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��Ƶ Celebrates Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:02:53 +0000

��Ƶ Celebrates Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 09/16/2026 - 08:02

On Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, ��Ƶ welcomes alumni, family, and the broader community to campus for Homecoming & Family Weekend. The weekend festivities include a race around ��Ƶ’s beautiful campus, a fall music festival, an artisan and farmer’s market, and the inaugural football game in ��Ƶ’s new football and lacrosse stadium.

See full schedule

Opening a new stadium

Headlining Homecoming and Family Weekend is the first-ever football game in the university’s new football and lacrosse stadium.

A tailgate for students prior to the event will take place just outside the stadium and include free food and Knight Nation T-shirts, lawn games, and music.

“This is an exciting day for ��Ƶ nation,” said Jim Timmer, director of athletics. “We are hoping to create a college gameday environment that matches the moment – the opening of a new beautiful stadium during our Homecoming & Family Weekend.”

An alumni tailgating tent is also offering free ice cream from Huddy’s Ice Cream, an ice cream shop in Hudsonville, Michigan owned by alumni Matt ’06 and Gina Van Woerkom ’08.

Saturday events

While football is quickly becoming a staple of Homecoming & Family Weekend, the ��Ƶ Classic 5K & Youth Fun Run is one of the longest running traditions. The event allows runners, walkers, and hand cyclists of all ages and abilities to race for a medal or to simply enjoy a brisk stroll with family and friends around the beautiful campus. Registration is still open and includes a free T-shirt.

Other Saturday festivities include men’s soccer, women’s rugby, and men’s lacrosse games, a life and career studies alumni open house, an artisan and farmer’s market, improv show, and a free screening of Toy Story 5.

Friday events

The weekend of activities kicks off on Friday night with Grand Prix bed races, a celebration cookout on the Commons lawn (including lawn games and family Bingo), and the ��Ƶ Music Festival – an annual collage concert showcasing the incredible talent of all eight of ��Ƶ’s concert ensembles.

“Homecoming & Family Weekend is a special time here at ��Ƶ—it's when we get to remember and celebrate a place that has shaped so many of us. It is a time to welcome alumni and their families back to a campus that is still cheering them on,” said Becky Bagnall, director of alumni, parent, and donor engagement. “Whether you're into the arts, athletics, food, or reconnecting with old friends, September 25 & 26 is the place to be here as a Knight.”

A weekend of fun

Throughout the weekend, guests will also have opportunities to climb the 40-foot-tall rock wall, swim in the Olympic-sized pool, and enjoy open gym time in the Hoogenboom Health & Recreation Center. There are also opportunities to view exhibits in the Center Art Gallery, examine hundreds of unique mineral specimens from around the world at the Dice Mineralogical Museum, and take in activities at the Ecosystem Preserve & Rock Garden.

For a full schedule of events and registration information, visit /homecoming

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - 12:00

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UM Health-West named sports medicine provider for ��Ƶ Athletics

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:04:43 +0000

UM Health-West named sports medicine provider for ��Ƶ Athletics msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 09/01/2026 - 14:04

As ��Ƶ student athletes return to campus for a new academic year, they have a new team supporting them. University of Michigan Health-West is now the sports medicine provider for ��Ƶ Athletics.

The partnership brings UM Health-West sports medicine physicians and its comprehensive network of care to ��Ƶ student athletes competing in NCAA and ACHA intercollegiate athletics. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) will serve as UM Health-West’s orthopaedic partner, providing orthopaedic care, rehabilitation and physical therapy services. UM Health-West and OAM sports medicine experts will also provide medical coverage on the sidelines at ��Ƶ men’s football games.

A homecoming

For Edwin Kornoelje, D.O., medical director of sports medicine at UM Health-West, the partnership is also a homecoming. Kornoelje earned his undergraduate degree in exercise science from what was then ��Ƶ College before beginning his career in medicine.

“��Ƶ is where my journey in sports medicine really began, so it’s special to come back in this role and help care for today’s student athletes,” Kornoelje said. “Our goal is to keep athletes healthy, help them perform at their best and make sure they have access to the right care when an injury happens. ��Ƶ has always placed an emphasis on caring for the whole person, and that fits very well with how we practice sports medicine at UM Health-West.”

