Defender Athletics

Your support of the Dordt Baseball team through the Defender Gold Club is vital to the success of our program. The Defender Gold Club provides support to the program above and beyond our traditional operating expenditures. It will assist in the growth of The Defender Way within our program as we strive to build a championship-level program and develop kingdom-focused men.

Donations to the Defender Gold Club provide the necessary resources to compete for GPAC titles. It will allow us to enhance the ways we build young men off the field. The objectives outlined below are critical to our program needs and will aid in our quest of GPAC titles and the development of the whole person.

Current Needs

FungoMan

FungoMan’s training technology has the fielding and pitching capabilities you need for dependable, accurate, and efficient repetitions for infield, outfield, and batting practice. Each machine powerfully delivers the types of fungoes fielders and hitters want to see—game-like. But, the real magic happens when athletes and coaches use the technology to advance faster than the competition. This will help our coaches to be able to do more coaching instead of throwing batting practice or hitting fungos.

Defender Gold Club Scholarships

Baseball recruiting is unlike any other sport when it comes to financial aid and the effect the MLB and minor leagues have on recruiting. The ability to use the Defender Gold Club to attract student athletes who fit the mission of Dordt University and possess a high level of talent is a difference-maker for Defender Baseball.

Thank you for your support of Dordt Men’s Basketball. The Defender Way is very important to us as we serve each other, teach the younger generation in our area and abroad, work hard in our academic programs with a faith foundation, and still chase championships as a basketball program.

Funds contributed to the Men’s Basketball program will improve the athletic experience by providing opportunities to fulfill our mission and to serve younger generations through the game of basketball. Dollars will go toward our summer service trip and scholarships.

Thank you for your interest in Defender Men’s Basketball and considering a gift that will make a direct impact in the lives of our student athletes and in God’s kingdom.

Current Needs

Brandon Oldenkamp Memorial Scholarship

In the summer of 2010, Brandon Oldenkamp, a student on the men’s basketball team at Dordt, passed away in a tragic hiking accident. Brandon’s legacy was one of being a tremendous teammate, hard worker, and humble servant. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who displays the same kind of self-sacrifice that Brandon had. For this scholarship to have a continued impact in honoring and remembering Brandon, it needs to reach $50,000 to become endowed.

Summer Service Trip

Each summer the Men’s Basketball program partners with an elementary school in Minneapolis or Chicago to host a free basketball camp. This experience is transforming for our team, providing an opportunity to serve and be the hands and feet of Christ. It also allows us to build team chemistry and develop servant leadership among our players and coaches.

Defender Gold Club Scholarships

The ability to offer additional scholarships for athletics through the Defender Gold Club allows our program to be competitive in a very tight market. This allows us to attract great students and exceptional athletes who fit the Defender Way and have the ability to make an impact in our program and across campus.

Contact

Brian Van Haaften
Men's Varsity Basketball Coach
RC 127C
(712) 722-6370
Brian.VanHaaften@dordt.edu

Since 2012, the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams have combined to earn eight conference championships and had three individual champions. We use The Defender Way to approach athletics. Our measure of success is more than the pursuit of championships. Cross Country strives to build servant leaders that pursue academic excellence and strive to live into the Great Commission which is foundational to the work ethic, team unity, and fellowship that student athletes experience. This personal growth and spiritual development are what we desire for our current and future Defenders.

The generous gifts that we receive from alumni, parents, and friends of our program have allowed us to become a successful, stable program that works to transform the lives of our students and the greater athletic culture. This support allows us to provide opportunities to live into the greater mission of The Defender Way. Please consider joining the Defender Gold Club by making a gift to the cross country team. Thank you for your support of The Defender Way, Defender Nation, and especially Dordt University Cross Country!

Current Needs

Preseason Cross Country Camp

Defender Cross Country has started a tradition each summer of spending two days and nights at a Christian camp located 40 miles from Dordt called Inspiration Hills. This time has proven to be a special time for our athletes and coaches as we set goals for the upcoming season, communicate team standards, and set the foundation for each athlete striving to leave the jersey in a better place.

