Grand Valley State Athletics would like to recognize the outstanding people, voices and accomplishments of our former student-athletes of color in honor of Black History Month.
Mike McFadden was an All-American for the Lakers on the gridiron and established himself as one of the all-time greats.
McFadden was the first two-time winner (2005 and 2006) of the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award. During his career he tallied 229 career tackles, 54.5 tackles for loss (-267) and 34.5 QB sacks (-209) in leading GVSU to a combined record of 52-4 with three National Championships.
In addition to receiving the Upshaw Award in 2005 and 2006, McFadden was named as a First-Team All-American by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Don Hansen's Football Gazette, D2Football.com and Daktronics, Inc. and was named as the Football Gazette's Defensive Lineman of the Year during that two-year stretch. He also received the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Defensive Lineman of the Year and First-Team All-GLIAC honors in back-to-back seasons. McFadden recorded at least one tackle for loss in 30 of his last 39 games and at least one QB sack in 23 of his last 30 games. He concluded his career as the NCAA D-II all-time record holder for career QB sacks with 34.5 and ranked fourth all-time in career tackles for loss with 55.5. He also tied the NCAA all-division record for consecutive games with a QB sacks with 17.
Mike reflects on what being a student-athlete at Grand Valley State meant to him.
What did it mean to you as an individual to have the opportunity to compete in sports?
Ever since I can remember, sports have been an integral part of my life. Growing up, if I wasn't at school or church, I was playing a sport. Sports have consumed countless hours in my life, and has helped shape who I am as a person today. I contribute 75% of my close friends to sports. Sports has given me the opportunity to develop key personally traits that I could not have developed anywhere else.
What did you gain from playing football at GVSU?
I earned a Bachelor's degree without taking out any student loans. My ability to perform at a high level helped me pay my way through college. I left GVSU debt free. My goal is that many generations in my family after me will finish college debt free. Sports does not have to be the avenue, but it has made me realize my job is to create opportunities for my family that previous generations did not have. My vision for my kids would be different without this experience at GVSU.
How did playing football at GVSU shape who you became as an individual?
It Has helped me become a great Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Nephew, Friend, Coworker, Manager, and Employee. I learned what hard work truly looks like. I also learned how to be dependable, to effectively communicate, lead a team to victory, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork - "all for one and one for all together we stand divided we fall, " will always be my motivation to be a team player. I also learned a different level of intensity and courage to be or accomplish anything I have a vision for.
What did you take from your time as a student-athlete at GVSU?
To never become complacent in life. When you wake up every morning, you have been blessed with the opportunity to either get better or worse. To be satisfied will lead to defeat. This sticks with me every single day. I was a part of 4 national championship teams, awarded back to back National Player of the Year awards. I wasn't the biggest, fastest, or strongest but I was taught, determination + dedication = Celebration. I got to celebrate a Bachelor's degree, four National Championships and a trophy case full of individual accolades.
What opportunities did athletics open up for you?
Athletics opened up so many doors for me. I was blessed to have an opportunity to play professional football. I have established life-long friendships, and built business relationships that have been instrumental in developing my professional career. Relationships from playing football has presented opportunities to partner with Fortune 500 companies in business. In my current profession, I have leveraged relationships with my team doctors to work together providing solutions for Orthopedic Trauma Patients. Football has been much larger than winning national championships, and breaking individual records. It has paved a road for current and future success.
What did GVSU football teach you about overcoming adversity, and how has it helped you later in life?
True championship individuals whether it be in sports, business, a relationship, or any other aspect in life, are able to turn negative situations into positive situations. I learned that only the strong survive in adverse situations. If you are able to weather the storm, you come out on top in the end.
