--- title: Dordt University announces two newly named athletic spaces date: 2026-08-20T14:43:00-05:00 author: Sarah Moss canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-announces-two-newly-named-athletic-spaces" section: News --- [ View Dordt News](https://www.dordt.edu/news) [Alumni](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=alumni) [Athletics](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=athletics) [Campus](https://www.dordt.edu/news?category=campus) Aug 20, 2026 # Dordt University announces two newly named athletic spaces Dordt University's gymnasium is now called the Vos Family Gymnasium, and the competition floor is now named Coaches Court. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-20-2026-08_26_22-AM.png?mode=crop&pos=0.4952-0.4615&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=e7191947&v=55d6b8ef6b61930f6292a0d05164623fec2f1fbdcb181c6885eb364982b0afd6) ![]()Dordt University has announced the naming of two spaces within the extensively renovated [Rozenboom Family Athletic Center](https://www.dordt.edu/rozenboom-family-athletic-center). Dordt University's recently remodeled gymnasium is now called the Vos Family Gymnasium, while the competition floor is now named Coaches Court. “To have the support and encouragement of the Vos family at Dordt University for the past 50+ years is an encouragement to the campus and a testament to God's faithfulness throughout many generations," say Dr. [Erik Hoekstra](https://www.dordt.edu/people/erik-hoekstra), president of Dordt University. "My prayer is that future generations of Dordt student-athletes will catch the vision so firmly held by Dordt graduates, like the Vos family, and then use what they gain here to be a blessing to others throughout their lives, as well.” ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Court-Announcement-Draft-5.png?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=57&h=65&c=ee48428d&v=40d406c375b9f6f5e6a395246b534d0d041dd7dfcd09e82951d58be696df0e27) The Vos Family Gymnasium, formerly known as the De Witt Gymnasium, serves as the home venue for Dordt's [men's](https://godordt.com/sports/mens-basketball) and [women's basketball](https://godordt.com/sports/womens-basketball) and [men's](https://godordt.com/sports/mens-volleyball) and [women's volleyball](https://godordt.com/sports/womens-volleyball) programs; it also hosts a variety of campus and community events throughout the year. The new name celebrates God’s faithfulness through the generations of Vos family members who have been part of the Dordt community as students, athletes, parents, and grandparents, investing in the university’s mission and encouraging future generations to do the same. "Our multi-generational family history of involvement in athletics at Dordt has provided valuable learning, growth, and relationship opportunities that reach beyond traditional classroom outcomes," says Brian Vos (’85). "Understanding that God uses Dordt students, including athletes, to make an impact in the broader community by the way they conduct themselves both on and off the field or court makes this project especially meaningful." As the home of Defender Athletics, the Vos Family Gymnasium will welcome student-athletes, families, alumni, and community members for competition and celebration. Most importantly, it will continue to be a place where the Defender Way is lived out—where students are formed to pursue excellence while honoring Christ with their gifts. "The opportunity to play a small role in a project that enhances student experiences and contributes to the sense of community at Dordt is a blessing," says Vos. "We hope and pray that God will continue to use the entire experience at Dordt to prepare and equip students to make a difference in the world as they live out their faith." The competition floor, now called the Coaches Court, recognizes the generations of Dordt coaches whose servant leadership have shaped the culture of Defender Athletics. "There is a rich legacy of both men and women who have poured into the lives of our student-athletes, and that is where the Defender Way started," says Dr. [Darin Keizer](https://www.dordt.edu/people/darin-keizer), athletics director at Dordt. "Their faithful service in the Athletic Department has impacted eras of people because of their intentional discipleship and stewardship." The court features the signatures of longtime Dordt coaches [Len Rhoda and Rick Vander Berg](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-mens-basketball-celebration-highlights-servant-leadership-and-lasting-impact-of-former-coaches), whose leadership serves as a tribute to the many coaches who have faithfully invested in generations of Defender student-athletes. > "The roots of the Defender Way have been at Dordt University for years, planted by coaches such as Rhoda and Vander Berg. Long before we had a name for the Defender Way, these coaches embodied the humility, care, and Christ-centered leadership that continue to define Defender Athletics today." While serving as a professor in Dordt’s kinesiology program and coaching men’s tennis, Rhoda coached Dordt's men's and women's basketball programs from 1971 to 2001. Vander Berg led the men's basketball program from 1977 to 1995 and served as athletic director at Dordt. Together, the two coached 1,174 games while helping shape the character and lives of countless student-athletes. "The roots of the Defender Way have been at Dordt University for years, planted by coaches such as Rhoda and Vander Berg," says Dr. [Brandon Huisman](https://www.dordt.edu/people/brandon-huisman), vice president of advancement and marketing at Dordt. "Long before we had a name for the Defender Way, these coaches embodied the humility, care, and Christ-centered leadership that continue to define Defender Athletics today." The Rozenboom Family Athletic Center, which combines the Recreation Center and the Vos Family Gymnasium, has been under construction since around 2021. The lead gifts for the space were provided by First PREMIER Bank, PREMIER Bankcard, and Dave and Tammy Rozenboom (’85). [Dave Rozenboom](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dave-rozenboom-a-life-of-service) currently serves as president of First PREMIER Bank in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “Dordt was instrumental in shaping my world and life view, so it’s truly an honor to have our family recognized by both my employer and my alma mater,” said Rozenboom in a [previous announcement regarding the lead gifts](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-receives-lead-gift-honoring-alumnus). “Dordt has had a transformative impact on our immediate and extended family, and it is our hope and prayer that this gift will further enhance the impact that Dordt is able to have on its students for generations to come.” Vos, a classmate and good friend of Rozenboom, built his career in California’s wine industry, serving in leadership roles at E. & J. Gallo Winery and later as CEO of The Wine Group. “As a student at Dordt,” he says, “there was just enough protection that, as a student, you developed a sense of confidence in what you knew, in your capabilities, and in the gifts that God had given to you. You found out when you left there just how well prepared you were. I’m grateful that Dordt continues to faithfully prepare students to make a difference in their communities and beyond.” --- **About Dordt University** As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by *U.S. News & World Report*, *Niche*, and other national publications. --- [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/veenstra-headshot.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.4911-0.2392&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=e883967d&v=9e0e899f3e4b953622d64871b6df1a97467e799bb5c598e84bee215f651270e6) Notable Aug 20, 2026 ## Joel Veenstra named Dordt University’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dordt University has named Joel Veenstra ('90) as the recipient of this year's Distinguished Alumni Award. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/joel-veenstra-named-dordt-universitys-2026-distinguished-alumni-award-recipient) [ ![]() ## View All Dordt News View News ](https://www.dordt.edu/news) Aug 20 Athletics Men's Soccer #### [8/20 8:00 PM Dordt University Men's Soccer at Carroll - Nelson Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-22-100-pm-dordt-university-mens-soccer-at-carroll) Aug 21 Athletics Women's Soccer #### [8/21 Dordt University Women's Soccer at Bethel - Thresher Stadium ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/8-21-dordt-university-womens-soccer-at-bethel) Aug 21 General #### [International Student Orientation ](https://www.dordt.edu/events/international-student-orientation-2026-08-21) ![A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2021-22/Buildings-and-Campus/2021-09-23_001574-1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&f=webp&c=3d670641&v=d2bdb7cbdc83e5be46d3a10afe8a1214a0e770536697eb0ddbe29e017d2e9577) <![CDATA[YII-BLOCK-BODY-END]]>