Lebanon, IL - The McKendree University Football team made a brief unofficial return to the campus in Lebanon on Saturday afternoon for the annual Great Lakes Valley Conference Football Kickoff at McKendree's Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. The Bearcats were represented by third-year Head Coach Jason Rejfek, linebacker Nick Bova, and wide receiver Quincy Hall Jr.. Later in the afternoon, McKendree was also picked tied for sixth in the GLVC Preaseason Poll. 

ANNUAL GLVC FOOTBALL KICKOFF
The Bearcats were able to participate in numerous rotating stations. The day started by Hall breaking down an offensive play of choice from the 2025 season and Bova breaking down a defensive play of choice. Hall chose Eddie Clark's game-winning touchdown that capped a remarkable 94-yard drive to win the game at Southwest Baptist. Bova chose a sack in the Bearcats' game at UIndy. 

Pace picked up at the second station, where Bova and Hall battled it out in a game of EA Sports' College Football 27. Each player got one drive apiece, and it would come down to a 'game'-ending interception. 

The creative minds began turning over to the Media Day station where the Bearcats had some poses to think of for some entertaining pictures. 

From there, frequent McKendree broadcaster Colin Suhre was assisting the GLVC in hosting each team's press conference. 

Down the hall, the Bearcats had to guess what their teammates would answer to varying questions about themselves, such as Bova saying the thing he couldn't live his life without ketchup, to Coach Rejfek enlightening the players about his logic behind his pregame music being the Dave Matthews Band before he took the field with the Bearcats in the late 2000's and early 2010's. 

McKendree then had to put their artistry skills to the test, with Bova and Hall instructued to attempt to paint the other teammate, then reveal their painting at the end. 

On the other side of the room was a Hand Speed Challenge, where Bova, Hall, and Coach Rejfek all had to try and catch all six randomly dropping sticks. 

One of the last things the Bearcats did was guessing what was inside a box, of course, without the power of sight. Guesses ranged from items as calm as Hall guessing a kicking tee to Bova guessing a loofah. The findings weren't as kind to Coach Rejfek, who was surprised by a full bowl of cereal, milk included.

FULL KICKOFF EVENT ALBUM: CLICK HERE

2026 GLVC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
The Great Lakes Valley Conference publicly revealed its 2026 Coaches' Preseason Poll as the kickoff event was winding down. The Bearcats were picked in a tie for sixth with Southwest Baptist, receiving 27 points. Last year, McKendree went 4-7 overall and 4-4 in the conference, the latter good for a three-way tie for fourth place with Missouri S&T and Quincy. 

UIndy was picked to repeat as the GLVC Champion, picking up seven of the nine coaches' votes. Truman State picked up the other two. The Greyhounds are scheduled to depart the conference at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year. 

FULL POLL
1st | UIndy Greyhounds | 63 points
2nd | Truman State Bulldogs | 58 points
3rd | Upper Iowa Peacocks | 46 points
4th | Missouri S&T Miners | 40 points
5th | Quincy Hawks | 33 points
T-6th | McKendree Bearcats | 27 points
T-6th | Southwest Baptist Bearcats | 27 points
8th | William Jewell Cardinals | 22 points
9th | Lincoln Blue Tigers | 8 points

The Bearcats open the season on Thursday, August 27th at 6:00 PM on the road at Saginaw Valley State in University Center, MI. For the full 2026 season schedule, click HERE.