Endowed David Temte Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created to honor the legacy of one of our students, David Temte, who passed away in a tragic car accident with his brother, Benjamin, in June of 2019. David was a member of the 2019 National Champion 4x800m relay team and the 2018 Men’s Cross Country team. David is missed because of his quick smile, his love of running fast, his humor, and the way he could welcome anyone onto our team.

This scholarship will be awarded to a student who exemplifies the compassionate, servant-hearted characteristics that made David a beloved friend and teammate. In order for this scholarship to become endowed, it needs to reach $50,000. Your gift will help us reach this level and continue David’s legacy in our program.

Contact

Nate Wolf
Head Cross Country Coach/Assistant Track Coach
RC 127 H
(712) 722-6427
Nate.Wolf@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest in supporting Defender Football. As we continue to grow and develop our football program, support from people like you is increasingly important. The Defender Way is a holistic approach to developing our student athletes and significant resources are required to offer an optimal football experience that matches our bold vision.

Current Needs

Wyoming Leadership Trip

Our Leadership Trip is a significant opportunity for our team leaders (unity council and seniors) to begin each season. We take a bus to Wyoming where we participate in team-building activities, camping, and planning for our season’s rally cry.

Defender Gold Club Scholarship

Football recruiting is a particularly tight market when it comes to financial aid. To attract great students and great athletes, who also fit the unique mission of Dordt University, the ability to supplement financial aid packages with a Defender Gold Club Scholarship is a game-changer for our program.

Contact

Joel Penner
Head Football Coach/Instructor
RC 136
(712) 722-6311
Joel.Penner@dordt.edu

Your support of the Dordt University Golf team through the Defender Gold Club is critical to the success of our programs. The funds provide support to the program above and beyond our traditional operating budget. It assists in the ongoing growth and development of seeing The Defender Way lived out in our Men’s Golf program. Pursuing Christ-centered renewal and the pursuit of championships go hand in hand at Dordt University.

Donations to the Defender Gold Club help in recruiting talented student athletes to the program. The funds support increased travel opportunities allowing our team the chance to compete in events on a national level.

Current Needs

Launch Monitor Technology

Adding launch monitor technology to our program will provide immediate feedback for our players in developing their abilities during the off-season at indoor training sessions. The launch monitor technology provides information on ball launch, sidespin, backspin, angle of attack, club path, face rotation, and overall distance/direction of every shot. This technology will allow our golfers the ability to continue to develop their swings while hitting into nets during the winter.

Conditional Golf Apparel and Uniforms

Golf is played in multiple weather conditions. Competitions do not just take place on warm sunny days. Our student athletes compete in heat, cold, wind, and rain. The proper attire is critical to their ability to adapt to the ever-changing environmental conditions that present themselves throughout a golf season. Funds will supplement our uniform budget and help to provide our athletes with proper rain gear, rain grip gloves, pullovers, stocking hats, and miscellaneous items such as umbrellas and hand warmers.

Loft and Lie Machine

Properly tuned equipment is critical to success. A loft and lie machine will allow our student athletes to verify the integrity of their equipment. Adjusting lie angles directly affects ball flight direction and curvature. This helps to minimize manipulations during the swing to account for inconsistencies in equipment. Loft adjustments make sure that there is proper spacing between clubs, helping players maintain proper gapping for distance control.

Contact

Jon Crane
Men's and Women's Head Golf Coach
Jon.Crane@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest in Defender Hockey.

The Dordt Hockey program has a rich history of pride and success. Although we are unable to offer scholarships to our student athletes, we believe we provide an experience that is second to none at our level. We have tremendous fan support, access to the varsity training amenities, and a great facility and team locker room.

Defender Hockey strives to do everything The Defender Way. We are passionate about cultivating young men into leaders who are ready for life after Dordt. The goal of our program is to equip them to be purposeful, Christ-serving men when they leave us. Everything we are provided is treated with care, and we remind ourselves daily how blessed we are to represent Dordt and the players who came before us.

