Photo Gallery | Lubbers Stadium
The Jamie Hosford Football Center, named for a Laker football alumnus, went through a complete renovation and a new building was added to the existing football center to create the finest football facility in Division II. The enhancements to the Jamie Hosford Football Center will help recruit prospective student-athletes, while providing the university's current 575 student-athletes access to an updated athletic and rehabilitation training room.
Head football coach Matt Mitchell called the facility "a big home win" and a championship-level experience for student athletes and coaches.
"We talk a lot about doing things at a championship level," Mitchell said. "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."
Hosford, who died in 2014 after a battle with cancer, 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.
-- Hosford Football Center highlights:
• 22,000-square-foot building that includes a new building added on to a complete renovation of the existing football center.
• Expanded team lockerroom that houses 120 lockers.
• New athletic training/rehabilitation room.
• Complete all-team meeting room with 120 theater style seats for full team meetings and film review. Room can be divided into two meeting spaces and can host small groups throughout the year.
• Champions Lobby: Visitors at the building's entrance will see team and individual trophies, jerseys of Laker football players who played professionally and names of building donors.
• Five position meeting rooms: These spaces will be used by position groups like wide receivers or defensive linemen, and position coaches will have dedicated spaces to meet with individual recruits.
• New equipment room with storage and laundry.
The donor-funded expansion campaign was led by honorary chairs President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly. 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."
