The History of GLIAC Football first-round win over Edinboro University (Pa.) before falling to the University of New Haven (Conn.) in the quarterfinals. The 1992 season marked the beginning of a five-year playoff run for the Bulldogs, with their best performance coming in 1995 after a national semifinal appearance. Grand Valley State made its fourth and fifth D-II postseason trips in 1994 and 1998, respectively. Ashland made its first appearance in the playoffs as a member of the GLIAC in 1997. After being shut out of the playoffs in 1999, the GLIAC posted two teams in the 2000 tournament as Northwood and Saginaw Valley State each made their first D-II postseason appearances. The Timberwolves claimed a first-round victory over Indiana University (Pa.) before falling to Bloomsburg University (Pa.) in the quarterfinals. The 2001 season was historic for the league as two teams made it through the first round of the playoffs. Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State each posted opening-round wins and faced each other in the national quarterfinals. The Lakers won a shoot-out in Allendale (Mich.), 33-30, and cruised to a semifinal win over Catawba College (N.C.). GVSU advanced to the championship game before falling to the University North Dakota, 17-14. The Lakers would redeem themselves in 2002 by claiming the league’s first Division II football national championship. Grand Valley State defeated Valdosta State University (Ga.) in the finals, 31-24. GVSU would repeat as national champions
in 2003. The Lakers knocked off North Dakota in that championship game, 10-3. Three league teams, GLIAC co-champions Michigan Tech and Northwood, along with Grand Valley State, would earn playoff berths in 2004. GVSU fell in the regional finals to North Dakota, 19-15. The 2005 season saw more postseason success for the GLIAC. GVSU, SVSU, and Northwood each gained postseason entrance. The Lakers and Cardinals battled for the Northwest Region title, but GVSU advanced, 24-17, and went on to defeat NW Missouri State, 21-17, in the Division II title game. In 2006 both Northwood and Grand Valley State earned postseason berths. The Lakers ran the table and meet NW Missouri State in the finals, claiming a 1714 victory and winning the leagues’ fourth D-II Championship. GVSU and Ashland earned playoff bids in 2007 and 2008, while 2009 saw Grand Valley State, Hillsdale, and Saginaw Valley State in the D-II postseason. GVSU made an impressive run to the final before falling to NW Missouri State, 30-23. Though many teams have made history for the GLIAC, the league can also boast upon individual accomplishments. In 2002, GVSU quarterback Curt Anes became the GLIAC’s first Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the Division II Player of the Year. Anes led the Lakers to consecutive championship game appearances, helping GVSU to the national title in 2002. The GLIAC had its second Harlon Hill winner when Wayne State running back Joique Bell claimed the honor in 2009.
GLIAC Football Standings 1973 - 1989 1989 1. Grand Valley State ...... 5-0 2. Hillsdale ...................... 3-2 Northern Michigan ...... 3-2 4. Saginaw Valley State ... 2-3 Ferris State .................. 2-3 6. Wayne State ................ 0-5 1988 1. Hillsdale ...................... 5-0 2. Northern Michigan ...... 4-1 3. Grand Valley State ...... 3-2 4. Saginaw Valley State ... 2-3 5. Ferris State .................. 1-4 6. Wayne State ................ 0-5 1987 1. Northern Michigan ...... 4-0 2. Grand Valley State ...... 4-1 3. Ferris State .................. 2-3 Hillsdale ...................... 2-3 Saginaw Valley State ... 2-3 6. Wayne State ................ 0-4 1986 1. Hillsdale ...................... 5-0 2. Grand Valley State ...... 4-1 3. Saginaw Valley State ... 3-2 4. Ferris State .................. 2-3 5. Northwood .................. 1-4 6. Wayne State ................ 0-5
1985 1. Hillsdale ...................... 5-1 2. Saginaw Valley State 4-1-1 3. Grand Valley State ...... 4-2 Ferris State .................. 4-2 5. Northwood ............... 2-3-1 6. Wayne State ................ 1-5 7. Michigan Tech ............ 0-6
1981 1. Grand Valley State ...... 2. Hillsdale ...................... 3. Ferris State .................. Wayne State ................ 5. Northwood .................. Saginaw Valley State .. 7. Michigan Tech ............
6-0 5-1 3-3 3-3 2-4 2-4 0-6
1977 1. Grand Valley State ...... 4-1 2. Wayne State ................ 3-2 3. Ferris State .................. 2-3 Hillsdale ...................... 2-3 Northwood .................. 2-3 Saginaw Valley State ... 2-3
1984 1. Saginaw Valley State ... 6-0 2. Northwood .................. 5-1 3. Wayne State ................ 4-2 4. Hillsdale ...................... 3-3 5. Michigan Tech ............ 2-4 6. Ferris State .................. 1-5 7. Grand Valley State ...... 0-6
1980 1. Hillsdale ...................... 5-1 2. Grand Valley State ...... 4-2 Northwood .................. 4-2 4. Wayne State ................ 3-3 5. Ferris State ............... 2-3-1 6. Saginaw Valley State ... 2-4 7. Michigan Tech ......... 0-5-1
1976 1. Northwood .................. 4-1 2. Ferris State .................. 3-2 Grand Valley State ...... 3-2 Wayne State ................ 3-2 5. Hillsdale ...................... 2-3 6. Saginaw Valley State ... 0-5
1983 1. Saginaw Valley State ... 6-0 2. Hillsdlae ...................... 4-2 Wayne State ................ 4-2 4. Northwood .................. 3-3 Grand Valley State ...... 3-3 6. Michigan Tech ............ 1-5 7. Ferris State .................. 0-6
1979 1. Saginaw Valley State 4-0-1 2. Wayne State ............. 3-1-1 3. Ferris State .................. 3-2 4. Grand Valley State ...... 2-3 5. Northwood .................. 1-4 Hillsdale ...................... 1-4 1978 1. Grand Valley State ...... 5-0 2. Wayne State ................ 4-1 3. Northwood .................. 2-3 4. Sagnaw Valley State . 1-3-1 Ferris State ............... 1-3-1 6. Hillsdale ...................... 1-4
1982 1. Hillsdale ...................... 6-0 2. Grand Valley State ...... 5-1 3. Northwood .................. 4-2 4. Ferris State .................. 2-4 Wayne State ................ 2-4 6. Michigan Tech ............ 1-5 Saginaw Valley State ... 1-5 7
1975 1. Wayne State ................ 3-1 2. Grand Valley State ... 3-1-1 Northwood ............... 3-1-1 4. Hillsdale ...................... 3-2 5. Saginaw Valley State ... 1-3 6. Ferris State .................. 0-5 1974 1. Northwood .................. 2-1 Ferris State .................. 2-1 3. Grand Valley State ...... 1-2 Hillsdale ...................... 1-2 1973 1. Northwood .................. 2-1 2. Ferris State .................. 1-1 3. Grand Valley State ...... 1-2