July 2026

Longshot Leaders: Shea Ruddy and Jacob Vance go from Overlooked to Undeniable for Hillsdale College Football

After three seasons on the field for the Hillsdale College football team, the importance of Shea Ruddy and Jacob Vance to the Chargers is easy to see. Ruddy and Vance have achieved tremendous success as individuals at Hillsdale, but for their final season in 2026, both players have just one goal in mind—to bring home the team’s first championship since 2018.

Special Season: 1985 National Champions Gather for 40th Reunion

When the 1985 Hillsdale Chargers took to the football field, the team knew the season was going to be special. That season, the Chargers celebrated 11 victories. Ironically, the biggest celebration did not come after a win, but a tie. Several teammates returned to Hillsdale during Homecoming Weekend 2025 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that national championship team.

Hometown Hillsdale: Stephanie Umphress Maxwell, ’96

Growing up in Mount Blanchard, Ohio, Stephanie Umphress Maxwell, ’96, knew nothing about Hillsdale College. That changed when she attended a Summit Ministries camp in Colorado at age 16. In 1992, Stephanie made her way to Hillsdale, and still calls Hillsdale home today.