Nov. 17, 2002

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State University will open the 2002 NCAA Division II National Championship playoffs at home on Saturday (Nov. 23) at 1 p.m. versus C.W. Post it was announced Sunday night. GVSU (10-0) is the number one seed in the Northeast Region, while C.W. Post (11-0) comes in as the number four seed. Second-seeded Indiana University of Pennsylvania (10-1) will host third-seeded Saginaw Valley State (9-2).

"We are extremely excited to get the playoffs going," said 12th-year head coach Brian Kelly. "This team accomplished its first goal of winning the 2002 GLIAC Championship, but now it is time to turn our focus on C.W. Post and the NCAA Division II Playoffs."

Grand Valley State, which played in the 2001 NCAA Division II National Championship Game, has won 26 straight regular season games and 19 consecutive home games. GVSU is led by Harlon Hill candidate Curt Anes and a host of All-America candidates on both offense and defense. C.W. Post enters the game undefeated in 11 regular season games. Harlon Hill Candidate Ian Smart leads the offense as the top rusher in Division II football.

"We are now at the point of the season we have looked forward to since the championship game a year ago," said Harlon Hill candidate Curt Anes. "We set goals at the start of the season and the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs is next in line."

Tickets for Saturdays game will go on sale Monday (Nov. 18) at 9 a.m. and can be purchased at the main athletic office in the GVSU Fieldhouse. For additional ticket information please call (616) 895-3259.