Hanover College Athletics
For over a century, Hanover students have been bringing their fire to the field since our first football game in 1886. Today, our athletics program is a powerhouse, boasting over 480 student-athletes who go all in on 20 varsity sports in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Hanover College has a strong athletic program that has made a mark in the last few years showing impressive commitment to both the sports and to our college. The dedication of the students to their sport is nothing short of remarkable. Over half of the incoming first-year class and almost 50% of all students annually participate in varsity athletics, understanding that competition, sportsmanship, and teamwork are invaluable skills that will help them thrive personally and professionally.
Furthermore, athletics at Hanover College are not only for the student-athletes. The entire campus shares in the sense of pride and belonging instilled by the program. Athletic participation cultivates respect, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity, and responsibility, values that contribute to the distinct Hanover experience.
Despite the college's efforts, its budget cannot keep up with the ever-increasing costs of team travel, food, officials, equipment, and the hiring of assistant coaches and interns, all of which are vital to the teams' success. Hanover College needs your help to continue its winning legacy and maintain a robust athletics program. We ask that you consider making a donation to the program of your choice. The coaches and student-athletes will be most grateful, and your support can make a significant impact, providing the necessary resources to ensure the continued success of the athletics program.
Additional researched-based advantages of supporting collegiate athletics and staff:
Metal Health Benefits: Across all three NCAA divisions, mental health concerns are down across nearly every category. (NCAA.org Dec. 13, 2023)
Academic Success: Division III athletes had an Academic Success Rate of 88 percent and a federal graduation rate of 70 percent, compared to 67 percent for the overall student bodies at those institutions. (Insidehighered.com Nov. 2022)
Lifelong Success: According to Gallup’s 2020 study, student-athletes are faster at graduating and more likely to hold leadership positions than their peers. Former student-athletes were also more likely to thrive in many career paths. (NCAA.org)
First Generation Opportunities: On average 15% of Division III athletes are first generation college students (NCAA.org)
Click here to join the Hanover Panther Club and make a recurring gift to support Hanover College athletes.
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $10,000
Match Complete!
For Women's Soccer
Offered by Bryan Ruder
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $2,000
Match Complete!
For Women's Volleyball
Offered by Coaches Preocanin and Stormer with Mark '89 and Marla Kohler Whittenburg '90
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $2,000
Match Complete!
Offered by Christopher and Janelle Tookey
Donation Match
$100 per donor up to $10,000
Match Complete!
Offered by Wes and Mary Burch Ratliff
Donation Challenge
$25,000 if 500 donors give in the next 8 months
Challenge Complete!
Offered by Rich Blaiklock ’90 and Mindy Pflum Blaiklock ’91, Wiley Kite ’90, Rick Patberg ’90, Ron Patberg ’90, and Chris Stark ’91
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $20,000
Match Complete!
Offered by Dan ’86 and Karin Abrell
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $20,000
Match Complete!
For Football
Offered by Scott ’77 and Pam Pearson
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $10,000
Match Complete!
For Men's Lacrosse
Offered by Salvador Sedita, grandfather of Owen Parker ’25
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $10,000
Match Complete!
For Men's Basketball
Offered by Michael Miller ’99 and Kristin Lill Miller ’98
Wow!!! Thank you so much to our donors who supported our second Annual Athletics Day of Giving! We ended the day with 677 donors and a total of $271,282 raised for student athletes!
The sports teams showing up on the leaderboard for most money raised included Men's Basketball at $41,105, Football at $39,033, and Baseball at $35,716. Then the same three teams showed up in reverse order for top three in donor counts with Baseball bringing in 182 donors, Football with 95 donors, and Men's Basketball with 66 donors. What a great day for PANTHERS!
Weren't able to make your donation before 2/15?
Click here to #SupportYourSport
You can also use this link to set up recurring gifts to the sports fund of your choice. Make your gift before 2/23/2024 for your gift to be counted towards our 2nd Annual Athletics Day of Giving totals!
241 days ago by Cassey HigdonScott ’77 and Pam Pearson are offering a $20,000 revenue challenge for the Football team. All gifts to Football will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000!
248 days ago by Cassey HigdonDan ’86 and Karin Abrell established the Abrell Endowed Fund for Athletics in order to ensure this vital part of the student and campus experience receives the support it needs today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Their challenge recognizes any gift to the 2024 Athletics Day of Giving campaign, up to $20,000, with a gift to their fund.
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonFriends and classmates Rich Blaiklock ’90 and Mindy Pflum Blaiklock ’91, Wiley Kite ’90, Rick Patberg ’90, Ron Patberg ’90, and Chris Stark ’91, came together to establish the Hanover College Athletics Endowed Fund for Excellence in 2023. Their fund will support student athletes and their teams in perpetuity. Their $25,000 challenge celebrates the team effort required to make Athletics Day of Giving a success and recognizes every donor – regardless of the size of their gift – for the next 500 donors!
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonWes and Mary Burch Ratliff have made a multi-year commitment to Hanover College Cheerleading in order to invest in the student athletes who lead the campus and alumni community in cheering our Panthers on to victory. Their $10,000 challenge celebrates the spirit of graduates of the last decade and will donate $100 (to cheerleading) per donor up to $10,000. Any donation to the 2024 Athletics Day of Giving campaign is eligible.
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonCoaches Peter Preocanin and Kevin Stormer, along with Mark ’89 and Marla Kohler Whittenburg ’90, are offering a $2,000 revenue challenge for the Volleyball team. All gifts to Volleyball will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2,000!
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonBryan Ruder ’13 is offering a $10,000 revenue challenge for the Women’s Soccer team. All gifts to Women’s Soccer will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000!
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonSalvador Sedita, grandfather of Owen Parker ’25, is offering a $10,000 revenue challenge for the Men’s Lacrosse team. All gifts to Men’s Lacrosse will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000!
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonMichael Miller ’99 and Kristin Lill Miller ’98 are offering a $10,000 revenue challenge for the Men’s Basketball team. All gifts to Men’s Basketball will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000!
251 days ago by Cassey HigdonDonors
View All Donors
| Team | Donors | Raised ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Golf | 17 | $1,625 |
| Men's Basketball | 67 | $41,205 |
| Women's Basketball | 16 | $4,075 |
| Football | 96 | $40,204 |
| Men's Lacrosse | 21 | $15,025 |
| Women's Lacrosse | 8 | $1,300 |
| Cross Country | 16 | $5,020 |
| Women's Volleyball | 38 | $8,370 |
| Track & Field | 26 | $4,488 |
| Swimming | 7 | $1,175 |
| Women's Soccer | 59 | $28,559 |
| Men's Soccer | 65 | $8,975 |
| Cheerleading | 8 | $10,465 |
| Baseball | 182 | $35,716 |
| Softball | 21 | $3,200 |
| Tennis | 10 | $725 |
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