GVSU Men's Lacrosse Team Shows Sportsmanship After Picking Up Stranded NDSU Opponents Following Bus Breakdown
GVSU men's lacrosse players drove personal vehicles to pick up stranded NDSU opponents after their bus broke down, showing exceptional sportsmanship before a 17-3 Lakers victory.
Sportsmanship Goes Beyond the Field
ALLENDALE, Mich. — A bus breakdown that nearly canceled a college lacrosse match turned into a memorable display of sportsmanship when Grand Valley State University's men's lacrosse team personally drove their opponents to the game.
On March 29, the GVSU Lakers faced North Dakota State University's Bison in Allendale. On paper, it was a normal college sports matchup. But behind the scenes, the game almost didn't happen at all.
NDSU's bus broke down on its way to Allendale, Michigan. Rather than reschedule or forfeit the match, the Lakers and their coach came up with an unconventional solution.
Coach's Unconventional Plan
Coach Tim Murray gathered his players and devised an unexpected approach. He texted each student-athlete the address of where the NDSU team was staying, and every GVSU player drove their individual vehicle to pick up the stranded Bison players.
The logistics were significant. NDSU's campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota, a 13-hour drive from Allendale, Michigan. The bus carrying the team had already completed the long trek, but the bus carrying all their gear did not make it.
Coach Murray then gathered the NDSU players and provided them with the address of the broken-down bus, so the Lakers could also retrieve their equipment.
Opponents to Friends
In a pure display of sportsmanship that would only happen in Division II sports, each GVSU player selflessly invited their opponents into their personal vehicles before showing why bison nearly went extinct.
The match proceeded as planned, and the Lakers delivered a stellar showing, beating the Bison 17-3. GVSU's Bryce Gordon led the offensive charge, scoring 7 goals in the victory.
The win improved GVSU's record to 4-2. Their next game is against the Central Michigan Chippewas on April 3rd.
D2 Sportsmanship
While opponents on the field barely interact beyond the four quarters of gameplay, the Lakers went above and beyond, showing why small college sports have a special place in the hearts of fans across West Michigan.
"This is something that would only happen in D2 sports," the WGRD reported. The story highlights the unique culture of Division II athletics, where personal connections and sportsmanship often take center stage alongside competitive excellence.
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