Dordt University Athletics

Dordt competes in the NAIA, which represents mid-level college athletics with athletic scholarships but smaller crowds than Division I. The Defenders field teams in 17 varsity sports with 685 total athletes. That means 44% of students compete in varsity athletics, an strongly high participation rate that reflects the school's commitment to integrating faith and competition. The university distributes over $5 million in athletic scholarships annually. Dordt competes in the Great Plains Athletic Conference alongside other Christian colleges across the Midwest. The Defenders have built particularly strong programs in basketball and track and field over the years. The high athlete percentage creates a campus culture where sports are central to student life. Most games draw solid crowds from the tight-knit Sioux Center community.