Top 25 in the nation: Calvin athletics builds on a tradition of success
The Calvin football team is in just its third official year as a program, but this week it joined in a long-held Calvin tradition.
Following a 5-0 start, the Knights received a Top 25 national ranking—marking the first time the team has cracked that list in its short history.
“To achieve this level of success this early on in the program’s history is especially gratifying,” said Jim Timmer, director of athletics. “This success reflects a total team effort. Our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, professors, and all of our supporters have contributed to creating a culture of excellence throughout the athletics program.”
That culture of excellence is seen clearly each season when multiple Calvin athletic teams receive national rankings. That's true again this fall. Currently eight Calvin teams are ranked within the Top 25 in their respective national polls.
The women’s soccer team continues to move up in the Intercollegiate Women’s Soccer Organization for Coaches (IWSOC) poll. The Knights are ranked #11 and are on an eight-game winning streak with a 10-1-0 overall record.
The men’s soccer team is also riding an 11-game unbeaten streak that dates back to early September. The team, which is the second highest scoring offense nationally, is ranked #12 in the United Soccer Coaches DIII Top 25 poll with a 10-1-2 overall record.
The women’s volleyball team won their seventh match in a row last night to improve to 15-2 on the season. The Knights are ranked #13 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Top 25 poll.
The women’s cross country team is racing toward the finish line this year. Earlier this month, the Knights finished 11th in an NCAA III Pre-Nationals Invitational. The team also continues to move up in the national rankings, now sitting at #19 in the latest USTFCCCA Division III Top 30 poll.
The ACHA DI hockey team took the ice for the first time earlier this month and is now off to a 3-1 start and a #6 ranking in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s poll.
The men’s swimming and diving team is ranked 13th in the October Division III Top 25 pre-season national poll conducted by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSADCA). In 2025-26, the Knights finished 11th at the NCAA III Championships.
The women’s swimming and diving team is ranked 19th in the CSADCA’s October Division III Top 25 pre-season national poll. The Knights are coming off a 2025-26 campaign that saw them finish 39th at the NCAA III Championships.
To follow all of the Knights’ action this fall, visit calvinknights.com.