Current Needs

Shooting Gallery

Having the option to set up synthetic shooting areas at Vernon Ice Area in Sioux Center would allow our players more opportunities to work on shooting and stick handling training. This would expand our player development and increase our access to hockey specific training.

Colorado Trip

Each year our team takes a trip to Colorado and plays three games. With support for this trip, we will be able to offer new team-building opportunities and build traditions. The impact these off-the-ice experiences can have will last a lifetime.

Synthetic Ice

Limited ice time is a never-ending issue for hockey programs. The opportunity to practice and train on synthetic ice will further our development with strength training and team coordination.

Contact

Tyler Morgan
Director of Ice Facilities & Programming
Tyler.Morgan@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest in Dordt University Men’s Soccer.

As we continue to promote The Defender Way and develop young men into Christ-centered leaders, support for our program is becoming increasingly important. As we strive to build and improve our program, funds are needed to enrich the student-athlete experience, not only to equip student athletes with a faith-infused education but also to strive for competitive GPAC aspirations.

Resources contributed to this fund will help our program with scholarships, purchasing of facility and equipment updates, support in covering the travel costs of the team, as well as providing us with the opportunity to promote culture and character development through The Defender Way.

Current Needs

Indoor Turf Facility

The multi-purpose facility is capable of administering multiple practices and workouts simultaneously not only for soccer, but also for football, baseball, and softball. This state-of-the-art facility will change the soccer culture here in Northwest Iowa. Not only will our program be able to practice year-round, but also host winter camps, high school leagues/jamborees, youth recreational soccer, and much more.

Facility Completion

The soccer complex has started multiple projects over the past few seasons, including the press box and grandstand. We hope to complete these with your help.

Contact

Ryan Gresse
Head Men's Soccer Coach
RC 127B
(712) 722-6512
Ryan.Gresse@dordt.edu

Dordt University is bringing swimming to their collegiate sports offerings. Dordt is grateful to have a partnership with the Sioux Center All-Season Center and have a home for Dordt Swimming. Stay tuned for updates as we look to launch the first year of swimming in the fall of 2024 and field a varsity-level team the following year.
To start a collegiate program requires resources and we ask for your assistance in helping us purchase the necessary equipment and specifically the timing resources and sensors to host home competitions.

Contact

Mason Youngblood
Swimming Program Development Coordinator
Mason.Youngblood@dordt.edu

Defender Track and Field has a tradition of excellence. That excellence is not limited to performance on the track. Our alumni impact the world in magnificent ways. We are committed to continuing to build a program that will equip graduates to serve in God’s kingdom and make an impact for Christ.

Over the years, we have expanded the size of the team as well as taking a more intentional approach to the student athlete experience through The Defender Way. Your support is key for helping us continue to move the program forward in positive ways. Dollars contributed to this fund will help us with scholarships, funding improvements to our facility and equipment, and providing resources such as books for devotions.

Current Needs

Records Display

A specific need we have at this time is an update of our record board and All-American display. Defender Track and Field and Cross Country had a tremendous tradition of producing All-Americans and Conference and National Champions. We are in the process of updating our record board and All-American display in the Recreation Center next to the indoor track.

Defender Gold Club Scholarships

We have a need for scholarships through the Defender Gold Club for the Track and Field program. This will help us attract students who are not only a great fit for Dordt University, but also for track and field. College recruiting is a highly competitive market with slim margins, and this will allow us to be competitive from a financial aid standpoint.

Contact

Dr. Craig Heynen
Professor of HHP/Men and Women's Track & Field Coach
RC 127E
(712) 722-6235
craig.heynen@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest and support of the Men’s Volleyball program at Dordt University.

As we encourage Godly men to grow in all areas of their lives through The Defender Way, we are simply asking for your help in making it happen.

How can you help? Please offer prayers on behalf of our volleyball student-athletes and staff. Second, consider supporting Men’s Volleyball by contributing to the Defender Gold Club and directly impacting the student-athlete experience through our team travel needs and facility enhancements.

