new blood into an aging and ineffective O-Line and has the physicall tools that could make him special one day.

10.) Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

Whoever the QB at Washington is he will be throwing to what could be the best wideout in the draft. Jones is a big target who can stretch the field and is a pretty good blocker.

11.) Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

The Texans desperatly need improvement on that defensive line and Watt would be a perfect complement opposite Mario Williams.

12.) Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

The Vikings need to find an end who can compliment Jared Allen and add to their D-Line which is the heart and soul of that defense. The added pass rush would take some pressure of the Vikings secondary.

13.) Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

The Lions love to take the best player available and will pick Daquan Bowers if they decide his knee is fine. If not they will take Amukamara who is a talented CB and could give the Lions a shutdown corner they desperately need.

Virtual Tour of New GVSU Library, With Library Story

Just how much will the new library will affect Grand Valley and its current student body?

It was apparent that John Denbraber liked what he saw. The smile on his face slowly grew. His eyes were noticeably widened as he maintained an intense focus on the computer monitor in front of him. On this screen was a glimpse into the future, a vision that would not only impact him, but his 24,000 fellow students and the thousands of other students that would follow him. On the monitor was a virtual tour, which was weaving itself through and around the planned Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons, the new library scheduled to be built at Grand Valley State University. John’s jaw seemed to drop at every new feature he noticed in the future library, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“This thing is awesome, I can’t believe some of the things that they are putting [in the new library],” said John who is a Grand Valley freshman, “I never use libraries, but this new one looks sweet, in fact I might just fail a few of my classes just so I can come back and spend additional time there.”

The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons is a 144,000 square foot future development that intends to replace not only the outdated Zumberge Library but the way that libraries as a whole impact students learning. The $70 million project, slated to be completed in April of 2013, intends to revolutionize the way libraries operate, by adding additional services that offer students the best chance to succeed in their academic studies and career paths. It is a development that has implications on both current and future students.

One can say that the current Zumberge library is past its prime and is bringing down Grand Valley with it. The outdated facility was built in 1969 for an enrollment of about 5,000 students and designed to offer each student 21.6 square feet of space. Today, Grand Valley has 24,000 students offering about 4.46 square feet of space per student, a harsh drop-off from the state average of 15. Library usage at Grand Valley has also increased, creating space problems. To go along with these space issues, the building wasn’t designed for today’s heavy reliance on computer and information systems to get work done.

“The building isn’t very computer friendly,” said Student Senator Brennen Gorman who is on the committee of political affairs “Overall it’s an ugly building that just simply can’t effectively serve Grand Valley’s current student body…by building a new library the University is fixing its biggest problem.”

Replacing the elderly Zumberge with a hip new state of the art library is certain to affect admissions. According to a report by the APPA (formerly Association of Physical Plant Administrators), a group made up of University Facilities Managers, the library was an extremely or very important factor in selection of a college for 54% of students, second only to the facilities for their majors. The same report also stated that the library was also ranked as the third most important place on campus to see during a visit, following the facilities for their major and the residence halls, yet according to Gorman, Grand Valley tour guides are not supposed to bring their groups into the library.

The outdated library has been a consistent negative whenever tour guides have given prospective students tours of the campus. “Overall I liked what Grand Valley showed us,” said Patricia Rosevear the mother of a prospective student “however I wasn’t very impressed with the library, it’s easily the worst one we’ve seen on all our college visits. Another parent who wished to remain anonymous thought that the library that he had when he was attending college was in far better shape and was more impressive than Zumberge. However with The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons plan in place, GVSU leaders feel that the libraries at Grand Valley should go from a major weakness to a key focal point in terms of admissions and prospective students.

“Overall we feel very satisfied with the structure that we have designed,” said James Moyer Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning “We are confident that it will usher in a new era for Grand Valley.”

The biggest effects brought about by The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons are those centered around future students as the new library will introduce uniquely new features that will aid student learning. “[The new library] is a care free environment which students can continue work that a student has started in the classroom; In fact it can add a dimension of growth and learning that a classroom doesn’t always offer. It is redefining what a library should be,” said Lee Van Orsdel, the Dean of University Libraries. She also claims that the library will become a fluid, dynamic academic center that draws students in and invites them to labor and explore ideas.

