March 31, 2010

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State entered the second week of spring practice Monday (March 29) at the Laker outdoor practice fields. GVSU, which has completed six of its 15 alloted spring practices, will continue with drills until the annual spring game set for April 17 at Lubbers Stadium.

"I am pleased with what we have been able to accomplish through our first six practices," said first-year head coach Matt Mitchell. "Our intensity has been impressive and I really like our focus and attention to detail on both sides of the ball," added Mitchell.

The Lakers have an intense battle at quarterback as a group of six are competing for the job. Three freshmen, Taylor Copacia, Isiah Grimes and Heath Parling, along with transfers Kyle McMahon (Eastern Michigan) and Dan Stiefel (Saginaw Valley State) are participating in spring drills. Marquel Neasman, a three-year letterwinner who is not participating in spring practice, will join the competition in the fall.

"We have a nice competition going on at quarterback and coach (Eric) Koehler is really working hard to find what quarterback gives us the best chance to be productive as an offensive unit when we tee it up in the opener versus West Texas A&M," said Mitchell.

GVSU returns 40 lettermen and 17 starters for the 2010 season.