Current Needs

Volleyball Team Trip

During our spring break, when our schedule and funding allow, we desire to take our men’s team to different regional parts of the Midwest or West Coast to connect with Dordt alumni groups, play non-conference matches in those areas, and enhance The Defender Way learning experiences by serving in those communities. The life-long memories created through these trips have repeatedly been a reflection highlight for any who have participated.

Facility Enhancements

Our locker room contains furniture that needs to be upgraded along with artwork to reflect the current team. Many hours of team bonding happen in the locker room and our current athletes will benefit from any improvements in this space.

Defender Gold Club Scholarships

The ability to offer additional scholarships for athletics through he Defender Gold Club allows our program to be competitive in a very tight market. This allows us to attract great students and exceptional athletes who fit The Defender Way and have the ability to make an impact in our program and across campus.

Contact

Chad Hanson
Men's Head Volleyball Coach
RC 110
(712) 722-6320
Chad.Hanson@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest in Dordt University Women’s Basketball.

As we continue to promote The Defender Way and develop young people for service in God’s kingdom, support for our program is becoming increasingly important. In order to help develop and improve our program, funds are needed to enhance the student athlete experience, not only to provide a world-class education with a strong Biblical influence, but to also pursue GPAC and National Tournament aspirations.

Funds contributed to our Women’s Basketball team will improve our student-athlete experience by providing opportunities to serve the broader community of believers while continuing to develop a championship-level program. Dollars contributed to this fund will help us with scholarships; aid in covering the expense of our annual Black Hills Leadership Retreat; and provide us with the needed funds to promote The Defender Way.

Thank you for your interest in Defender Women’s Basketball and for helping us make an impact in God’s earthly kingdom.

Current Needs

Defender Gold Club Scholarships

The ability to offer additional scholarships for athletics through the Defender Gold Club allows our program to be competitive in a very tight market. This allows us to attract great students and exceptional athletes who fit The Defender Way and have the ability to make an impact in our program and across campus.

Black Hills Leadership Retreat

The Black Hills retreat started in the summer of 2019 with the juniors and seniors of our team. We spend four days (three nights) at a cabin in the Black Hills. During this retreat, we hike, make meals together, play games, and spend time in devotion and prayer. While in the Black Hills, we vision cast and set goals for the coming season while bonding during hikes and late-night talks. This has proven to be an integral event in the development of our team culture and the promotion of The Defender Way.

Contact

Bill Harmsen
Women's Varsity Basketball Coach/Asst Sid
RC 127G
(712) 722-6318
Bill.Harmsen@dordt.edu

Since 2012, the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams have combined to earn eight conference championships and had three individual champions. We use The Defender Way to approach athletics. Our measure of success is more than the pursuit of championships. Cross Country strives to build servant leaders that pursue academic excellence and strive to live into the Great Commission which is foundational to the work ethic, team unity, and fellowship that student athletes experience. This personal growth and spiritual development are what we desire for our current and future Defenders.

The generous gifts that we receive from alumni, parents, and friends of our program have allowed us to become a successful, stable program that works to transform the lives of our students and the greater athletic culture. This support allows us to provide opportunities to live into the greater mission of The Defender Way. Please consider joining the Defender Gold Club by making a gift to the cross country team. Thank you for your support of The Defender Way, Defender Nation, and especially Dordt University Cross Country!

Current Needs

Preseason Cross Country Camp

Defender Cross Country has started a tradition each summer of spending two days and nights at a Christian camp located 40 miles from Dordt called Inspiration Hills. This time has proven to be a special time for our athletes and coaches as we set goals for the upcoming season, communicate team standards, and set the foundation for each athlete striving to leave the jersey in a better place.

Endowed David Temte Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created to honor the legacy of one of our students, David Temte, who passed away in a tragic car accident with his brother, Benjamin, in June of 2019. David was a member of the 2019 National Champion 4x800m relay team and the 2018 Men’s Cross Country team. David is missed because of his quick smile, his love of running fast, his humor, and the way he could welcome anyone onto our team.