Some of the new features include multiple public and private group meeting rooms/collaborative work areas, a multipurpose room, an Automatic Retrieval System, A bibliographic training room, a small café, computer stations and alcoves with wall screens. An Exhibition gallery where students could meet with visiting experts within their respective fields. A ‘Genius Bar’ in which students can meet assistants in order to assist with computers and research. Moyer claims that the reason for adding a lot of these features is to extend group sessions/meetings or to encourage students to stay at the library longer.

However the most significant new addition might be the Knowledge Market were students can walk up and receive resources that improve their job skills or help them with a particular part of an assignment. An example would be a speech prep center which is a unique aid that would offer students the tools and feedback to perfect presentations and demonstrations. “We put together in one place right in front of the students the resources to build all the skills that employers tell us are critical to the work place: writing, speaking, presenting, graphic design and research. Students manage their own learning, choosing the help they need when they need it,” Said Van Orsdel. These programs would affect future students, giving them extra opportunities in order to improve their studies, schoolwork, and job training.

Due to the fact that the library is scheduled to open in April of 2013, most current students at Grand Valley will have graduated by then and thus miss out on experiencing the new library, however current students may still feel the effects of the library. For the past eight years, Grand Valley has been trying to get state matching funds in order to pay for the library, yet the state gave them no money. The decision was made to go ahead and construct the $70 million dollar project, using donations, bonds and savings to fund the development.

“We decided that we had to move forward at some point and realized that eight years was enough…If we decided to stay put and wait for the State matching funds, we would be waiting longer as the state just had more money,” said Moyer.

However Moyer hinted that Grand Valley may still receive the funds down the line in order to help pay for the library, opening up speculation that some money may still be needed for the project.

Whether that’s the case or not, those bonds and loans are still going to have to be paid back in full eventually. Although Grand Valley President Thomas Hass has insisted that the new library will not raise tuition, that seems unlikely as debts are going to have to be paid back, as well as pay upkeep costs for a 144,000 square foot facility. Moyer also said that The Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons will have a need for more jobs and staff members. He also said that most of the staff will be undergoing training and a transition process well before the library opens; currently they are training five people-three years before the library is to be opened. This isn’t even factoring in any construction delays/problems that might result when building the new library or the Zumberge renovations. It seems highly likely that current students may see a tuition increase soon.

Although many current students will graduate before the state of the art Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons opens in 2013, some may feel negative effects such as tuition increases. However the new library is the necessary steps for Grand Valley; it addresses the schools biggest weakness, will have an effect on admissions, and when opened, provide future students with the necessary tools and resources that could give them an advantage over others when applying to jobs. The new library should not only revolutionize perceptions of what a library does for students, but usher Grand Valley into a new era.

A Look Back: Detroit Red Wings Media Day

(Note this story was written two years ago, It has nothing to do with GV, but its one of my favorites, I won a bunch of awards for this story including Grand Prize winner from Detroit Red Wings High School Media Day)

The students couldn’t control their excitement the moment their eyes caught a glance of the white surface surrounded by a sea of red, black, and white seats. A sense of awe and anticipation was palpable through a short silence followed by a series of camera clicks. Teens, parents, chaperones rushed down the endless flight of steps with their eyes focused upon the white floor centered in the middle of the large building, more clicks followed. With every step they descended, the white surface became bigger and eventually revealed every detail of the ice surface. Finally, the mass decent ended and the sounds of the camera clicks started again at an even faster rate as a red figure flew right by. A wall of transparent Plexiglas boards halted the students’ advance, yet their excitement only grew as more figures draped in red, white, and black skated by. One figure draped in black slowly skated over toward the students, cracked a smile, and held it for the climax of camera clicks that followed. Then, Chris Chelios, the smiling figure in black, skated away.

