Anderson Ravens
Logo
UniversityAnderson University (Indiana)
ConferenceHeartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NCAADivision III
Athletic directorMarcie Taylor
LocationAnderson, Indiana
Varsity teams18
Football stadiumMacholtz Stadium
Basketball arenaO. C. Lewis Gymnasium
MascotRodney the Raven
NicknameRavens and Lady Ravens
ColorsOrange and Black
   
Websitewww.anderson.edu/athletics

The Ravens is the name used for all of the men's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. The female intercollegiate teams are known as the Lady Ravens.

Men's sports offered at Anderson University include football, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country, and track & field. Women's sports offered at Anderson University include basketball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country, and track & field.

Conference affiliation

The Ravens compete in athletics in the NCAA Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Organization

Athletics at Anderson University are administered by the Anderson University Athletic Department.

Current facilities

Most athletic teams have on-campus facilities for competition, including Macholtz Stadium for football, and O. C. Lewis Gymnasium for basketball and women’s volleyball.

Team colors

The official school colors for Anderson University are Orange and Black. White is often used as a secondary color and for alternate jerseys.

Mascot

Formerly the Tigers, AU's nickname was changed to the Ravens in 1937.[1] The current mascot is Rodney the Raven.

Athletic team success and post season appearances

Football

Anderson professional players
Player Position League Team Years Ref
Brad Lamb WR NFL Buffalo Bills 1991–1993 [2]
Tim Mooney DE NFL Philadelphia Eagles 1987 [3]

In 1970 the Ravens played in the NAIA Division II National Football Championship and lost to Westminster (Pa.), 21–16.

The Anderson Ravens football team won the HCAC conference title in 2001 season.

Two former AU players currently playing professional football are Hyman Smith and Joel Steele. In 2008, a new all-weather synthetic field turf and outdoor game lights were installed at Macholtz Stadium.[4]

The Kevin Donley era

Kevin Donley has been one of the most successful coaches in NAIA football. After graduating from Anderson College in 1973,[5] Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve two seasons as offensive coordinator. In 1978, at the age of 26, Donley was named the youngest head coach in the country. Over the next four years, Donley’s teams would compile an overall record of 28–9 (.757), winning the conference title in 1980 and 1981. Through 2017 and 71 years of Anderson football history, Donley’s overall winning percentage stands as the best among all Anderson football coaches.

1978

(5–4 overall, 4–4 conference)

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 16at HanoverHanover, INL 10–12
September 23at DefianceDefiance, OHW 38–19
September 30BlufftonAnderson, INW 17–7
October 7at WilmingtonWilmington, OHL 13–17
October 14ManchesterAnderson, INL 9–13
October 21at FindlayFindlay, OHL 0–19
October 28EarlhamAnderson, INW 42–10
November 4at Franklin*Franklin, INW 21–20
November 11TaylorAnderson, INW 21–7
  • *Non-conference game

1979

(7–2 overall, 6–2 conference)

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 15HanoverAnderson, INL 0–26
September 22DefianceAnderson, INW 16–7
September 29at BlufftonBluffton, OHW 21–14
October 6WilmingtonAnderson, INW 35–6
October 13at ManchesterNorth Manchester, INW 38–20
October 20FindlayAnderson, INL 6–21
October 27at EarlhamRichmond, INW 63–19
November 3Franklin*Anderson, INW 42–35
November 10at TaylorUpland, INW 21–13
  • *Non-conference game

1980

(8–1 overall, 7–1 conference)

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 20at DefianceDefiance, OHW 28–0
September 27BlufftonAnderson, INW 27–0
October 4at WilmingtonWilmington, OHW 21–6
October 11ManchesterAnderson, INW 58–0
October 18at FindlayFindlay, OHW 10–0
October 25EarlhamAnderson, INW 34–0
November 1at Olivet Nazarene*Kankakee, ILW 24–14
November 8TaylorAnderson, INW 55–12
November 15at HanoverHanover, INL 13–28
  • *Non-conference game

1981

(8–2 overall, 8–0 conference)

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 19DefianceAnderson, INW 13–0
September 26at BlufftonBluffton, OHW 34–0
October 3WilmingtonAnderson, INW 35–17
October 10at ManchesterNorth Manchester, INW 47–14
October 17FindlayAnderson, INW 25–13
October 24at EarlhamRichmond, INW 32–3
October 31Olivet Nazarene*Anderson, INL 13–14
November 7at TaylorUpland, INW 29–22
November 14HanoverAnderson, INW 28–23
November 21at Westminster*New Wilmington, PA (NAIA D-II Quarterfinal)L 6–21
  • *Non-conference game

Baseball

The baseball teams has qualified for postseason tournaments 30 of the last 32 years and 99 percent of the four-year players have graduated. Some notable accomplishments are:

  • Eight World Series appearances
  • 19 years in the final Top 20 Coaches Poll
  • 16 conference championships
  • 32 players signed professional contracts
  • NAIA Indiana champions 12 times, 8 of last 9 years in NAIA
  • 6 NCAA Div. III Regional appearances since 1993
  • 3 NCAA Div. III World Series appearances.[6]

Women's basketball

In more recent history, the women's basketball team made their first appearance in the Division III NCAA Tournament in 2000-2001.

Softball

The Softball team has posted a record of 214–195 over the past decade, reaching the NCAA regionals three times. In total, they have had 7 conference MVP's and 71 All-Conference players. The 1999 team was the most successful in school history. They finished with a total of 35 wins, including a 14–0 performance in conference play.[7]

Men's soccer

The Men's Soccer team also became the first NCAA team, regardless of division, to be named Academic All-Americans 12 straight years. The Women's team achieved 11 straight seasons. Major team accomplishments include, two HCAC tournament titles, two HCAC regular season titles, 38 All-Conference players, 28 NSCAA Academic All-American selections, three HCAC Players of the Year and two HCAC Freshmen of the Year.[8]

Cross country teams

The men's cross country team has won 14 conference titles since 1988, having perfect scored twice, 16 most valuable runner awards, and 5 freshmen of the year awards (since 2000). In addition, they have won 11 coach of the year awards. The women's cross country team has also won conference awards since 1993 including, 11 conference titles, 11 most valuable runner awards, 4 freshmen of the year awards (since 2000), and 10 coach of the year awards.

References

  1. "History of the Raven" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  2. "Brad Lamb". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  3. "Tim Mooney". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  4. "The Raven's will open the 2008 season with New Game Day Turf". Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  5. "DONLEY, KEVIN - Indiana Football Hall of Fame". www.indiana-football.org.
  6. "2003 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship".
  7. "Welcome to AU Softball". Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  8. "2000 & 2004 HCAC Champions 11 Straight NSCAA Team Academic Awards". Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
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