A team approach

That team approach extends to OAM, giving ��Ƶ athletes access to orthopaedic expertise, physical therapy and rehabilitation when an injury requires additional care.

“When an athlete is injured, timely care and a strong rehabilitation plan can make all the difference,” said Peter Theut, M.D., physician president of OAM and member of the OAM sports medicine team. “We’re looking forward to working alongside UM Health-West to help ��Ƶ athletes recover and safely get back to competition.”

UM Health-West sports medicine has provided care to West Michigan athletes for 30 years. Its team includes physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers who work together on injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.

A proven track record

The partnership builds on UM Health-West’s extensive presence in West Michigan athletics. Its sports medicine team provides medical services for professional, collegiate, and high school programs across the region, including the Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Rise, as well as numerous community races and athletic events.

“We want every Knight to know they have a strong team behind them, whether they’re competing, training, or recovering from an injury,” said Dr. James Timmer, director of athletics at ��Ƶ. “UM Health-West shares our commitment to caring for the whole student-athlete. Their sports medicine expertise and broader network of care will be a tremendous resource for our athletes and coaches.”

��Ƶ Athletics sponsors 23 men’s and women’s varsity sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, cross country, golf, tennis and lacrosse. ��Ƶ also fields two ACHA men’s hockey teams.

UM Health-West sports medicine provides care for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from collegiate and professional athletes to high school competitors and weekend warriors. Sports medicine care is available at seven UM Health-West neighborhood offices across the region.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 12:00

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(From left to right): Miriam Sikora, Brock Bevil, Ashley Garrett, Joe Dykstra, Ryan Sheeran, Kennedie Baareman

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��Ƶ Prepares to Welcome Football and Lacrosse to New On-Campus Stadium This Fall

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:35:07 +0000

��Ƶ Prepares to Welcome Football and Lacrosse to New On-Campus Stadium This Fall msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 08/25/2026 - 10:35

��Ƶ is preparing to welcome fans to its new on-campus football and lacrosse stadium this fall, reaching another major milestone in a project that has transformed the student-athlete experience and campus life.

While work continues on future enhancements, the stadium will make its football debut during either Homecoming on Sept. 26, or on October 17. The season opener on Sept. 12 against St. Norbert College will once again be played in ��Ƶ's soccer stadium as construction crews complete the final work necessary to open the new venue.

See full schedule and purchase tickets.

The project has been made possible entirely through the generosity of private donors. No student tuition dollars have been used to construct the football and lacrosse stadium.

"This represents an exciting new chapter for ��Ƶ," said Greg Elzinga, president of ��Ƶ. "From the beginning, our vision has been to create a home for football and lacrosse that strengthens the student-athlete experience, brings our community together, and creates traditions that will endure for generations. Seeing that vision become reality is a significant milestone for our university."

A New Home for Football and Lacrosse

The new stadium will become the permanent home for ��Ƶ Football and the university's men's and women's lacrosse programs, both of which continue to build excitement across campus.

The stadium includes:

A 2,500-seat home grandstand
Premium and chairback seating options
Traditional bleacher seating
Visitor seating – seats up to 500
A three-section press box housing media, livestream production, coaches, game management and hospitality
Improved accessibility and pedestrian access throughout the venue

Construction crews are also completing a large gameday gathering area between the football and soccer stadiums that will serve as a central location for fans before kickoff. The university plans to activate the space with food trucks, concessions, hospitality, campus activities and opportunities for alumni, families and friends to gather before and after games.

As the project continues to evolve, future enhancements, including permanent concessions, restrooms and additional fan amenities, will be added as philanthropic support allows.

Creating a New Game-Day Tradition

Athletic Director Jim Timmer said the vision has always extended well beyond the playing field.

"We wanted to create a place where our campus community wants to spend the day," Timmer said. "Football Saturdays at ��Ƶ will be about much more than the game itself. They'll be opportunities for alumni to reconnect, families to gather, students to celebrate, and our community to experience everything that makes ��Ƶ special."