To some, the opportunity to attend a Detroit Red Wings practice was the highlight of the Detroit Red Wings High School Journalist Day, an event put on by the organization and held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The event was intended to give a few selected high school journalists a simulated experience of what it would be like if they were professional sports writers. Some of the scheduled events on the agenda were mock press conferences with players, coaches, and media members, tours of media-only access points such as the press box, the chance to watch a Red Wings practice from any location in the arena, and of coarse, a pizza lunch courtesy of Little Ceasar’s.

The day had a media feel to it from the beginning, when the roughly 60 invitees along with some parent chaperones walked through the door marked “Media Only” and received a makeshift press pass. After everyone registered, a tour guide led the students and chaperones to the entrance of the Olympia Club where the young journalists received the same press packets that sports writers would receive. The packets contained every kind of statistic imaginable from not only the Red Wings and their most recent opponent, but every aspect of the current NHL season.

Centered in the middle of the Olympia Club was the press stage where the conferences would occur. First on the list of interviewees was a panel of media members made up of Jennifer Hammond from Fox 2 News, Red Wings radio play-by-play broadcaster Ken Kal, Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin, and Bruce Macleod from the Macomb Daily. The students were allowed to ask the panel a series of questions regarding the career of sports journalism.

Through the mock press conference, the students gained a wealth of information. From a combined 99 years of journalism and communications experience on the panel, the students were able to gain valuable insight from the reporters. The young journalists were able to hear not only some of the panel’s stories in the field, but also tips on becoming a better journalist.

They heard heart wrenching stories of families living in cars and human interest tales such as Jennifer Hammond taking former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers out for a pedicure.

However the most valuable peace of information that the students gained was how to conduct oneself as a journalist. “You have to tell the story, said Mcloud “Observation, observation, find interesting stories, pay attention…If it amuses you it will amuse others.”

The young journalists learned on how to break into the journalism field. “You have to want to be a journalist… You have to love the process of writing the stories,” said Mcloud. “Sometimes you will have to start at a small newspaper, work your way up the ranks, sometimes you’ll even have to do jobs for free and work other jobs on the side.” The panel stressed that the most important thing for student journalists is to get experience in any way necessary.

Every member confirmed that although its hard to break into the media field, it’s worth it in the end, “I have the opportunity to do things I would’ve never done the people you meet, the places you get to go, things I get to experience where I can scratch my head and say man I’ve come a long way from Littleton, Colorado,” said Rubin.

After a short intermission where the students toured the press box and observed practice, the young journalists returned to the mock press conference and awaited the most intriguing part of the day, as head coach Mike Babcock and General Manager Ken Holland were called to the podium. No time was lost as the high schoolers immediately started asking the hard questions. The first question asked: “How has the recent resigning of Henrik Zetterberg to a 12 year deal affected the contract situations between soon-to-be- free agents Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa?” Holland responded, “I thought their would be some softball questions at first.”

The first question broke the ice and the next few questions were centered on the topic of Zetterberg’s new contract. “Henrik made it clear that he wanted to play his whole career in a Redwing uniform,” Holland said. “He loves the idea of having the type of career as Steve Yzerman... It was a commitment by Mr.Illitch and Henrik to the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan.” Holland than later said that he feels the Zetterberg could be a future captain.

“We ended up putting a good contract that gave us a good cap number. If you look at cap space, there is no doubt we can afford [either Hossa or Franzen]. We can keep both but the question is whether we can keep both and most of your team together as well, it’s a team sport,” Holland said

Other key areas of discussion revolved around goaltending, the trade deadline, the current roster, and up-in-coming prospects. Babcock admitted the goaltending needed to get better and. “The best penalty kill is your goaltending.”

At the time of the press conference, the NHL trade deadline was approaching and everyone seemed curious whether the Wings would show any activity. Holland said, “Our best trade might be somebody in the minors.” It appeared evident that he wasn’t planning on making a move as he sang praises for the talent in the farm system. He seemed particularly high on a few prospects such as Ville Leino, defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, and goaltender Thomas McCollum.

