ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State men's and women's basketball teams will become Sawyers for a day in the return of the fourth-annual faux-back event, presented by Campus View, on Saturday, February 12. Donning the flannel, the women will tip at 1 PM with the men following at 3 PM in a doubleheader at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena against the Michigan Tech Huskies.
 
Fans can enjoy an exclusive beer garden prior to the doubleheader from 11 AM until the start of the women's game at 1 PM. A $15 package, available for purchase online here, includes access to the heated tent, three drink tickets and a game ticket to the doubleheader. Smoke N Ash's food truck will be on hand as well for fans to purchase food during the pregame festivities.
 
Preordered packages will be available for pickup at the beer garden will call, located in Lot C just outside the arena. There will also be an exclusive entrance to the back side of the arena for fans entering from the garden for added convenience. Please bring ID as all package purchasers must be 21+ years of age.
 
Fans are encouraged to dress in flannel for the games and use the hashtag #FearTheFlannel on social media. The Sawyer mascot fan contest returns, plus plenty more lumber-themed fun, as the Lakers honor what could have been and turn Lakers for a Lifetime into Sawyers for a day!
 
What is a Sawyer? A sawyer is like a lumberjack, someone who saws wood.
 
Why the Sawyers? In 1965, Grand Valley leaders asked the public to help choose a mascot; students would vote from six final names — Bruisers, Warriors, Bluejays, Ottawas, Archers and Voyagers. A late write-in vote, Lakers, was submitted by student Annie Kate McDonald. The Lakers won by 11 votes. In 1969, there was a push by students to change the mascot and proposed names included Sawyers. By that year, Grand Valley's eight athletic teams had uniforms printed with "Lakers" and support for the name change died down.