The Hillsdale College athletic department is pleased to announce the first honoree of its new "Homegrown Charger" program -- former Hillsdale athlete and graduate Larry Covey.

The Homegrown Charger award seeks to honor past Hillsdale College athletes who grew up in Hillsdale County, went to high school locally, and then enrolled at the college and excelled on the playing field for the Chargers. After graduation, these worthy individuals go on to make a difference in their communities, in keeping with the Hillsdale College Athletic Department's goal that it's not what they accomplish in their four years here that's most important for our student athletes, but what they go on to do in the next 40 years after earning their degree.

As the first recipient of the Homegrown Charger award, Covey will be honored during a pre-game ceremony on Oct. 18 before the Hillsdale football team's 1 p.m. kickoff against Northwood.  

"We are starting the 'Homegrown Charger' award because we want to recognize and tell the story of great Chargers who grew up here in Hillsdale County, represented local high schools with pride, starred here at Hillsdale College and then went on to make an impact in the world after graduation," Hillsdale College Athletic Director John Tharp said. "Our athletics program at Hillsdale College has been blessed to have so many great student-athletes from right here in this community who have made our programs better and competed at a high level in their sports.

"I can't think of anyone better to be the first recipient of this honor than Larry Covey, who has lived an outstanding life and who represents everything this award is meant to be."

A 1965 graduate of Hillsdale College, Covey certainly fits the criteria established for the award. He grew up in Hillsdale County and was a three-sport star at Hillsdale High School, especially in football, where he earned All-State and Sporting News Honorable Mention All-American honors for his exploits on the gridiron for the Hornets.

Covey originally had his sights set on the dominant college football power in Michigan in the 60s, the Michigan State Spartans, but when neither they nor Western Michigan had a scholarship available for him, legendary Hillsdale head coach Frank "Muddy" Waters was ready and waiting to secure the services of a talented athlete in his own backyard.

As a football player at Hillsdale, Covey was a feared player in the secondary, a four-year letter-winner and the team's 1962 Outstanding Defensive Back. He contributed heavily to four straight winning seasons for the then-Dales who had just departed the MIAA to become an independent and were playing difficult schedules against much larger foes, including programs like Central Michigan, Youngstown State and Northern Illinois. With Covey's help, Hillsdale held its own against these football powerhouses.

Covey was recruited to play football at Hillsdale, but his phenomenal athleticism made him an impact contributor in a variety of sports. His greatest success came with the Hillsdale track and field team, where he set six new program records, including the discus (135'10") and was co-captain of a 1965 Dales squad that went undefeated in dual meets.

Covey also played two years of basketball and one year of wrestling at Hillsdale, and was twice the recipient of Hillsdale's Kimball Medal awarded annually to the top male athlete on campus.

After graduation, Covey's athleticism got him attention from the NFL, as he signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and went through training camp with the squad in 1965.

Following that experience, Covey returned to the state of Michigan, teaching and coaching at the high school level at Dowagiac and Jackson High School. He eventually returned to Hillsdale where he taught in the local school system and was an assistant coach for the Chargers for eight years.

In 1977, Covey, his wife, Cheryl and their three daughters moved to Arizona. Originally intending to continue teaching, he instead found work in construction, starting as a worker on home remodels, and working his way up to becoming a construction superintendent. Eventually, Covey opened his own construction business in 1996 and worked for a decade in Arizona constructing residential homes in the Santa Fe style.

Covey retired in 2006 and now resides with Cheryl, who he met while at Hillsdale and has been married to for 62 years, in Gold Canyon, Arizona. He remains close to his three daughters and has been blessed with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He remains an avid supporter of Hillsdale College.

Those looking to support Covey as he receives this honor can purchase tickets to the Northwood football game at this link.