Asked why players take pay cuts to become a Red Wing, Babcock simply stated, “Every other team doesn’t win 50 games a year…and winning with integrity.”
The press conference wrapped up with current Red Wing defensemen Brett Lebda and Andreas Lija, along with forward Dan Cleary. The journalists clamored to ask the players what it was like to be a pro hockey player, what they did with the Stanley Cup, what it is like on a road game, and even if thought refs make good or bad calls.

The players’ stories began to role off their tongues, pleasing the young admirers. “We had the cup 12-13 hours, so it was a happy day for us…We ate Honey Nut Cheerios out of it.” Lija said. The players also talked about the tradition of the team. No matter what people say the city will always be Hockeytown.

The day soon was over and the students began to pile into their cars to take the journey back home. Although some were sad the day ended, they felt inner joy as they slowly realized that Detroit Red Wings High School Journalism Day was something that they would never forget.

What The MHSAA Division1 Swim meet can do for West Michigan: A look back at the meet from last year

HOLLAND, MI. - The MHSAA boys Division One State Swim Meet took place last Friday and Saturday at the Holland Aquatic Center, attracting an estimated 1200 visitors to the Holland area.

This was the first year that the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) held the State Swim Meet at a location in western Michigan. In past years, the meet has been hosted at larger locations such as the main natatoriums at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Oakland University, all located on the east side of the state.

The event brought in over 1200 swimmers, parents, relatives, teammates and overall swimming fans to the Holland Aquatic Center.

“Due to slower qualifying times this year, this is the largest field [of swimmers] we have ever had,” said meet organizer Marc VanSoest “due to the large field we sold the most amount of tickets in meet history.”

The meet was so crowded that the facility ran out of seats and workers actually had to stop letting people into the facility.

"It was so packed the first day,” said South Lyon High School senior Ryan Beaber, “That my friends and I had to arrive three hours early on Saturday just to get seats.”

Overall the meet was not only a success for the organizers but for the Holland community as well.

According to VanSoest, the record crowd may have had a positive economic impact in the Holland area.

“You probably would see an impact on local businesses a lot especially those around the [Holland Aquatics Center],” he said, “Whenever you get 1200 visitors to a town like Holland, you’re going to see people spend money either through hotels or other local businesses.”

With Holland being a relatively small town, the effects of a large visiting crowd could be seen relatively easy. A lot of the local restaurants were packed, in fact according to the manager of a Subway near the facility; the workers were quickly overwhelmed when a large amount of people showed up after the conclusion of Friday’s events.

Also seeing an impact were local hotels. According to VanSoest most of the high schools at the state meet are from the east side of Michigan, requiring many to stay in hotels for the two day meet, including people like Beaber.

“Some friends and I wanted to cheer on our teammates, but we didn’t want to spend the time driving back and forth between [South Lyon] and Holland so we got a hotel room and spent the entire weekend here," Beaber said.

“I think it was nice staying overnight in Holland,” said Bonnie Oxner, a parent of one of the swimmers, “ not only did the kids had a fun time staying with each, but staying in a hotel gave the some of the families a chance to spend some time in Holland.”

The seriousness of the meet may have allowed other hotels to get some business. Beaber’s former swim coach, John Burch, actually made hotel reservations in two separate hotels, one for the parents/ spectators and one for the participating swimmers, allowing them to focus on the meet.

Perhaps just getting a large amount of people to the Holland area may have the most important impact. “Just having the meet in Holland is nice because it not only shows of the town of Holland, but for many it’s the first time seeing what the west side of the state, basically we get to show people what our side of the state has to offer." VanSoest said.

The same type of effect was felt in previous locations. In past years the state meet has been held on the campuses of Oakland University, Eastern Michigan and Michigan (Ann Arbor). Although the effects weren’t nessasarily felt through hotels, the host sites had a chance to show off their campuses to a large number of high school students.

Most of the 1200 visitors came from towns outside the western part of the state. Organizers of past division 1 state meets have been reluctant to schedule the meet outside the east side due to the fact that most high schools who are categorized as Division 1 by the MHSAA are located on the east; therefore more schools could save on travel and hotel expenditures.

