By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
Grand Valley State University’s head football coach Matt Mitchell called the recently renovations and expansion of the Jamie Hosford Football Center “a big home win” — and considering the Lakers’ NCAA Division 2 all-time home record is 171–38–1, Mitchell, his players and local fans know a home win when they see one.
More than 400 people — including ex-GVSU and current Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly — celebrated the dedication of improvements football center on June 19, improvements which, according to supplied material, “will help recruit prospective student athletes while providing the university’s current 575 student athletes access to an updated athletic and rehabilitation training room.”
“We talk a lot about doing things at a championship level,” Mitchell said in supplied material. “Our student athletes are champions on and off the field. They deserve the best facilities to support their hard work. Jamie’s spirit will live in this building. He had an infectious energy.”
The facility is named for Laker football alumnus Jamie Hosford, who died in 2014 after a battle with cancer, but in his GVSU career earned 12 varsity letters and All-American honors in football and wrestling. He was inducted into the GVSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. After graduating in 1977, Hosford worked for Rockford Public Schools for 25 years.
Renovations to the two-story, 22,000-square-foot building include an expanded locker room, larger athletic training/rehabilitation room, all-team meeting room, and spaces for equipment maintenance, storage and laundry.
Keri Becker, GVSU director of athletics, said the facility honors the tradition of past football champions while setting the atmosphere for more achievements.
“It will serve as a daily challenge to coaches and student athletes on how to live like a champion,” she said. “Relationships will be cultivated inside this building. This facility will help make the players a team and a family.”
The donor-funded expansion campaign was led by honorary chairs President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers and Kelly, who coached the Lakers from 1991-2003.
“This facility supports students athletes,” Kelly said. “Grand Valley has always been about finding the best resources for students, and student athletes.”
Gloria Hosford, Jamie’s wife, said her family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for this project. “Words cannot express how proud we are and what an honor this is for Jamie,” she said. “Laker pride is definitely deep, deep, deep in our family.”
GVSU, with the winningest NCAA Division II football program, finished the 2018 season with a 10-2 record and an appearance in the playoffs for the 19th time in program history.
More information about the Hosford Football Center is available here.
