Michigan’s oldest college newspaper
Vol. 142 Issue 4 - September 20, 2018
www.hillsdalecollegian.com
‘The pressure is on’
Simpson, New Dorm lead the pack of competitors as homecoming week enters its final stretch
By | Carmel Kookogey Assistant Editor Homecoming week is in full swing, and all across campus, dorms — and for the first time, a coalition of off-campus houses — are preparing for the grand finale on Saturday: Mock Rock. With Simpson Residence currently in the lead, the 18 competing teams still have two more events in the Homecoming competition, in which one team will receive 200 points, and the team with the most cumulative points will be awarded the homecoming trophy. The Off-Campus Coalition, a joint team of 14 off-campus houses with approximately 60 people participating, will be the first team of its kind to compete in recent memory, since off-campus houses in previous years have competed individually. “One of the things we’ve got going for us is we have a lot of older students who have been around the block a lot, from all the different dorms,” said junior and Off-Campus Coalition Leader Dietrich Balsbaugh. “We have a lot of
resources available to do really well.” Balsbaugh said the Off-Campus Coalition has been in the works since as far back as last semester, and he met with a few alumni at the beginning of the year to discuss potential strategies. “All revolutions start very quietly. It started with a few of us, we started spreading the word around, not trying to be super noticeable, and then once we got here it was go time, it was time for the revolution to come out, and let campus know that Off-Campus would be rising again. Or rising for the first time, really,” Balsbaugh said. The Coalition’s video submission is meant to mimic the style of filmmaker Wes Anderson, a favorite among Hillsdale students new and old. “We’re going for a subtler, more revolutionary vibe,” Balsbaugh said. Simpson Residence, which has won homecoming the past seven years, is hoping to achieve a win for their eighth year, though other dorms also plan to call this year their own. Simpson head resident
assistant senior Josh Bailey said he thinks the increase of pressure to perform each year provides all the houses with a healthy incentive.
By | S. Nathaniel Grime Sports Editor On Saturday, Sept. 15, Keith Otterbein stood on the sideline for the 179th time as the head football coach of the Hillsdale College Chargers. The stakes were high; the Chargers were on the road, under the lights, facing the No. 12 team in the country. One thing was on Otterbein’s mind: beating the Ohio Dominican University Panthers. The Chargers got the job done and beat the Panthers, 34-18. With the victory, Otterbein became just the third coach in 126 years of Hillsdale football to win 100 games. Now in his 17th season as head coach, Otterbein’s focus has always been the same. The most important game is the one at hand. After Hillsdale’s victory on Saturday, as always, Otterbein’s “24-hour rule” went into effect. No matter the result, win or loss, the team had 24 hours to either celebrate a victory or regret a defeat. Then it’s on to the next one. Saturday’s win was critical because it came against a nationally-ranked opponent on the road, at a place where that opponent hadn’t lost since 2016. Ohio Dominican won the G-MAC last season and is favored to finish first in the conference this year. But for Otterbein, the game meant even more. “That’s a lot of players and coaches. So appreciative of the efforts of so many people for what is given to me as a milestone, when in reality, all those guys were a part of that thing,” Otterbein said. “It’s a tradition of 125-plus years. That’s all part of the bigger picture. Pretty cool for me obviously.” Otterbein’s 100 wins rank only behind Frank “Muddy” Waters and Dick Lowry in the Hillsdale coaching record books. Waters, after whom the Chargers’ stadium is named, won 138 games as head coach from 1954-1973. Lowry won
134 games from 1980-1996. Otterbein is quick to credit the coaches and players he’s worked with during his time at Hillsdale. He’s coached 12 players who went ahead to be either drafted or signed by NFL teams, including current Denver Broncos left tackle Jared Veldheer and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Holmes. He’s coached three GLIAC Players of the Year and one GLIAC Freshman of the Year. He’s led the Chargers to three GLIAC division championships, two conference championships, and two NCAA Division II playoff appearances. He won the GLIAC Coach of the Year award in 2009 and 2011. But he doesn’t spend much time dwelling on his accomplishments. It’s always the next opportunity that propels him forward. “I guess 100 means I’m getting pretty old and have been around a while. But to have been there that long — 17 years — seems like a blink of an eye to me,” Otterbein said. “Proud that it’s here at my alma mater; that sort of thing is cool, but it’s like every other win you’ve ever had where it feels good, but now you start thinking about the next one.” Otterbein played linebacker for the Chargers from 19751978 when he was a student at Hillsdale. His college coaching career began as an assistant for Hillsdale in 1979. He went on to coach at Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, and Ball State University before returning to Hillsdale in 2002. “I’m going to keep coaching as long as I love what I’m doing. I’ve been doing this for 39 years, and I’ve never gone to work,” Otterbein said. “I don’t feel like it’s a job. It’s fun and it’s challenging, and it’s invigorating, and that’s what drives me to come in every day.” Winning 100 games was never a benchmark goal Otterbein was working toward for satisfaction or a sense of accomplishment. It’s just the
tip of the iceberg, a reflection on his unwavering dedication to “the process.” Otterbein appeals to the word “arete”, Greek for excellence. Excellence is at the core of Hillsdale football’s
year they’re like, ‘No way this happens another year,’” Bailey said. “It just builds. But it’s cool in one respect, because all the teams are trying harder
and harder to win, which means that the performance at every homecoming just gets better...And to see the level of competition just go up
throughout the time that I’ve spent here is pretty cool.” Niedfeldt residence RA sophomore Nick Macaluso said as a smaller dorm, it can be hard to get enough people involved and enthusiastic about the competition. Nevertheless, they are not combining with another dorm as in previous years. “Niedfeldt has two things going for it this year,” Macaluso said. “One is a very enthusiastic, energetic group of freshmen, and the other is a very cohesive RA team. It’s because of those two reasons we’ve decided to do homecoming as a dorm, rather than joining with a group, because it gives the residents a sense of ownership over the projects.” He added that the “competitive spirit” is just as preva-
