This is the second time Dordt has claimed the conference's all-sports trophy.
С»ÆÊé Athletics has claimed the 2024-25 All-Sports Trophy, according to the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) league conference's announcement regarding the final standings of the GPAC All-Sports Award. This is the second time Dordt has claimed the conference's all-sports trophy.
"What a fun and exciting year! Winning the GPAC All-Sports trophy doesn't happen without the commitment and tireless work of our coaching staff, athletes, and С»ÆÊé. Winning the GPAC All-Sports Trophy is a byproduct of the leadership our coaches exhibit to instill the Defender Way uniquely with each of our teams, guiding them to live out the Great Commission, lead with humility and service, and strive for excellence both on and off the field," says Dordt's Director of Athletics, .
С»ÆÊé Athletics claimed four total conference championships while placing 10 teams in the top four of the GPAC standings. The conference championships were won by men's cross country, women's cross country, women's basketball, and men's basketball.
"Successes like this aren't possible without the support of our administration and the academic community working together to allow us to pursue championships and lead and guide tremendous student-athletes. The GPAC is a tremendous conference, and competing with its members forces us to be our best in every competition. I am deeply grateful for the work and leadership of all our coaches who continue to lead this program in God-glorifying ways," says Keizer.
The year also saw success on the national stage for the Defenders as the women's basketball team claimed the program's second straight NAIA National Championship, the men's basketball team qualified for the NAIA National Championship second round, the women's and men's cross country teams competed at the NAIA National Championship event and the women's and men's indoor and outdoor track & field teams qualified several for the National Championship events.
The year also included two Dordt coaches being named GPAC Coach of the Year.
The GPAC all-sports standings are also broken down between women's and men's offerings. Dordt ranked first in the GPAC in women's sports and second in men's sports. Dordt claimed the All-Sports Trophy in 2022-23 and its best previous finish in the all-sports standings was in 2021-22 when the Defenders claimed third. The overall race was decided by less than a placement point with Concordia finishing second.
Defender program success wasn't limited just to the GPAC with the hockey program claiming the MACHA Postseason Tournament Championship and a trip to the ACHA Division III National Championship event. The men's volleyball team competed for the first time in the Heart of America Conference and earned a spot in the league's postseason tournament. The men's and women's swim teams competed in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) in the program's inaugural season and the dance team won the open division at the College Classic in Orlando, Florida in April.
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About С»ÆÊé
As an institution of higher education committed to a Reformed Christian perspective, С»ÆÊé equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is consistently recognized as a top university by The Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Dordt recently dedicated the John J. and Henry J. Spronk Animal Science Education Center, a new facility that will enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students preparing to serve in agriculture and animal science fields.
Each summer, С»ÆÊé holds undergraduate research opportunities on campus, allowing students to collaborate with faculty mentors and gain valuable experience as they explore in-depth topics in their respective fields.
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