GVSU fans gather to watch big game

ALLENDALE, Mich. — Alumni and fans of Grand Valley State University football will gather from coast-to-coast to root for the Lakers as they square off against Northwest Missouri State in Saturday's NCAA Division II national championship game.

The Lakers will be in familiar territory — Florence Alabama's Braly Stadium — for the game. This is the sixth time since 2001 Grand Valley has made it to the championship game. The team won back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003, repeating that feat in 2005 and 2006.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET/noon CT. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 HD beginning at 1 p.m. ET. So far around Michigan, 16 watch parties have been scheduled. A dozen parties are set for cities around the country, including Washington, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale. For more information on the championship game and related events, visit www.gvsu.edu/lakerfootball.