Lakers win national championship

In dramatic fashion, Grand Valley's Lakers won the NCAA Division II football title on December 14 with a 31-24 win over Valdosta State University.

The game was tied, 24-24, with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter when quarterback Curt Anes threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to his favorite target, David Kircus.

While Anes owned the day on Friday, winning the Harlon Hill Trophy as the country's best DII football player, Saturday belonged to Kircus. The junior wide receiver caught 11 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns, extending his all-division record for TD receptions in a season to 35.

More than 5,000 GVSU fans made the trip to Florence, Alabama, for the game. Football alum Jim Schaap said the support from alumni and other Laker fans was 'phenomenal.'

'I'm very proud of where this program has come,' he said. 'This is just great for all of West Michigan.'

Schaap was one of the first Lakers to play professional football after he signed with the Detroit Wheels of the World Football League. Schaap was inducted into the Laker Hall of Fame in 1992.

Schaap's involvement with the team will continue on another level. As a sales representative for Jostens, he'll help coordinate the design of the championship rings for players and coaches.