Messiah Excellence
Both Messiah's men's and women's soccer teams won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2005.

Within Messiah College athletics, “Pursuing Athletic Excellence, Developing Christian Character” is not just a tag line — it’s an ideal put into action.

The Falcons’ programs have quickly become known as some of the best in the nation at the NCAA Division III level, and for good reason.

Messiah’s men’s soccer team has won five of the last eight NCAA National Championships (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006), reaching the Final Four in seven of the last eight seasons (for nine overall). The program has produced three National Players of the Year while touting 22 All-Americans, competing in the NCAA Tournament with incredible efficiency: The Falcons have qualified for post-season play in 11 straight seasons and in 19 of the last 26 years.

Messiah’s women’s soccer team won its first national title during the 2005 campaign as well, highlighting five trips to the Final Four in the last six years. The Falcons competed in the national championship both in 2002 and 2007, capping NCAA Tournament appearances in each of the last eight years. Twelve Messiah women’s soccer players have garnered All-American honors.

Messiah field hockey is another sport that has made competing for national championships a routine, as the Falcons have appeared in 11 Final Fours and six national final contests. Forty athletes have been selected as NCAA Division III All-Americans within the program, while Messiah has competed in an amazing 21 straight NCAA National Tournaments.

Individually, Messiah has claimed three national championships, with 2008 senior Amy Reed's record-setting win in the ’08 outdoor track and field heptathlon the most recent. 2002 grad Chris Boyles captured the outdoor decathlon national championship in his senior year, while grappler Mike Helm won the 157-pound wrestling title in 2000.

The Messiah women’s basketball team competed in its second national championship contest in 2008, complementing a 2001 run to the title game. That program has appeared in nine straight NCAA Tournaments.

The Falcons’ softball program competed in both the 1998 and 1999 NCAA Division III World Series, while boasting nine NCAA All-Americans overall. Messiah’s baseball team has had three players go on to play professionally.

With conference championships abounding in nearly every sport offered, it is clear that the pursuit of athletic excellence is unrelenting at Messiah College.

“The long success of these programs really is a reflection on our coaches,” said Jerry Chaplin, Messiah director of athletics. “First, they set such a tremendous example for our student-athletes. If they expect to work hard, then they model it. If they expect commitment, they demonstrate it. If they expect their team to strive for excellence, they do that, consistently. Messiah’s coaches not only talk the talk, they walk the walk. Their teams know that the coaches care about winning, and about winning the right way. More than that, they care about their student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in their Christian character development. Our coaches are fantastic educators, coaches and role models.”