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The pursuit of excellence

Excellence requires passion, dedication, and courage—and it isn’t limited to the classroom. On the playing field and the court; in the stadium and the crowd—at Calvin, we fearlessly pursue excellence in all things.

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Learn why Calvin’s dedication to faith and discovery have earned it the rank of #3 among regional midwest universities.

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Quick facts

25
NCAA Division III varsity sports teams

Largest
NCAA Division III arena

Top 10
in the NCAA Division III for Academic All-Americans

40 ft.
height of Calvin's rock wall—modeled after Kentucky's Red River Gorge

Sports team options

Serious about sports

Varsity sports bring out the passion of the Calvin community. Calvin has an NCAA Division III athletics program, and Calvin student-athletes rise to national recognition on a regular basis. Calvin has been in the top ten NCAA finishers more than 100 times. The famous rivalry between Calvin and nearby Hope College has been recognized as a national phenomenon in Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and The New York Times.

Men’s varsity

Women’s varsity

Athletic Recruitment Information

Club sports

Men’s Club Soccer | Recruit
Men’s Rugby | Recruit
Women’s Rugby | Recruit

Hannah Biddlecome in her Calvin University softball uniform holding a bat behind her head across her shoulders with both hands

“I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue athletics in college. I visited bigger schools and felt small. DIII has been the best fit for me—I could keep my academic and career aspirations at the front while continuing to compete at an athletically high level.”Hannah | Film production
and communication major

Athletics facilities

Home of the Knights

Van Noord Arena

Everyone loves our 5,000-seat arena, which plays host to Division III national championships and MHSAA finals to concerts, convocations, graduations, keynote speakers, and banquets. Whether you’re here for a quick practice or a sold-out game, this state-of-the-art facility will have you playing your best.

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A court-level view of the arena during a basketball game.

An overhead view of the court during a basketball game.

A look down on a packed arena during a volleball game.

A side shot of the entire arena, empty of all activity, showing the stands and bleachers.

A look down on the court during a basketball game, with a packed arena.

An interior shot of one of the booths, showing tables and windows overlooking the court.

Calvin's mascot, Joust the Knight, running by and riling up the crowd, with cheering fans behind him.

A shot of the pool from behind the diving boards as divers prepare to jump.

Looking down on the pool lanes as swimmers race.

An exterior shot of the Venema center, dusk, with a beautiful blue-purple sky overhead.

A pool-level wide shot of the arena, with maroon and gold banners hung over the pool.

Swimmers poised and ready to make their initial leap into the pool during a race.

A wide shot of the Venema Aquatic Center

Swimmers in their lanes, splashing in the water during a race.

A swimmer lounging in the pool, arms over the sides.

A wide shot of the climing center, also showing the international flags hung in the lobby where viewers watch climbers.

A female student climbing the wall, reaching for the next hand hold.

A climbing instructor demonstrating to students at the base of the wall.

Two male students ascending the wall, talking.

A female student managing ropes at the base of the wall.

A wide view of a few students climbing the wall.

Students exercising on the elliptical machines.

A wide shot of the fitness center showing the many elliptical and treadmill machines.

A wide view of the fitness center, amongst the workout benches and racked weights.

A female kinesiology student demonstrating an abdominal hold.

A male student using the tricep ropes machine.

An exterior shot of the Morren fitness center with a cerulean blue sky overhead.

A student smiling at the camera as she holds a stretch/pose.

A wide shot of the indoor track, with two people walking in the far distance.

A wide shot of the track, with the sand pit in the foreground.

A female runner posing for the camera, smiling.

Another view of the tennis courts and track.

Aerial shot of Zuidema field, showcasing leaves turning colors and a freshly-mowed lawn.

Soccer player kicking a ball, leg outstretched.

Calvin soccer fans lined up at fence, watching a match.

Men's soccer player running arms outstretched, cheering after a goal.

Aerial shot of the field at dusk, illuminated by lights.

Male soccer player leaping, controlling the ball.

Women's soccer team gathered in group huddle.

Owen Varnado highlighting his Calvin University basketball uniform

“Division III has been a good fit for me because it has allowed me to have so many great opportunities. I can play the most competitive basketball I have ever played while receiving a fantastic education.”Owen | Economics major

Athletic & Recreational Opportunities

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Kinesiology professor demonstrating on a white board in front of class.

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Volleyball intramurals in the Hoogenboom gym.

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Kayaks sitting next to a campsite where students are sitting around a campfire in the dark.

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Young softball camp participant pitching underhand.

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A female student in the dance studio, flipping her hair to one side, smiling.

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Group fitness participants on stationery bikes at Calvin University.

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Our approach to athletics

Higher expectations

Academics above all else

Academic excellence is the number one priority of every athlete and team. Calvin’s student-athletes have received CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-American honors over 150 times—with nine in 2022–2023 alone (which is a new school record)!

Skills for life

Physical activity, whether it takes place on our number-one volleyball team or a weekend backpacking with friends, develops skills and habits that inform leadership, problem-solving, and relationship-building.

Grace in competition

We never lose sight of the God we play for. Even in the heat of competition, Calvin Knights model sportsmanship and grace, honoring the Lord in all we do.

Joy in motion

Join intramural teams, group fitness activities, or one of three dance-oriented student organizations. The largest student organization on campus, Dance Guild, stages four sold-out performances every year.

Athletics

ACADEMIC OPTIONS

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Apply to Calvin

Visit Calvin

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Costs & Financial Aid

Quick facts

Sports team options

Serious about sports

Men’s varsity

Women’s varsity

Club sports

Athletics facilities

Home of the Knights

Van Noord Arena

Athletic & Recreational Opportunities

Jump right in

Our approach to athletics

Higher expectations

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