with. He sat as a student in Hillsdale’s classrooms. He’s raised a family of Hillsdale graduates. All three of his children went to Hillsdale after he took the head coaching job. His sons, Steve and Brad, both played football at Hillsdale and are now assistant coaches on their dad’s staff. “We weren’t made to do sports, but we all drifted towards sports, so we’ve got a very sports-oriented family,” Keith Otterbein said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s golf or euchre, we’re going to compete. Our little Hillsdale story is a magnet of all of that family love and dedication Head Football Coach Keith Otterbein led the and passion.” Chargers in the 100th victory. Otterbein’s Ryan Goff | Collegian players recogmission. You can find “arete” nize that passion and credit posted around the the foothis leadership and character ball facilities at the Roche for their success and growth, Sports Complex and “Muddy” both on and off the field. Waters Stadium. To Otterbe“He’s a great coach and in, “arete” means to make the an even better teacher of life most of your opportunities lessons,” senior defensive back and always do your best with- Wyatt Batdorff said. “That’s out reservation. what makes him so great; he “You’ve got one chance. realizes it’s more than just the Prepare your best, do your game. He’s trying to make betbest, and you can live with the ter men. I really respect him results,” Otterbein said. “You and I’m really happy for him.” want to stay focused and you Senior quarterback Chance want to concentrate so the Stewart said Otterbein has results allow you to have not impacted him by believing any regrets, not to say ‘I wish in him. Stewart transferred I would have, I think I could to Hillsdale from Western have.’” Michigan University in 2015 Excellence in life is someand earned the starting job thing Otterbein is familiar halfway through the season.
He’s been the Chargers’ starting quarterback ever since. “When I transferred here, he gave me a opportunity to play quarterback when a lot of coaches didn’t,” Stewart said. “He’s always meant a ton to me because he gave me an opportunity to prove that I could play this position. I’m forever grateful for that opportunity.” Earlier this season, Stewart moved into second place all time in Chargers history for passing yards, and now trails only Troy Weatherhead, who played quarterback under Otterbein from 2007-2010. Stewart takes pride in being “Otter’s quarterback.” “To be his quarterback and help him get his 100th win, it’s pretty cool,” Stewart said. “Really happy for Coach Otter, and happy I was able to be a part of it.” Other players say Otterbein knows how to reach them where they’re at, to get into their mind and treat them right. Junior running back David Graham calls Otterbein “the best coach I’ve ever had.” To win 100 games as a coach for a school you used to play for and attend is rewarding enough. To coach two sons and then coach alongside them is what Otterbein calls “icing on the cake.” But ultimately, what makes an already successful career so worthwhile is that it’s been done the right way. “Life is very short. I must be the corniest guy in the world, but to live life to its fullest and to engage with our guys, to handle myself in the right manner, be a good example to them, teach them life lessons, it’s all rolled into one,” Otterbein said. Otterbein already has more career coaching wins than any coach in the G-MAC. He’ll now try to lead Hillsdale to its first G-MAC championship just a year after the school joined the conference. Saturday’s win against the defending champions was the first step. Now it’s on to the next one.
Homecoming teams competed in a banner contest at the beginning of the week. Carmel Kookogey | Collegian
“Every year the pressure is on for Simpson to outdo themselves, and I think the pressure is also on for the rest of campus because every
lent in Niedfeldt. “We would definitely like to see some new winners, especially coming out of Mock Rock,” Macaluso said. “If blood does make the grass grow, we’d like Simpson to have a nice lawn.” Preparation for Mock Rock has occupied most of the dorms leaders’ time. Off-Campus Coalition has been practicing for two hours a day for the past two weeks, Balsbaugh said, and Simpson and Mauckzing — Mauck and Benzing — also described spending the majority of their time preparing for that event. “Those are the moments that make homecoming really worth it, seeing your team do well, and having it pay off for them. The first day of practice is always awkward...but then there’s that one day when people start to hit the notes, and it’s awesome,” Balsbaugh said. Benzing residence head RA senior Molly Schutte called Mock Rock practice “a picture of what the week is supposed to be like” as a whole. “We get together and we dance, and if we don’t like
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Otterbein wins 100th game as head coach Alumni
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honored with awards By | Stefan Kleinhenz Assistant Editor
Hillsdale College alumni who represent the college in business, a state supreme court, and even in the White House will be presented with awards at the 67th Annual Alumni Award Banquet this weekend. Three alumni will receive awards at the banquet on Sept. 21: White House speechwriter Brittany Baldwin ’12; Michelle Behrenwald ’88, co-chair and co-owner of AIS Construction Equipment; and Will Sellers ’85, appointed as an associate justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2017. An honorary alumni award will also be presented to Professor of Law Robert Blackstock and Lecturer in Economics Jacqueline Blackstock. Baldwin will receive the “Outstanding Young Alumna Award for Conspicuous Achievement in Speechwriting” at the banquet. “As a college student, Brittany Baldwin impressed everyone with her quiet brilliance and her Texas-sized heart,” said Dedra Birzer, lecturer of history. “Her career as a speechwriter, first for Sen. Ted Cruz, and now for President Trump, allows her to bring her Hillsdale education in the good, the true, and the beautiful to a national podium.” Baldwin graduated magna cum laude from Hillsdale with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. She was also voted Outstanding Senior Woman her senior year. Birzer recalled Baldwin’s beautiful writing as a student that carried insightful arguments and conveyed wisdom well beyond her years.
See Awards A3 Look for The Hillsdale Collegian