The 1983 Hamilton Hawkeyes and the football season that proved they could handle the tough OK Blue Conference.
By: Bryce Lubinski
In the fall of 1983, something special was brewing for the Hawkeyes. Led by Coach Herbig, the team finished 6-3 with a 4-3 conference record. The team held a future NFL player and would be the start of assembling next season’s 7-0 conference record.
The team had a great offensive season, scoring 209 total points and averaging 23.2 points per game, while the rest of the conference averaged a total of 15.2 points per game. The only team that averaged more than them was the Comstock Park Panthers with 31.1 points per game. The defensive side was great too, allowing only 100 points in the whole season, averaging only 11.1 points against them per game.
This record 6-3 season was their best year so far other than the year 1978, when they went 7-2; however, in 1978, they only scored a total of 129 points, only about half of what they scored in 1983.
1983 was also a season of firsts for the Hawkeyes. 1983 is the only season Hamilton Varsity Football has beaten Hudsonville; the teams have met 12 times, but 1983 is still the only season Hamilton has overcome them. 1983 was also the first time Hamilton beat Zeeland East. Before 1983, Hamilton was 0-9-1 against them, and it looked like Zeeland would always dominate this rivalry, yet in 1983 Hamilton denied Zeeland from scoring and ended the game 16-0 for Hamilton’s first win against Zeeland East.
Another big part of this season was #75, Kevin Haverdink. Kevin was an offensive tackle for the Hawkeyes; in 1983, he was a senior on the Varsity football team and a leader for the whole team to look up to. Kevin went on to go to Western Michigan and, in 1989, was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 5th round. He is still the only NFL player to come from Hamilton.
The 1983 football season remains a season to remember for Hamilton. It wasn’t just about the wins or the losses, but about the memories and accomplishments of the team. Even now, it’s a great reminder of what hard work and dedication can get you.