This scholarship will be awarded to a student who exemplifies the compassionate, servant-hearted characteristics that made David a beloved friend and teammate. In order for this scholarship to become endowed, it needs to reach $50,000. Your gift will help us reach this level and continue David’s legacy in our program.

Contact

Nate Wolf
Head Cross Country Coach/Assistant Track Coach
RC 127 H
(712) 722-6427
Nate.Wolf@dordt.edu

Your support of the Dordt University Dance Team through the Defender Gold Club is very important to the success of our program. As we continue to develop and improve our program, funds are needed to enhance the student athlete experience, not only to provide a world-class education with a strong Biblical influence, but to also pursue GPAC and national aspirations.

Donations to the Dordt Dance Team go directly to fulfilling our initiatives listed below. The Defender Gold Club helps enhance our resources to recruit talented individuals, provide current student athletes with a first-class experience, and continue to promote The Defender Way. Your donations toward National Dance Alliance camp, guest choreographers, and new uniforms not only help each dancer receive this first-class experience, but also helps the Dance team continue to develop and promote a championship-level program.

Thank you so very much for your interest and support of the Dordt Dance team and helping us make an impact on furthering God’s kingdom!

Current Needs

National Dance Alliance (NDA) Camp

During the summer, we would love to take the entire team to a collegiate NDA overnight camp. This camp takes place at Northwest Missouri State University, where we would spend three full days learning the latest choreography and skills that we can take home and use to jump-start our season for football and basketball game performances in the fall. During the three days at camp, we would also set goals for the upcoming season, spend time getting to know one another, bond with our teammates, spend time in God’s Word, and develop our team culture.

Guest Choreographers

When dancers come to Dordt, we want to be able to give them a first-class experience and opportunity to work with and learn from top-notch choreographers and instructors in the dance industry. In the past, we have had the opportunity to bring in instructors from Davenport, Phoenix, and Los Angeles to share their knowledge and choreography with the dancers, and to set their competition pieces. Being able to bring in guest choreographers not only challenges our dancers, but it helps them to be able to adapt and pick up new and different styles and dance techniques from different areas of the world.

New Uniforms

The Dance team is currently in the process of raising enough funds to be able to purchase new pom and jazz uniforms for the team. Currently, our pom uniforms have been with us since the start of the dance program at Dordt and we are looking to update them to be able to reflect the new logo and design of Dordt University. Along with new game-day uniforms, we also will be using donated funds for our competition uniforms. Dance is unique in the sense that your costuming and look plays a role in your overall performance and can add a special element to the theme or concept of the routine.

Contact

Mel Knobloch
Head Dance and Cheer Coach
RC 111F
(712) 722-6504
Mel.Knobloch@dordt.edu

Your support of the Dordt University Golf team through the Defender Gold Club is critical to the success of our program. The funds provide support to the program above and beyond our traditional operating budget. It assists in the ongoing growth and development of seeing The Defender Way lived out in our Women’s Golf program. Pursuing Christ-centered renewal and the pursuit of championships can go hand in hand at Dordt University.

Donations to the Defender Gold Club help in recruiting talented student athletes to the program. The funds support increased travel opportunities allowing our team the chance to compete in events on a national level.

Current Needs

Launch Monitor Technology

Adding launch monitor technology to our program will provide immediate feedback for our players in developing their abilities during the off-season at indoor training sessions. The launch monitor technology provides information on ball launch, sidespin, backspin, angle of attack, club path, face rotation, and overall distance/direction of every shot. This technology will allow our golfers the ability to continue to develop their swings while hitting into nets during the winter.

Conditional Golf Apparel & Uniforms

Golf is played in multiple weather conditions. Competitions do not just take place on warm sunny days. Our student athletes compete in heat, cold, wind, and rain. The proper attire is critical to their ability to adapt to the ever-changing environmental conditions that present themselves throughout a golf season. Funds will supplement our uniform budget and help to provide our athletes with proper rain gear, rain grip gloves, pullovers, stocking hats, and miscellaneous items such as umbrellas and hand warmers.