Fans will notice several new gameday features this season, including expanded tailgating opportunities, a centralized ticket office and gathering spaces designed to create an engaging atmosphere before kickoff.

Built Through Generosity

Former Chief Financial Officer and now Senior Advisor for Special Projects Dirk Pruis said the project reflects years of careful planning and extraordinary generosity.

"This milestone represents years of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and faithful stewardship," Pruis said. "We're deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity has made this possible. Their investment is creating opportunities that will benefit ��Ƶ students and our broader community for many years to come."

The university is very grateful for the generosity of the donors who make this possible, including the lead donors, a ��Ƶ family and longtime supporters of the university, who have chosen to remain anonymous at this time.

University leaders also thanked Progressive Companies, GDK Construction, project partners and numerous campus departments that worked together to bring the project to this point.

Momentum Continues

The stadium opens during one of the most exciting periods in ��Ƶ Football history. Following a successful inaugural season, the Knights finished 7-3 in just their second year, creating growing enthusiasm among students, alumni and the West Michigan community.

"This is where new traditions begin," Timmer said. "Future generations of Knights will remember their first game here, Homecoming weekends, rivalries, victories and the memories they'll create together. That's what makes this milestone so meaningful."

Tickets for 2026 Season

Fans can now purchase a 2026 ��Ƶ Football 3-game season ticket package and single-game tickets for the Knights' inaugural season in their new on-campus stadium.

2026 Home Schedule

Sept. 12 – St. Norbert College (Soccer Stadium) | 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 – University of Olivet (Homecoming) | TBD
Oct. 17 – Kalamazoo College | Noon
Oct. 24 – Albion College | 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 – Hope College | 1 p.m.

With the new stadium, a new game-day experience and a new chapter of ��Ƶ Football underway, fans are encouraged to secure their seats early and be part of the first season in the Knights' new home.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - 12:00

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More than the scoreboard: Faith leads the way for men's volleyball program

msk23@calvin.edu — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:08:30 +0000

More than the scoreboard: Faith leads the way for men's volleyball program msk23@calvin.edu Fri, 02/27/2026 - 10:08

Long after the final whistle blows, long after a season ends and uniforms are packed away, the moments that matter most in sport often have little to do with the scoreboard.

For Coach Aaron Sagraves, they begin somewhere deeper.

Faith - specifically a belief in Jesus Christ - serves as the guiding principle behind everything he does as a coach. It shapes how he builds relationships, runs practices, approaches games, and even how conversations unfold in one-on-one meetings with players.

“That’s where you start,” said Aaron Sagraves, head coach of men’s volleyball. “Faith comes first.” In his first season leading the program, Sagraves has already begun making a meaningful impact, guiding the team forward both on and off the court.

From there, the priorities are clear: faith, academics, and then volleyball.

Faith as the foundation

It’s an order intentionally woven into every aspect of the program he is building.

Shaped by decades of athletics and coaching experience, Aaron’s philosophy has remained consistent throughout his career. Success, he believes, isn’t defined only by wins or championships, but by the kind of people players become during their time in the program.

“Coaching has always been about people,” he said. “Sport gives us an opportunity to walk alongside young people during an important time in their lives.”

��Ƶ come next

That perspective changes how a team functions day to day. Practices are competitive, and expectations are high, but development extends beyond tactics and performance. Conversations regularly turn toward purpose, accountability, and growth both on and off the court.

At the collegiate level, Sagraves believes academics must remain central to the student-athlete experience.

“We’re preparing students for life after college,” he said. “��Ƶ are essential. Sport is important, but it can’t come at the expense of why they’re here.” Don’t get him wrong; he wants to win, and he coaches to win. But there is more to it than wins and losses.

Modern college athletics presents unique challenges. Rosters often include transfers and international players arriving from different cultures and playing backgrounds. Bringing those individuals together into a unified team requires intentional leadership.

For Sagraves, faith plays a key role in creating that connection.

Building a team culture

“When players understand they’re valued as people first, it changes everything,” he said. “You build trust. You build relationships.”

