VALDOSTA, Ga. – Two of the most storied programs in NCAA Division II football will have a two-day joint practice on Mar. 12-13 in Valdosta, Ga.  Valdosta State, winners of four NCAA Division II national titles since 2004 and Grand Valley State, who also has four national titles, will practice together at 7 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 12 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 13, at the VSU Athletic Field House.
 
"We are very excited to host Grand Valley State for two days in March," VSU head football coach Gary Goff said.  "I have been in communication with GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell since both program's seasons were cancelled.  We discussed the possibility of practicing together similar to the format some NFL teams utilize.  I think this unique opportunity to have two historically successful programs practice together is extremely beneficial.  Both schools will benefit from this highly competitive, but controlled situational practice schedule."
 
On Friday, Mar. 12, the teams will begin at 7 p.m. with shells only and will do team stretching utilizing both the turf and grass practice fields.  There will be position drills and 1-on-1's with skelly and team tempo. 
 
Saturday's practice will begin at 2 p.m. and will have a pregame warmup on separate fields.  There will be 1-on-1's and team situational with second and third down plays.  The teams will do special teams, red zone plays and more. 
 
Both VSU and GVSU have the top two winning percentages in the history of NCAA Division II football.  Grand Valley State is 406-143-3 all-time in 49 seasons for a 73.8 winning percentage, while VSU is 304-126-3 in 38 seasons for a 70.6 winning percentage. 
 
Valdosta State went 14-0 in 2018 and won its fourth national championship with a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in McKinney, Texas.  The Blazers were runner-up in the national title game in 2002 against Grand Valley State, while winning the title in 2004, 2007 and 2012 before the 2018 championship.  Grand Valley State has had tremendous success with four national titles to its credit with back-to-back titles in 2002-03 and 2005-06. 
 
The two programs have had numerous players go onto professional football careers, won numerous conference titles and are a combined 61-28 in the NCAA postseason (68.5 winning percentage).  Overall, the two institutions are a combined 710-269-6 all-time for a 72.4 winning percentage. 
 
The practices are free and open to the public, but masks will be required at all times and social distancing measures will be enforced.