Loft and Lie Machine

Properly tuned equipment is critical to success. A loft and lie machine will allow our student athletes to verify the integrity of their equipment. Adjusting lie angles directly affects ball flight direction and curvature. This helps to minimize manipulations during the swing to account for inconsistencies in equipment. Loft adjustments make sure that there is proper spacing between clubs, helping players maintain proper gapping for distance control.

Contact

Jon Crane
Men's and Women's Head Golf Coach
Jon.Crane@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest in Dordt University Women’s Soccer.

Your support of the Dordt University Women’s Soccer program through the Defender Gold Club (DGC) is crucial to the success of our program both on and off the pitch. The Defender Gold Club provides support to our program above and beyond the traditional operating expenses. Any gifts made through the DGC will help grow the Women’s Soccer program as we strive to uphold The Defender Way and work for GPAC championship titles.

Current Needs

Indoor Turf Facility

The multi-purpose facility is capable of administering multiple practices and workouts simultaneously not only for soccer, but also for football, baseball, and softball. This state-of-the-art facility will change the soccer culture here in Northwest Iowa. Not only will our program be able to practice year-round, but also host winter camps, high school leagues/jamborees, youth recreational soccer, and much more.

Facility Completion

The soccer complex has started multiple projects over the past few seasons that we look to complete with your help, including the press box and grandstand.

Contact

Alex Durbin
Head Women's Soccer Coach
RC 111C
(712) 722-6501
alex.durbin@dordt.edu

We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you for your interest in the Dordt University Softball program. We continue to seek ways to promote and live out The Defender Way in the softball program and to continue to build and develop our athletes spiritually, academically, and athletically. Funding has become an integral part in helping develop effective kingdom citizens in our program.

Your support of the softball program through the Defender Gold Club allows our student athletes to have an enriched experience in the classroom and in their faith walk, while pursuing championships and excellence in all areas of life. Please consider a donation to Defender Softball. Your support will directly help our student athletes through supplemental scholarships, devotional resources, and a V-Flex training system.

Current Needs

Leadership and Devotional Study

Each year we go through a book as a team. The Assist, written by Brian Smith, was used in 2019-2020. Being able to provide a book for each student athlete would help our players grow spiritually as well as build team chemistry. Further funds to bring in a speaker, the author of the book, adds an element that resonates with our players and staff as we are challenged to grow in all areas of life.

V-Flex Training System

This training system is specifically developed and designed for strike recognition for our hitters and pitchers. This is a remarkable technology that allows our hitters to develop their neurological awareness of the strike zone existing in the space between the hitter and the pitcher. Purchasing more pieces of this system will allow more hitters at one time to train with V-Flex during our indoor and outdoor practices.

Contact

Jeff Zomer
Director of Recreation Center/Softball Coach
RC 123
(712) 722-6310
Jeff.Zomer@dordt.edu

Dordt University is bringing swimming to their collegiate sports offerings. Dordt is grateful to have a partnership with the Sioux Center All-Season Center and have a home for Dordt Swimming. Stay tuned for updates as we look to launch the first year of swimming in the fall of 2024 and field a varsity-level team the following year.
To start a collegiate program requires resources and we ask for your assistance in helping us purchase the necessary equipment and specifically the timing resources and sensors to host home competitions.

Contact

Mason Youngblood
Swimming Program Development Coordinator

Mason.Youngblood@dordt.edu

Defender Track and Field has a tradition of excellence. That excellence is not limited to performance on the track. Our alumni impact the world in magnificent ways. We are committed to continuing to build a program that will equip graduates to serve in God’s kingdom and make an impact for Christ.

Over the years, we have expanded the size of the team as well as taking a more intentional approach to the student athlete experience through The Defender Way. Your support is key for helping us continue to move the program forward in positive ways. Dollars contributed to this fund will help us with scholarships, funding improvements to our facility and equipment, and providing resources such as books for devotions.