“Although we realized that most teams came from the other side of the state, we thought that the kids were missing out on some of the experiences that our local teams were having, such as staying in a hotel for example, so we thought we would change things up and see how it goes,” said VanSoest.

In terms of setting attendance records, the meet was a success. It was so popular, workers actually had to stop letting people into the facility at one point.

“It's really not about us or the meet location,” said VanSoest, “It's about doing anything we can do to make this experience the best it can be for the kids, If they had a fun time, I consider this meet a success.

Student Senate Begins discussions on 2010-11 student life budget

ALLENDALE, MI- The budgets for the Media Council, culture and sports organizations faced drastic changes as the Grand Valley State Student Senate began initial discussions on the 2011-2012 student life budgets during their General Assembly meeting last Thursday.

In the first of three meetings that will finalize the million dollar student life budget for next year, the Student Senate Finance committee presented a base budget which outlined several proposed changes affecting the amount of money allocated to various student organizations, clubs and professional societies.

“This was an exceptional presentation put on by the finance committee today,” said Executive Vice President John Way.

During the presentation, each member of the Finance committee dissected the proposed changes for the categorized councils. Although roughly 11 of the councils faced changes to their funds, the most notable changes were proposed for the budgets of The Media Council, culture based organizations and sports clubs.

Under the proposed budget for the Media Council which includes the Grand Valley Lanthorn, GVTV and Grand Valley Radio, the council would see their allocation rise 17.86 percent from last year and level off at $66,000. According to Finance Committee head Alyssa Tierney, the jump would help pay for new equipment for both GVTV and Grand Valley Radio as well as help the struggling Lanthorn.

“We feel that it is important for Grand Valley students to have a student run newspaper,” Tierney said, “It is our goal for the Lanthorn to continue to print twice each week.”

According to Tierney, $48,000 would be allocated for the Lanthorn while $4,000 would go to GVTV and Grand Valley Radio respectively. The fact that so much of the budget was allocated to the student run newspaper provided one of the few causes of discussion throughout the course of the presentation.

“It’s been frustrating to see the money spent [by the Lanthorn] in a very poor way,” Way said shortly after Tierney said she didn’t recommend the Lanthorn to add or take away anything.

The Lanthorn has been hurt lately with poor advertising sales and rising print costs.

Although the Media Council saw increased funding under the proposed budget, another struggling organization isn’t expected to see the same result as culture organizations are faced with a deduction in their allocation.

“As of now there is $31,000 left in the budget,” said Finance committee member Logan Brenk, “We are currently losing organizations and there is a lack or requests to join, we have never gone over our budget.”

The allocation for culture organizations is expected to decrease from the $88,000 it had last year, to a number roughly around $75,000.

While culture organizations are on the downswing, sports clubs have seen substantial increases in members, interest and attention given from the University. The budget for sports clubs makes up the largest portion of the student life budget and it is expected to increase for 2011-2012. Under the proposed budget the allocation would increase to $358,000.

“[Grand Valley] Administration has shown more interest in upgrading the athletic facilities, President Hass has made upgrading the athletic facilities a priority and has added it on the his list of future goals,” said Senator Brennen Gorman following the meeting.

The university has already added numerous additions, including recently adding a spring intramural season to counter its rising popularity. Over the summer the school installed new astro-turf intramural fields and in 2008 a $50 million indoor turf building was finished.

According to Gorman, although the numbers in the proposed budget are only estimates, the overall student life budget from Student Senate will total to approximately $1 million. Other proposed changes involve increases to the budgets of honorary societies, Interfaith, performing arts and special interest groups. It is also expected that Greek life will see its budget rise to $30,000, as the change is expected to help accommodate three new organizations that will move onto Grand Valley within the year.

The Finance committee planned to have a meeting on Tuesday to address further changes to the budget

Its time for Grand Valley to take the D1 step

Hockey great Wayne Gretzky once said "you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take," and when it comes to the case of the Grand Valley State University athletic departmnet, they are hesitating on shooting at a wide open net by not pursuing Division 1 sports.