Those relationships often matter most in moments away from competition — after difficult losses, during injuries, or when players face challenges beyond athletics.

“When players come off the court, they need support,” Sagraves said. “They need someone who cares about them beyond performance.”

The lessons learned through sport, he believes, extend far beyond the game itself. Pressure, adversity, teamwork, and perseverance help shape future leaders long after their playing careers end.

“Sport teaches resilience,” he said. “Life doesn’t always go the way you plan. Learning how to respond to that is incredibly important.”

That philosophy also guides Sagraves as he’s recruiting. He says character and shared values matter just as much as talent.

“We’re looking for people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves,” he said. “Culture doesn’t happen by accident.”

Lessons that last beyond sport

Years from now, when players look back on their experience, Sagraves hopes their memories go deeper than wins or statistics.

“I want them to remember relationships. I want them to remember how they grew - not just as athletes, but as people,” said Sagraves.

“At the end of the day, sport brings people together, but faith gives direction to everything we do.”

And in a program built intentionally from the ground up, Sagraves says that foundation will shape every practice, conversation, and season still to come.

“It’s always been about more than the game,” he said. “It’s about helping young people become who they’re meant to be.”

Friday, February 27, 2026 - 12:00

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Advantage ��Ƶ: Student comes for tennis, discovers community

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:02:31 +0000

Advantage ��Ƶ: Student comes for tennis, discovers community msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 02/11/2026 - 15:02

Tennis is in Rodrigo Alipio’s blood. His whole dad’s side of the family played and coached the sport. And so, when it came time to look for colleges, finding a place he could continue this passion was key.

“When I was applying to colleges and being recruited for tennis, I had a lot of offers from bigger schools,” said Alipio, “but nothing seemed to click.” He cited the schools not having the academic major he was looking for as the key issue.

Then, a family friend who knew the tennis coach at ��Ƶ told Alipio about the school.

“It seemed like everything I was looking for,” said Alipio.

Hesitancy turns to confidence

The summer following his senior year of high school, he moved from Santos, Brazil to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he joined ��Ƶ’s flagship pre-college program, Entrada.

“It was like a blind test drive,” said Alipio of the Entrada program, which provides students with a two-week experience living on campus and taking a real college course. “It can be pretty daunting moving across the country, across the planet … I was a little hesitant at first.”

But after a couple of weeks, in Alipio’s mind it was clearly “advantage ��Ƶ.”

“It was by far an amazing experience. I met so many great people, made many friends,” said Alipio. “I was more certain, more sure I belong here.”

The Entrada program was just the gateway into layer-upon-layer of community Alipio would discover.

Discovering community in unexpected places

While he would find community in the more expected places, like on his tennis team and through participating in student organizations, he also would be surprised by the level of community he’d experience within his area of study.

“The graphic design program is so unique, it feels like a team in itself,” said Alipio. “Professor Fox has gone above and beyond to make us all feel integrated as a community, from first-year students to seniors.”

Alipio says the key to creating this kind of team environment is the focus on building trust through being vulnerable.

“The first thing Professor Fox told me is you have to get used to people critiquing you. It’s not personal, it’s intended to make you better.”

Sharpening skills, experiencing deep community

That environment has not only sharpened Alipio’s design skills, but he also has seen it open up a more fulfilling community.

“We are hanging out outside of class, bowling, watching movies, having game nights,” said Alipio. “We are such a tight group of friends.”

That friendship grew even stronger this past month when a group of graphic design students went to London for a two-week study abroad experience.”

“It was almost like a big family,” said Alipio of the experience that included a cohort of juniors and seniors and two faculty leaders living in an Airbnb. “We put together a huge table where we all sat together and talked about the adventures each day. Some made dinner, while others played cards. It was such a collective, loud space, but it’s what made our experience what it was.”

Satisfied with his decision

And while Alipio’s experience on the court has had its ups and downs, including him sitting out his first year because of an injury, it’s the collective community he’s been a part of that has not only kept him at ��Ƶ, but has him wanting to extend his time here.