Current Needs

Records Display

A specific need we have at this time is an update of our record board and All-American display. Defender Track and Field and Cross Country had a tremendous tradition of producing All-Americans and Conference and National Champions. We are in the process of updating our record board and All-American display in the Recreation Center next to the indoor track.

Defender Gold Club Scholarships

We have a need for scholarships through the Defender Gold Club for the Track and Field program. This will help us attract students who are not only a great fit for Dordt University, but also for track and field. College recruiting is a highly competitive market with slim margins, and this will allow us to be competitive from a financial aid standpoint.

Contact

Dr. Craig Heynen
Professor of HHP/Men and Women's Track & Field Coach
RC 127E
(712) 722-6235
craig.heynen@dordt.edu

Thank you for your interest and support of the Women’s Volleyball program at Dordt University. As we encourage Godly women to grow in all areas of their lives through The Defender Way, we are simply asking for your help in making it happen.

How can you help? Please offer prayers on behalf of our volleyball student-athletes and staff. Second, consider supporting Women’s Volleyball by contributing to the Defender Gold Club and directly impacting the student-athlete experience through our team retreat and facility and equipment enhancements.

Current Needs

Team Retreat

In our preseason, when our schedule and funding allow, we take a team retreat to a local cabin where we build our team goals using The Defender Way. The lifelong memories created through team bonding activities have repeatedly been a highlight for any who have attended.

Attack Machine

An Attack Machine (similar to a baseball pitching machine) prepares our players in important first-touch volleyball skills. The new attack machine has three spinning wheels to give many varieties of spin and controlled speed. This will help develop and prepare our team to play in one of the toughest leagues in the country.

Facility Enhancements

Our locker room contains furniture that needs to be upgraded along with artwork to reflect the current team. Many hours of team bonding happen in the locker room and our current athletes will benefit from any improvements in this space.

Contact

Jackie Smith
Women's Head Volleyball Coach
RC 110
(712) 722-6320
Chad.Hanson@dordt.edu

Your support of the Dordt University Cheer Team through the Defender Gold Club is very important to the success of our program. As we continue to develop and improve our program, funds are needed to enhance the student-athlete experience, not only to provide a world-class education with a strong Biblical influence but to also pursue GPAC and national aspirations.

Donations to the Dordt Cheer Team go directly to fulfilling our initiatives listed below. The Defender Gold Club helps enhance our resources to recruit talented individuals, provide current student-athletes with a first-class experience, and continue to promote The Defender Way. Your donations toward NCA camp, team retreat, outdoor apparel, and rental fees not only help each cheerleader receive this first-class experience but also helps the cheer team continue to develop and promote a championship-level program.

Thank you so very much for your interest and support of the Dordt Cheer team and for helping us make an impact on furthering God’s kingdom!

CURRENT NEEDS

• National Cheer Alliance (NCA) Camp– During the summer, we would love to take the entire team to a collegiate NCA overnight camp. This camp takes place at Northwest Missouri State University, where we would spend three full days learning the latest choreography and skills that we can take home and use to jump-start our season for football and basketball game performances in the fall. During the three days at camp, we would also set goals for the upcoming season, spend time getting to know one another, bond with our teammates, spend time in God’s Word, and develop our team culture.
• Team Retreat– When our schedule and funding allow, I desire to take our team on a retreat to a local cabin where we can build our team goals using the Defender Way. The life-long memories created through these trips have repeatedly been a reflection highlight for any who have participated.
• Cheer Outdoor Apparel– Our athletes perform on the sidelines in the hot, cold, wind, rain, and even sometimes snow. The proper attire is critical to their ability to maintain a high level of safety and provide them the ability to perform at their very best.
• Facility Rental Fees– We want to give our cheerleaders the opportunity to practice their skills in other local cheer gyms and gymnastics facilities. This would allow us to reserve a weekly space for our team to gather and challenge their skills in a safe environment.

Contact

Mel Knobloch
Head Dance and Cheer Coach
RC 111F
(712) 722-6504
Mel.Knobloch@dordt.edu