The Hillsdale College football team recognized veterans and active duty military members at its annual military appreciation game last weekend. 

“The reason we are able to come out and play instead of worrying is because of the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” Air Force veteran and alumnus John Williams, ’66, said. 

More than 40 veterans and active duty members attended a Friday night pre-game dinner and more than 70 went to the football game against Lake Erie College on Saturday. Under head coach Keith Otterbein’s leadership, the football program has held military appreciation events annually since 2017. Otterbein credited the growth of the annual event to assistant coach Robert Rardin, a former U.S. Marine.

“Early on, I think it was very informal,” Otterbein said. “It was more word of mouth around Jonesville, Reading, and Hillsdale.” 

Players met Friday with former and current military members at the team’s pre-game meal. 

“This dinner gives our guys the chance to get to know people who volunteered their lives to serve our country,” Rardin said.

Rardin and head coach Otterbein said they believe the football program is not only about the sport but also about individual character growth. 

“We got to talk a lot to them, listen to their stories, connect with them on a personal level,” junior Ty Williams said.

Senior Michael Harding helped greet and direct veterans during the meal.

“This is the biggest turnout we’ve ever had,” he said. “Hearing their stories was something special.” 

Otterbein said the pre-game meal on Friday night is his favorite event of the whole weekend.

“That event gives the veterans the opportunity to see how much the young people in our football program really appreciate their service,” Otterbein said. 

Otterbein and Rardin said they agreed the personal interaction between veterans and the citizens they have volunteered to protect encourages veterans and active duty members about the future of the U.S. 

On Saturday at noon, the football program and Metz Culinary Management  collaborated to provide veterans, active duty members, and their families with cookies, burgers, and beverages at the tailgate party. 

“It’s interesting because we’re getting to mingle with some veterans I don’t know and getting to meet new people,” said former Army combat medic Josh Campbell from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. 

People stood in groups, telling combat stories and laughing at jokes.

“This is the first time we’ve been here, but there are a lot of people and it is really well organized,” veteran Thomas “Sniper” Merkle said. 

Attendees received custom Hillsdale Charger caps with an American flag on them. 

Before the game began, several representatives from local and national veterans organizations and affiliates lined up on the field as the announcer recognized and thanked them on behalf of the college for their bravery and dedication to the country. The American Legion Post 195 of Jonesville served as the color guard during the performance of the “Star Spangled Banner.” 

Williams was selected as an honorary football captain and participated in the pregame coin toss. The Hillsdale Chargers subsequently defeated the Lake Erie Storm 52-21.

“I’m really glad we got a win in front of the veterans,” Harding said. “It’s good to show them a victory here.”