Football
Alan Babbitt
Hope College will honor the 1984 undefeated football team on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Ray and Sue Smith during the college’s One Big Weekend homecoming and family celebration.
The 1984 Flying Dutchmen, who went 9-0, will be recognized on the football field between the first and second quarters of nationally-ranked Hope’s 2 p.m. game vs. Adrian College.
Forty years ago, the Hope football team became the second in program history to finish a regular season undefeated. The 1975 team went 8-0-1.
In 1984, Hope defeated nine opponents by a combined score of 363-116. Five of those wins came during league play en route to an MIAA championship.
The Flying Dutchmen won at Olivet Nazarene University (Illinois), 41-7, at home vs. DePauw University (Indiana), 34-26, at Carthage College (Wisconsin), 54-7, at home vs. Albion College, 28-6, at Kalamazoo College, 45-0, at home vs. Adrian College, 38-17, at Alma College, 34-29, and at home vs. Olivet College, 55-0.
Eleven of Hope’s student-athletes earned All-MIAA honors, including Most Valuable Player and quarterback Greg Heeres.
Five more were honored on offense: center Jeff Allen, offensive lineman Jim Behrenwald, wide receiver Brian Oosterhouse, running back Mike Sturm, and running Tom Van Heest.
On defense, defensive lineman Thurland Cole, defensive end Tim Hansen, defensive back Scott Jecmen, defensive lineman Blaine Newhouse, and linebacker,Mike Stewart/
