The undefeated 1984 football team will be honored on a big weekend

football
Oct 24, 2024 10:26:00 am

Alan Babbitt

Hope College will honor Ray and Sue Smith’s undefeated 1984 football team on Saturday, Oct. 26, as part of the college’s “One Big Weekend” homecoming and family celebration.

The 1984 Flying Dutchmen, which finished 9-0, will be honored on the football field between the first and second quarters of Hope’s nationally ranked game against Adrian College at 2 p.m.

Forty years ago, Hope’s 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 in league play en route to an MIAA championship.

The Flying Dutchmen won at Olivet Nazarene University (Illinois), 41-7, at home against DePauw University (Indiana), 34-26, at Carthage College (Wisconsin), 54-7, at home against Albion College, 28- 6, at Kalamazoo College, 45-0, at home against Adrian College, 38-17, at Alma College, 34-29, and at home against Olivet College, 55-0.

Eleven Hope student-athletes earned All-MIAA honors, including Most Valuable Player and quarterback Greg Heeres.

Five others were honored on offense: center Jeff Allen, offensive lineman Jim Behrenwald, wide receiver Brian Oosterhouse, running back Mike Sturm and running back 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/