Charger athletics: one for the ages

By: Andrew Dodson

Posted: 4/23/09

I am still unsure exactly why I made the decision to become a Charger. Four years ago on my recruitment trip, I simply wanted to take a day off from high school and stop the phone calls from a certain coach Jeff Forino. What I discovered was a college that prides itself on student-athletes, building character and a commitment to excellence. I've never had second thoughts on my decision. As a student-athlete at Hillsdale, I've seen highlights galore, and today I'm pleased to relive three memorable moments of Charger history since my freshman year: the fall of 2005.

Homecoming 2006: The Chargers met the Greyhounds of Indianapolis on the gridiron. Heading into the game, it appeared as an inevitable loss and a disappointing homecoming. Once the Greyhounds jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, a loss seemed even more evident. Odds were against the Chargers. A freshman at the time, Brad Otterbein received the nod from his dad, head coach Keith Otterbein, that he was the starting quarterback after injury to the first and second string quarterbacks, Aaron Scholl and future all-American, Mark Nicolet. Otterbein's inexperience and small stature gave Charger pessimists more to gripe about, but his knowledge of the game shone beginning in the second quarter. At the half, the Chargers faced a six-point deficit.

It was not until the fourth quarter when the young quarterback faced a test that not many Hillsdale quarterbacks have taken: five minutes to steal a homecoming victory. Otterbein strung together four perfect passes for a total of 74 yards, with the final toss winding up in the endzone to then sophomore, Aaron Waldie. Chargers: 14, Greyhounds: 13. And the fans rushed the field, embracing the young hero. A homecoming never forgotten.

2006 Krout Legacy: Later that year, a new teammate of mine showed up on campus. Quietly. Junior Jared Krout had high school statistics that everyone on the track team, as well as the entire conference, knew about soon enough.

Krout qualified for the 200 and 400-meter dash finals and competed in his first long jump final that evening. After the first round, the freshman found himself in second place, a solid place for a freshman at this level of competition.

With his final jump of the competition, his coach told him to sprint hard down the runway, hoping to get that perfect combination of speed and takeoff, realizing he had nothing to lose. Krout hit the board perfectly, lofted into the air and splashed into the sand. The arena became quiet. The official pulled the tape measurer to the board and announced, "7 point…" he pulled the tape tighter. "7.27 meters. 23-feet, 10.25-inches."

Krout erupted with scream of celebration with his teammates and coaches joining. Here was conference title number one. The next day, Krout cruised to conference titles in the 400 and 200-meter dashes. All performances were national-qualifying marks and helped Krout earn GLIAC Freshman and Runner of the Year and Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year.

Charger Madness 2008: With so many memorable highlights, the final was difficult to choose. Move the timestamp to this past March, the GLIAC women's basketball tournament, round one. Playing Lake Superior State University, the lady Chargers, on paper, should have cakewalked through round-one play. But that nagging, scrappy team from the U.P. put up a tough effort, frazzling the Chargers, and held senior Katie Cezat, Division II National Player of the Year, to a season-low five points at the half. The Lakers were up 24-22 at half.

The Chargers struggled through the second half as well, never gaining a lead on the underdog Lakers, and it wasn't until a timeout at the four-minute mark that Charger fans began to see light.

Once back in the game, the Chargers were possessed. Stone cold. Not an inch of fear on their faces, not a hint of doubt. Never have I witnessed athleticism at its finest - basketball players executing the tightest defense possible and clutch play roaring through an arena.

The Chargers cut their 12-point deficit to seven, and the madness began to settle in.

A full-court press defense executed to perfection forced a Lake State turnover before they could even get over the half-court line. The Chargers scored, again and again and again. Chargers were up by one for the first time since 1:42 was left in the first half.

At this point, the Charger fans echoed through the rafters, and they knew they witnessed history. Emotions were high - instead of a section of student fans, we were one student section, doing our best to play as the sixth man in a game for the ages. The game closed with another rebound and two free throws from Cezat. Chargers: 62, Lakers: 60. Cezat finished with another double-double: 17 points and 18 rebounds. The Chargers went on to win the GLIAC crown four days later.

There is nothing in the world I would trade for being a Hillsdale Charger. Not only to witness such greatness, but to also call these athletes my colleagues, my teammates and my friends. Charger athletics have shaped my life for the better, and the experience will never be forgotten. Thanks for cheering and, as always, "Go Chargers."