2008 Woodie Awards
After the last buzzer
Rivalries brew in Charger locker rooms after defeats
Jon Fisher
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Sports
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Fierce competition in sports spurs intense rematches. The thick battles for points exhaust both teams mentally and physically. And at the last buzzer, both teams depart yearning to do better, to fight harder the next time they face their opponent. Hence, rivalries are born.
As a small private school hidden in the heart of Michigan, Hillsdale estranges its competitors - rivalries may seem hard to come by.
"We really don't have one particular rival school," said senior Bill Reigner, who plays middle linebacker for the football team. "It's so small and it's got such a high standard."
Rivalries can also be difficult to see because of the amount of competition.
"This is too competitive a league," said Keith Otterbein, head football coach. "The talent is there. The coaching is there."
Rivalries have arisen from the challenges the Chargers have faced over the years.
Perhaps the longest-standing rival to Hillsdale is Grand Valley State University. Across
the spectrum of sports, this giant dominates the playing field.
"Everybody hates the evil empire," Otterbein said. "They're the top dog that everybody wants to knock down."
Otterbein likened Hillsdale to David and Grand Valley to Goliath.
"Grand Valley has won the most but we kind of dethroned them last year," said Chris Gravel, head volleyball coach.
Though the football team does not play Grand Valley this year, the volleyball team is scheduled for a face-off Oct. 13.
The University of Indianapolis has also became into a rival over the years. During Reigner's freshman year, the game lasted into four overtimes before Hillsdale won. Indianapolis came back with a vengeance and won the next two years, he said.
"That's always a good game," he said. "If we take them it will give us a little momentum in the season."
Northwood University can also be a tough rival. The football team has had a long history with them, Otterbein said.
In women's basketball, they thrice opened a wound that demands a rematch, sophomore Brooke Knight said.
As a small private school hidden in the heart of Michigan, Hillsdale estranges its competitors - rivalries may seem hard to come by.
"We really don't have one particular rival school," said senior Bill Reigner, who plays middle linebacker for the football team. "It's so small and it's got such a high standard."
Rivalries can also be difficult to see because of the amount of competition.
"This is too competitive a league," said Keith Otterbein, head football coach. "The talent is there. The coaching is there."
Rivalries have arisen from the challenges the Chargers have faced over the years.
Perhaps the longest-standing rival to Hillsdale is Grand Valley State University. Across
the spectrum of sports, this giant dominates the playing field.
"Everybody hates the evil empire," Otterbein said. "They're the top dog that everybody wants to knock down."
Otterbein likened Hillsdale to David and Grand Valley to Goliath.
"Grand Valley has won the most but we kind of dethroned them last year," said Chris Gravel, head volleyball coach.
Though the football team does not play Grand Valley this year, the volleyball team is scheduled for a face-off Oct. 13.
The University of Indianapolis has also became into a rival over the years. During Reigner's freshman year, the game lasted into four overtimes before Hillsdale won. Indianapolis came back with a vengeance and won the next two years, he said.
"That's always a good game," he said. "If we take them it will give us a little momentum in the season."
Northwood University can also be a tough rival. The football team has had a long history with them, Otterbein said.
In women's basketball, they thrice opened a wound that demands a rematch, sophomore Brooke Knight said.
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