“I had a little bit of a questioning moment after my freshman year after I didn’t play. I was really bummed out,” said Alipio. “But when I came back my sophomore year and started playing again and got into the graphic design program, I told my dad, ‘This is exactly what I need. I love this place. I would do it 100 times over. Coming here was completely the right decision.’ Now, I want to stay a fifth year, maybe a sixth year,” said Alipio with a smirk.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - 12:00

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Academic All-American success: Why ��Ƶ is a top choice for student-athletes

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:29:51 +0000

Academic All-American success: Why ��Ƶ is a top choice for student-athletes msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 01/27/2026 - 20:29

When Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich.) was looking at where to go to college, she wanted really robust academics and a place she could play volleyball at a high level.

Now, as she finishes up her senior year at ��Ƶ, it’s clear she made the right choice. Look no further than the prestigious national honor she received earlier this month, being named a Second Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators.

A track record of success

“It’s such an honor, a testament to how ��Ƶ has built up its rapport between academics and athletics,” said Baker.

Baker, a chemistry major, is one of two ��Ƶ students who were honored this fall as Academic All-Americans, and she joins a long list of previous student-athletes to receive the award. In fact, ��Ƶ is among the Top 25 across all NCAA Divisions when it comes to earning Academic All-American honors.

“The coaches and professors at ��Ƶ have built relationships with one another and all previous student athletes have shown that we can keep up the work,” said Baker.

Coaches and professors on the student's team

For Baker, getting to this point was a team effort. And it started on her first visit to campus when her volleyball coach, Amber Warners, facilitated Baker meeting with biochem profs and learning about the summer undergraduate research program.

As Baker began to compete on the volleyball court and achieve a high level of success there, she also began to fall in love with inorganic chemistry.

Developing a deeper passion

“To explore the amazing beauty of chemistry through the lens of faith, the beautiful things God has created for us to study and figure out, that brings me a lot of joy,” said Baker.

So Baker dove deep into her academic journey, got a taste of research in her first-year as a member of the Phage Research program, and then the doors to more opportunities began to open. Her general chemistry professor learned she had done dual-enrollment math in high school, and informed her of the work he was doing in his lab that involved more math than most chemists.

“That intrigued me," said Baker. “I already liked general chemistry class, so he said, ‘you should look at my lab.’ I loved it. I got to see how math and chemistry were intertwined. ��Ƶ gives so many opportunities through its summer research program that students couldn’t even begin to imagine at any other school.”

Opportunities abound

Those opportunities were vast for Baker and even included her collaborating on research with a lab in Switzerland in the summer after her first year at ��Ƶ. At the end of the research project, she was able to travel abroad with her research team from ��Ƶ and meet the team she’d been collaborating with in Europe. And that was just the beginning. She would also earn a prestigious Goldwater Scholar award—the most prestigious award given to undergraduates in STEM and would present at the American Chemical Society's National Meeting after her sophomore year—something that yet again proved to be a team effort.

“The conference fell during volleyball preseason and I missed a few days of preseason and Coach Warners gave me a lot of grace. She understood it was something I needed and was called to do,” said Baker. “Just that experience alone underlines how ��Ƶ balances academics and athletics so well.”

On the court, Baker wrapped up her time on the volleyball court this past fall by leading her team to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. She led her team with 3.49 kills per set and finished her career with an impressive 588 career digs and 183 blocks. In the classroom, she sports a 3.99 GPA and is a seven-time Dean’s List honoree.

All around team effort brightens future outlook

While the stats are indeed impressive, it’s the team she’s been a part of across the university that has set her up for future success.

“It’s been great to be on such an amazing team. Every single teammate, coach, and professor has made an impact on me,” said Baker.

Baker will graduate in May and is planning to go onto graduate school next fall. Because of her preparation at ��Ƶ, she is confident she’ll be more than prepared wherever God leads.

“My experience at ��Ƶ has been amazingly formative and one that a lot of people don’t have going into grad school,” said Baker. “I’ve started a research project from the beginning, collected data, analyzed the data, even wrote and published the manuscript on it, which is something only profs typically do, but my advisor invited me into all of this. This has put me a step ahead on my applications which has been amazing.”

