HERO Sports 50 States Of Football

HERO Sports, an online publicaton, ranked all 671 football teams across the four divisions of college football to come up with the top football programs in the United States, with each state crowing a state title holder. Grand Valley State was named the top program in Michigan, regardless of division. GVSU's point total of 20.6 ranked them ninth in the country among all the state winners.

HERO Sports came up with a criteria and scoring system that takes into account recent and historical success in order to rank every team in the sport. The scoring system was relative to success within each team's division, so every team would get a fair shot at their state's title.

Scores were based on the following criteria:

Winning Percentage (since 2010) x 10

Each Conference Championship (Since 2000): 0.5 points

National Championships (Since 1960): 1 point

MVP Awards (Heisman/Payton/Hill/Gagliardi): 1 point

AFCA Coach of the Year Awards: 1 point

Grand Valley State has been one of the top football programs in the country regardless of division. The Lakers have the top all-time winning percentage in the history of NCAA Division II football and since 2001 the Lakers have reached new heights. GVSU has won four National Championships, made six title game appearances, advanced to the semifinals nine times, won 10 GLIAC Championships and posted an overall record 172-28 (.860) since 2001. 

In addition to team success, the Lakers have garnered individual honors as well with one Harlon Hill Award winner (Curt Anes) as top player in the country, four Gene Upshaw Award winners (Mike McFadden twice, Brandon Barnes, Matt Judon) as the top interior lineman in the country and one Rimington Award winner (Matt Armstrong) as the top center. Grand Valley State has also received  212 all-american honors on the gridiron since the 2001 campaign. Brian Kelly and Chuck Martin were both named the AFCA National Coach of the Year during their time at GVSU. 

Grand Valley State has also led the nation (DII) in attendance for five consecutive years, including 2015 when the Lakers averaged 12,365 per home game.