Dordt University Athletics has claimed the 2025-26 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 third time Dordt has received the conference's all-sports trophy—the second year in a row.
The 2025–26 academic year was a tremendous season competitively for Dordt’s athletic program, says Director of Athletics Darin Keizer. “The overall health of an institution and its athletic department is reflected in accomplishments like this, and the dedication of many individuals working toward a common purpose shines through. As we reflect on the past year, we are grateful for the opportunity to be witnesses for Christ through athletics, to develop servant leaders, to challenge our student-athletes to excel academically, and to pursue championships.”
Dordt Athletics claimed five total conference championships while placing 12 teams in the top four of the GPAC standings. The conference championships were won by women's cross country, football, women's basketball, softball, and women's indoor track and field.
"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. As the landscape of collegiate athletics shifts and changes, we are committed to being grounded in using athletics to witness for Christ,” says Keizer.
He adds that he is deeply grateful for the work and leadership of all Dordt coaches, who continue to lead their programs and the athletics department in God-glorifying ways.
The year also saw success on the national stage for the Defenders. The women's basketball team was NAIA National Champion runners-up, the women's cross country teams competed at the NAIA National Championship, the football team qualified for the second round of the NAIA National Championship, the softball made the NAIA National Championship field, and the women's and men's indoor and outdoor track & field teams qualified several for the National Championship events.
The year also included four Dordt coaches being named GPAC Coach of the Year, and Dordt claimed the All-Sports Trophy in 2022-23 and 2024-25.
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 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) and sent a qualifier to the NAIA National Championship event.
For more, visit godordt.com.
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