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:00

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Transferring to ��Ƶ, becoming an All-American

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:08:59 +0000

Transferring to ��Ƶ, becoming an All-American msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 01/27/2026 - 20:08

In early 2025, Matt Torrell, then finishing up his second year at Liberty University, entered into the transfer portal. A Division I athlete at the time, he was looking for an opportunity “to make a big impact.”

“My goalkeeper at Liberty, his brother was ��Ƶ’s goalkeeper this past year,” said Torrell. “He told me about his brother’s experience and connected me with the coach.”

Upon visiting ��Ƶ, Torrell said, “I loved it.”

Making an impact

He had heard of ��Ƶ’s academic reputation and said seeing the incredible facilities and hearing about the soccer team’s consistent success all played into his decision. During the recruiting process, Coach Souders also helped Torrell see that he could make a big impact and be a leader on the team.

“So, I decided to come and he was 100% right,” said Torrell. “I stepped into leading the team this past fall in a Bible study off the field and also tried to be a leader by my play on the field.”

On the field, Torrell surely made a big impact, amassing 38 points on the strength of 15 goals and eight assists. He was also named his league’s Most Valuable Player. Off the field, he was on the dean’s list for each of his first two semesters at ��Ƶ. And this past December, his success on and off the field were evidenced by him being named a College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American—a prestigious national honor.

Creating an environment where student-athletes thrive

Torrell gives all glory to God for this achievement and is grateful for the environment at ��Ƶ that is contributing to his holistic success.

“I would say a main part of having success in both areas is the emphasis ��Ƶ places on academics,” said Torrell. “At my former Division I school they say you are a student-athlete, but I think the focus is a little less on the student side of it. Here at ��Ƶ, it’s a good balance, allowing students to excel on and off the field.”

For Torrell, he’s working on a sports management major and a business minor, hoping to enter into a future career in something that combines sports and business. He already is gaining some experience running a small Christian sports apparel brand called Faithful Champions. In fact, over the past two years, he’s fulfilled 30,000 orders.

“I’ve always been business minded. I did landscaping in high school, collected a bit of cash on the side from that and I wanted to get into E-Commerce. That blew up in 2022-2023 and one of my friends mentored me and showed me how to work it,” said Torrell. “Faith and soccer are my passions, and I wanted to put the two together and make some products. So, what was trending were grip socks, so I added a twist to grip socks for soccer players, and put a cross on the sock and a Bible verse on the top.”

A transfer worth taking

As he continues at ��Ƶ, he’s looking forward to continuing to hone his skills through classes in sports marketing and business and through involvement in clubs like the entrepreneurial incubator, StartUp Garage. And because the transfer process was so smooth, he’s projected to graduate ahead of schedule—a semester early. “To be able to do that after transferring is credit to ��Ƶ’s team,” said Torrell.

“In the transition of transferring out my previous school, I wondered did I make the right decision? Is this the right fit? Am I going to succeed here? said Torrell. “The transfer was definitely worth it. This is a good place for sure. I am super grateful and blessed.”

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:00

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From Adversity to Opportunity: Why ��Ƶ was the right choice for Ryan Reynolds

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:12:59 +0000

From Adversity to Opportunity: Why ��Ƶ was the right choice for Ryan Reynolds msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 01/06/2026 - 13:12

At the age of five Ryan Reynolds lost his birth family and entered into the foster care system in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Over the course of the next dozen or so years, he says “I lost literally everything: family, belongings, and confidence.”

An unstable home environment full of verbal, mental, and physical abuse, led to Reynolds running away, attempting suicide twice, and spending time in jail and in a mental health facility.

He was looking for a way out and saw a career in baseball as his only viable option. “So, I put my head down and pursued baseball,” said Reynolds.

Making a life-changing decision

But, in July of 2022, “I was forced to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua,” recalls Reynolds.

While he didn’t go willingly, the trip ended up being life changing “I gave my life to Jesus,” said Reynolds.

While he returned to the United States with a newfound hope, the forces opposing him didn’t lighten up. But though the hardships kept coming, he found a path to play baseball at a small private college in the heart of Kentucky.