With all the momentum that Laker athletics has built up over the last decade, Grand Valley has earned the right to flirt with the decision to move up to Division 1. In less than 50 years, the athletic department has grown from a tiny NAIA school trying to fit in, to a championship crazed program that seems content with slaughtering every poor Division 2 school that makes the mistake of appearing on the schedule that year; needless to say the program has won several national championships, finished national runners-up thirteen times and has won senven straight NACDA Learfield Sports Directors' Cups with an eighth on the way. GV has had all this success despite having an athletic budget that Senior Associate Athletic Director Lisa Sweany deems as "pretty average'' compared to other Division 2 programs. With all of this recent success along with the school's enrollment explosion, it seems a perfect fit for the department to begin the Division 1 transition process, yet one problem still exists; the school is resisting the idea.

Although there are legitimate risks with taking the next step in college sports, such as the requiremnet to update facilities and increase the athletic budget, Grand Valley's reluctance on the matter is inexcusable for a school that has been considered a top university/college on the rise. Division 1 athletics has been proven as a legitamate tool in promoting colleges to all areas of the nation and unifying students and alumni. Athletics is the unifying factor within major college institutions in our country.

According to Brennen Gorman, a Grand Valley sophomore and member of the school's Student Senate, "Having a Division 1 sports would considerably increase Grand Valleys national exposure, although Grand Valley is on the rise, not that many people are aware of the school outside the Midwest."

A plethora of statistics back up Gorman's belief. When George Mason made a Final Four run in the 2006 men's NCAA basketball tournement, the little known school received approximately $100 million in free advertising and PR for the school according to the Wall Street Journal. The miraculous run also lead to an increase of freshman applications of 22 percent and the number of admissions inquiries rose 350 percent. Pretty good for a small school that people used to mistake for nearby college James Madison. These similar spikes have been seen at other Division 0ne schools such as Boston College (after the 1984 Cotton Bowl), Gonzaga and Boise State among many others that have made the transition to Division 1. In fact teams that make the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournement see their enrollment rise by an additional one percent.

"These jumps are the result of increased media exposure that comes with competing with big name schools," Sweany said, "Whenever teams make these miraculous runs of have a string of success they become the cool school."

However according to Sweany, the biggest concern in the athletic department is that with the jump to Division 1 athletics, the possibility looms that Grand Valley would never reach high levels of success and blend in to the rest of the Diviosion 1 crowd.

"You don't see very many MAC schools winning championships," Sweany said, "You have to take into account that if we went from winning multiple championships to a middle of the pack team, your students would lose intrest and TV exposure...I would assume that we would appear on ESPN just as much as we would if we moved up."

This is where Grand Valley seems to lose logical sense in the argument. Although Grand Valley has a successful Division 2 program, their is no escaping the fact that they are a Division 2 program. There is only so spirit that you can have in Division 2 sports. The only time that Division 2 appears on TV is durning champioship playoffs, and ratings ratings for the championship game are considerably less than the average ratings for Division 1 football. In fact, the 5A High School Championship game in Texas drew higher ratings than Division 2 football did. Grand Valley actually plays games on Saturday Nights so that people can watch Division 1 football games when they come on in the afternoon.

"If anything school spirit and attandance would increase," Gorman said, "There is more intrest in Division 1 anything than Division 2...there is a reason most students here are either Michigan or Michigan State fans."

Its not like Grand Valley would even miss out on appering on national TV if they were to trend water in mediocricy. In Division 1, big time programs pay smaller schools lump sums of mney to play games against them. Ohio State paid Eastern Michigan $850,000 to play a nationally televised game of football. In 2012 the University of Michigan will pay Air Force upwards of $1 million to put them on the schedule.

Division 1 sports seem like the right fit for Grand Valley at this time. There is more exposure for the school which helps the great students who walk in and out of Grand Valley find jobs, it unifies the student body, and could very well benefit the school's enrollment, taking Grand Valley to a whole new level. Just imagine if Grand Valley has a miraculous George Mason type run.

This is a shot that Grand Valley should take.