Dordt University video team earns national recognition for storytelling excellence

The videography team in Dordt University’s marketing and communication office recently received national recognition through the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Creative & Digital Design Contest, earning honors across multiple categories for its video storytelling. 

Competing against many colleges and universities from across the country, Dordt’s team earned recognition for each of the six videos it submitted, including three first-place finishes, four second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes.

The awards recognize excellence in collegiate athletics communications and creative work. College Sports Communicators is the national professional association for athletics communications and creative professionals, representing more than 4,000 members from NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA institutions. The College Division includes institutions from every level outside of the largest Division I programs, placing Dordt’s work alongside creative teams from across collegiate athletics.

“This recognition was incredibly encouraging because it affirmed not only the work we are producing, but also the direction we are heading as a team,” says Drew DeVries, lead videographer at Dordt. “Every video we submitted earned recognition at some level, which I was not expecting.”

Among the team’s top honors, “DeWitt Through the Years” earned first place in both the College Division and Best of NAIA in the short-form video category. “The Defender Way at Dordt University” also received second-place honors in both divisions, while several additional projects—including a feature on women’s basketball student-athlete Macy Sievers and the university’s Giving Tuesday campaign—received national recognition.

“Every video we create is ultimately about telling the story of Dordt University,” he says. “Athletics is the vehicle we use to tell that story, but the story itself is much bigger than wins and losses. Whether we’re telling stories through athletics, the arts, academics, or other co-curricular opportunities, our goal is always to highlight what makes Dordt unique.”

That storytelling approach is evident in “DeWitt Through the Years,” the team’s most decorated project. The video traces generations of Dordt basketball—from the 1980s through today—culminating in the Defenders’ first national championship while celebrating the community, tradition, and relationships that have long defined DeWitt Gymnasium.

“When I step back and look at the story it tells, it makes sense,” says DeVries. “More than basketball, it highlights the atmosphere, community, and tradition that have existed inside DeWitt Gymnasium for decades. It shows that Dordt has been a special place for a long time.”

Dr. Brandon Huisman, vice president for advancement and marketing at Dordt, says the recognition reflects both exceptional craftsmanship and a commitment to telling Christ-centered stories that matter.

“Drew has a remarkable ability to uncover the stories that make Dordt distinctive,” says Huisman. “His pursuit of excellence is rooted in his strong faith in Christ and a desire to use his gifts to serve others. Through his leadership, he and his student team produce work that not only meets high creative standards but also faithfully reflects the mission and values that define Dordt.”

While DeVries is grateful for the national recognition, he is quick to point to the students and colleagues who helped make the award-winning work possible.

“My name may appear on many of the submissions, but every one of these projects was the result of a team effort,” he says. “These awards are a reflection of the work of an entire team. While it is certainly affirming to receive recognition as a leader on this team, I am most grateful for the people who contribute their talents behind the scenes to make these projects possible.”

DeVries specifically credited Jordan Eshelman, Jackson Visscher, Kyler King, Brooklyn Rozeboom, Emma McGaughey, and Connor Van Hulzen for their creativity, collaboration, and dedication throughout the production process. 

Together, he says, the team’s goal remains unchanged: to tell the story of what God is doing at Dordt University in ways that connect with audiences on and beyond campus.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University 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 a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.