Facing more adversity

Unfortunately that path closed quickly. Just a few months in, Reynolds tore his ACL.

As he considered other paths forward, he discovered Ohio Christian University and started to have conversations with coaches and players there. With no place to call home and no money to his name, one conversation in particular with the captain of the team piqued his interest.

“He told me about Camp Geneva, about its mission, and that it gives you free housing,” said Reynolds. “So, I reached out and got an interview and as soon as I was accepted, I moved to Michigan.”

Ryan Reynolds (front row second from left) served on the Camp Geneva summer staff in 2025.

Heading in the right direction

Little did Reynolds know that that move would open yet another door. When donors to Camp Geneva and ��Ƶ heard about Reynolds’ story, they worked together to find a way to pay for his first year at ��Ƶ.

“I came to Michigan with nothing to my name,” said Reynolds. “I was fully on my own. I had no idea how to navigate life.”

Adjusting to the rigors of college took some time and getting mononucleosis halfway through the semester added another challenge, but Reynolds discovered something mostly foreign to him his entire life—a community committed to supporting him.

Discovering a sense of belonging

One of those supporters, English professor Jennifer Holberg, took it upon herself to become more of an informal advisor.

“She’s played a huge role in my overall success as a student as she was willing to meet me where I was and work with me through the hurdles that came along,” said Reynolds. “She poured into me, helped me set up the schedule I have now, and helped me find confidence in myself.”

Reynolds interacts with Owen Hayes, a friend and classmate in Professor Holberg's class.

Reynolds has also discovered true friendships, especially on the baseball team.

“The first day we had a meeting as a full team and Coach Schipper asked me to share my testimony. Since then, we’ve been practicing every day and it’s a family environment,” said Reynolds.

“Ryan came into our program carrying a very difficult past that could have pushed him away from trusting others, yet he chose to show up with humility, grit, and a willingness to grow. I'm grateful he's part of our team because of the authenticity he brings every day,” said Joel Schipper, head coach of the ��Ƶ men's baseball team. “It's been meaningful to see our guys rally around him and form a genuine community of support, accountability, and belonging.”

Living into his calling

While Reynolds is starting to understand what a healthy family feels like, he also understands the importance of sharing his story.

“That’s what God’s calling me to as I have a very unique story,” said Reynolds. “It’s not my story. I’m a vessel for God. He brought me through so much. Everyone is caught up in the pressures of life, but our God is so much bigger than the problems we face.”

Reynolds says he’s committed to pursuing full-time ministry and baseball now has its proper place.

Reynolds is on ��Ƶ's baseball team.

“Baseball was my little “g” god. Now, it’s my platform,” said Reynolds.

And he is grateful for the roles the communities of Camp Geneva and ��Ƶ have played in his story.

“Being at Camp Geneva changed my life, and ��Ƶ is building on it,” said Reynolds. “God opened the doors of ��Ƶ for me in a very powerful way. I’ve found the true meaning of family through my teammates and coaches and even my professors and classmates. I’ve found my family and my sense of belonging here.”

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - 12:00

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English

She Took The Lead

hp59@calvin.edu — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:14:09 +0000

She Took The Lead hp59@calvin.edu Mon, 12/01/2025 - 14:14

In the 1920–21 season, coached by Bill Cornelisse, ��Ƶ’s first women’s basketball team—the Rivalettes—took the court, won every game, and ushered in a new era of ��Ƶ women’s athletics.

But seven seasons later, the team still struggled to build community support. A mid-season Chimes opinion piece about the 1927–28 team documented how the players were denied admission to a local Grand Rapids City League by the ��Ƶ faculty and administration, struggled for practice time in the new on-campus gymnasium, and received little fan support from the student body.

Over the next 30 years, women’s basketball continued to be the primary offering for female student-athletes. Not until the 1950s did sports like tennis, team archery, and softball join the fray.

The Rise of a Legacy

New Jersey native Doris Zuidema ’62 stood out as a star student- athlete during that era. Zuidema played four years of women’s basketball while also competing in team archery and tennis. Her athleticism and commitment to women’s athletics as an undergraduate set the stage for a notable coaching and administrative career.

