Welcome to today's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football game between the Hope College Flying Dutchmen and Kalamazoo College Hornets. Today is Youth Day at Ray & Sue Smith Stadium. Fans can pick up a free team poster and get post-game autographs on the field after the game has concluded.
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Between the first and second quarters, Hope College football will honor Air National Guard Technical Sergeant Adam Magers at the 50-yard line. The 2001 Hope College graduate currently serves with the 217th Air Operations Group as a mission planner. He also is a full-time civilian Battalion Chief with Battle Creek Fire Department. He was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in 2007 and Ali Al Salem, Kuwait in 2013. Magers was a three-year letterwinner for the Flying Dutchmen and a member of our 1997, 1999 and 2000 MIAA championship teams. He is joined by his wife Erin '02, and their three daughters, Natalie, Nora and Isla.
Hope College is pleased to have as our guest today, Army Infantry Combat Specialist Jeremy VanderVeen of Grand Rapids. After completing basic training in Fort Benning, he entered Army Ranger Training School. The 2001 Grandville High School graduate passed further Ranger training to serve in combat. He was a member of the 125th Infantry Regiment and spent one year serving on missions in Iraq. He and his wife, Leah, have two daughters, Ava and Kate, and are expecting a third child.
The Flying Dutchmen enter on a three-game win streak that's launched them into second games place in the MIAA standings. Hope (4-3 overall) owns a 3-1 league record, while Kalamazoo (2-5 overall) is 0-4 against MIAA opponents.
Hope looks to reclaim the Wooden Shoes Kalamazoo have held with victories in the past two seasons. The Flying Dutchmen lead the all-time series 54-35-6.
The Cadillac High School marching band is performing during today's game. The Vikings are under the direction of Mike Filkins.
Today's officials are assigned by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association: referee John Shay, umpire Michael Underwood, head linesman Chad Jackson, line judge Martin Kolka, side judge Jason Nikkel, field judge Eric Wills and back judge Steve Hendrickson.
Two from Hope were named MIAA Players of the Week on Monday for their performance during a 31-7 homecoming win against Trine: kicker Darren Ford (special teams) and linebacker Aaron O'Meara (defense). This is the second consecutive week Ford received the award and the third time in his career. The honor was the first for O'Meara.
Hope's next game is Saturday, Nov. 5 at Albion at 1 p.m.. The Flying Dutchmen then return home on Saturday, Nov. 12 for a 1 p.m. Senior Day game against nonleague opponent Concordia, Wisconsin.
Join us Monday for the Hope College H-Club Luncheons at Maas Auditorium. The one-hour program featuring two Hope coaches begins at noon. Cost is $10 and includes a buffet lunch. Football coach Peter Stuursma appears weekly through November 7.
Hope fans are invited to the H Club Coaches Winter Sports Preview on Monday, Nov. 14 at Maas Auditorium. Hear from men's basketball coach Greg Mitchell, women's basketball coach Brian Morehouse, men's and women's swimming & diving coach John Patnott and women's tennis coach Adam Ford. Cost is $10 per person and includes buffet lunch.
