GVSU Powers ThunderHawks Turnaround
April 17, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Michigan Thunderhawks News Release
Grand Rapids, Michigan - Over the past four years, the West Michigan ThunderHawks professional indoor football team has gone through many changes. They have changed leagues, locations and even the name of the organization. One thing that has not changed, however, is the belief that some of the best talent in the country can be found in their own backyard at Grand Valley State University.
The Division II powerhouse, located in Allendale, capped off an amazing decade of dominance with yet another appearance in the national championship game last fall. Since 2001, the Lakers have made nine playoff appearances, leading to six title games and four NCAA crowns (2002, '03, '05, and '06). Over 20 former Lakers have appeared in a Muskegon Thunder/West Michigan ThunderHawks uniform since 2007 including current head coach Terry Foster (played at GVSU 1998-2001). The Detroit native, a three-time All-GLIAC defensive back, was on the 2001 GVSU squad that opened the floodgates of prosperity. He was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Thunder's inaugural campaign and also suited up as a player later that season. Mike Wilford, a two-time All-American (2001, '03) tackle at GVSU was one of the first players signed in '07 to anchor the Thunder's offensive line. He is now Foster's assistant head coach and line coordinator. Drew Burton, a three-time Lakers letterwinner (2003, '04, '06) followed suit, playing for the Thunder the last two seasons and joining the ThunderHawks' coaching staff in 2010 as offensive line coach/ run game coordinator and director of college and professional scouting. It's no surprise the Lakers have had three outstanding quarterbacks over the past decade and all have links to Michigan's only remaining indoor football team. Curt Anes, the 2002 Harlon Hill Trophy winner (Division II's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy), led the Lakers to their first title and now serves as the ThunderHawks co-offensive coordinator. Leading the IFL's top scoring unit in 2010 is Brad Iciek, the GLIAC's reigning Offensive Back of the Year for his stellar senior season last fall. Iciek is currently among the IFL's offensive leaders in several categories including first in passing yards per game. Cullen Finnerty, who guided GVSU to three titles in his four years as a starter, played for the Thunder in 2009. Former Lakers playing alongside Iciek this year are LB/DL Anthony Adams (All-American 2006, '07), K David Hendrix (All-American 2003), DB Corey Edwards (All-Conference 2008) and WR/DB Terry Mitchell (All-Conference 2006). Sean Stevens (All-Conference 2006, '07), who played with the Thunder in 2008 and '09, began the season with the ThunderHawks before moving on to the Cleveland Gladiators (AFL). Last year, K Scott Greene (All-American 2004) set an IFL record for most fields made in one game with seven (8 attempts), no small feat in the indoor game where goal posts are only 10 feet wide and arena ceilings can wreak havoc with trajectory. Another former Laker that holds a special honor with the Thunder is Brent Lesniak (All-Conference 1999, '01; 2nd in career all-purpose yards). The Dowagiac native has the distinction of scoring the indoor franchise's first-ever touchdown as the Thunder downed Summit County 42-21 on March 24, 2007. Lesniak played with Muskegon in 2007 and '09 and propelled the Kalamazoo Xplosion to the CIFL finals in '08. The list continues with former GVSU All-Americans Willie Gray (1999, '00, '03) Lucius Hawkins (2003, '04), Derrick Phillips (2003), DeJuanne Boone (2004) and Jonn Mathews (2008); Former All-Conference performers include Jacob Henige (2006, '07) and Preston Garris (2007). Rounding out the list are Courtney Partee, Alonzo Wilson and Jason Schmiedeknecht. Off to their best start in franchise history, the ThunderHawks (3-1) hope the Grand Valley State winning mystique and tradition will continue to rub off on their indoor squad. West Michigan will next play home at the DeltaPlex Arena on Saturday, April 17th versus the Green Bay Blizzard (5-1).
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