Zuidema returned to ��Ƶ in 1964 and served for the next 32 years as a professor, coach, and athletics administrator. For 13 years, she led women’s basketball while also coaching archery, tennis, field hockey, and golf.

“We had some wonderful athletes,” Zuidema said. “We didn’t always have prime access to facilities or the means of travel like the men’s teams did. We had to fight for everything we had, but we continued to grow and expand.”

Serving as ��Ƶ’s first women’s athletic director, Zuidema broke barriers and opened new doors for female college athletes. She played a key role in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (AIAW) and guided ��Ƶ women’s athletics into the Women’s Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WMIAA).

In 1978, the WMIAA merged with the MIAA to form a unified, single-league structure. Zuidema proceeded to help open five more sports to ��Ƶ’s female student-athletes: swimming and diving, track and field, cross country, golf, and soccer.

Champions in the Making

By the early 1980s, women’s athletics teams began to make their mark on a regular basis. The softball team, led by pitching stalwarts such as Sharon Boeve DeKleine ’85 and Laura Vroon Knapp ’84, advanced to the AIAW Division III World Series, hosting the event at the nearby Christian Reformed Recreation Center. Led by head coach Karla Wolters, ��Ƶ advanced to its first NCAA III World Series in 1984.

Wolters also coached the ��Ƶ women’s volleyball team, which placed fourth in the nation in 1984. In 1986, a senior-laden team led by All-Americans Julie Scholten Dykstra ex’87, Leah Calsbeek Schipper ’87, and Roxane Helmus Steenhuysen ’87 advanced to the national semifinals. Playing in front of a standing-room only crowd of nearly 4,000 fans, the Knights took two of the first three sets only to lose the match in a five-set heartbreaker.

Current ��Ƶ head women’s volleyball coach and associate director of athletics Amber Blankespoor Warners ’90 was a starting freshman setter on the team and remembers the community impact of the event, despite the heartbreak.

“The crowd was electric,” Warners recalled. “One of the things that I took with me after that weekend were the comments from people who were amazed at the excitement of a women’s collegiate athletic event. It rallied our community in a way that had not happened before. The community was accustomed to being rallied by its male athletes, so this was a first.”

A National Championship Team Breaks Away

In 1993, Renea Bluekamp Walkotten ’95 led ��Ƶ to its first women’s national championship, by winning the individual cross country title. It marked the start of a ��Ƶ women’s cross country surge led by head coach Nancy Meyer ’78.

Meyer flourished as a student-athlete in the 1970s, playing varsity volleyball and softball. She returned to ��Ƶ as a professor and coach in 1979. She coached several sports over the years but left her strongest mark on women’s cross country.

In 1998, she led ��Ƶ to its first women’s team national championship, marking a historic milestone. Meyer’s Knights repeated the feat in 1999.

Women's Volleyball Serves History

Meyer, who was appointed women’s athletic director in 1996, supported the ��Ƶ women’s volleyball team on its run to its first national title in 2010. The Knights again claimed women’s volleyball national crowns in 2013 and 2016.

By that time, women’s volleyball had established a strong fan following. In 2012 and 2013, ��Ƶ competed in the national finals at Hope’s DeVos Fieldhouse, losing in five sets in the final in 2012 and winning in five sets the following year. Both years featured sellout crowds of 3,600, filled with the ��Ƶ faithful.

Still Setting the Standard

Generations of ��Ƶ’s female student-athletes have blazed new trails and redefined excellence. ��Ƶ has produced multiple individual event national champions in track and field and swimming and diving. Multi-sport athletes Lisa Winkle Hammer ’07 and Carissa Verkaik Ratliff ’13 both earned the prestigious Josten’s Trophy in women’s basketball.

With ��Ƶ in its sesquicentennial year as an institution, director of athletics, Jim Timmer, sums it up best. “��Ƶ has been blessed by its women’s athletes, coaches, and teams. Their struggles, hard work, and achievements are woven into ��Ƶ’s legacy.”

Monday, December 8, 2025 - 12:00

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