This week's episode of Defender Discussions features Chad Hanson, Head Coach of Dordt Volleyball. A member of the staff since 2011, Coach Hanson has built a successful program with five NAIA National Tournament appearances, including an appearance in the 2020 national semifinal. The Athletic Communications office also debuts a new intro to discuss recent events in Defender Athletics. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Mel Knobloch, coach of Dordt Cheer & Dance, joins Defender Discussions for this week's episode! Knobloch was hired in 2015 to lead the Dordt Dance Team in its inception as a club sport. Now a varsity sport, Dordt dance has been competing at the state, conference, and national levels. In addition to the dance team, Dordt has added cheer to the list of varsity sports offered this year, a sport that Mel is also leading. Mel graduated from Dordt University (formerly Dordt College) in 2009 with a degree in physical education and recreation. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Dordt men's soccer Head Coach Ryan Gresse joins Defender Discussions for this week's preview of the 2021 season. Gresse, who is in his third season as the coach of the Defenders, talks about the roster, preparations, and the vision of the program. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Logan Cline (SS; Cheyenne, WY) and Gyeongju Kim (SP; Seoul, South Korea) join Defender Discussions for this week's conversation about their summer baseball experiences in the Sunflower and MINK Leagues. The two All-GPAC performers earned All-Star appearances in their respective leagues. Cline played with the Joplin Outlaws in Missouri and Kim pitched with the Great Bend Bat Cats out of Kansas. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Ross Douma, Director of Athletics, joins Defender Discussions for this week's conversation about the 20-21 athletic year and reflections on leadership in Christian athletics. He became the athletic director in 2017 after previously serving as Head Coach of the men's basketball program. During his time as Athletic Director, Douma has implemented the Defender Way of integrating faith and athletics, created an Athletics Advisory Board, and has helped grow the Defender Gold Club. Before Dordt, he was head boys' basketball coach at Waukee High School, Chicago Christian High School, and Hartley Melvin Sanborn High School. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Alex Durbin, Women's Soccer Head Coach, joins Defender Discussions for this week's conversation about his first season as Head Coach of the Defenders and about the importance of team culture. Coach Durbin is a Dordt graduate, former Defender student-athlete, and coached the women's soccer team to the GPAC Quarterfinals, having five All-GPAC selections. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Klay Byker, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, joins Defender Discussions for this week's conversation. Our interview highlights the Graduate Assistant program at Dordt University and the experiences Byker has had during his time at Dordt. Klay is a 2019 graduate of Dordt University and will begin teaching at a local high school following his responsibility as a Graduate Assistant. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Dr. Craig Stiemsma, Professor of Health and Human Performance at Dordt, joins Defender Discussions for this week's conversation about the Game Changer Christian Sports Summit. Game Changer is "a Christian sports summit to equip and inspire current and future athletic directors, coaches, and teachers in faith leadership," and it will be held on June 4, 2021 at Dordt University. For more information and to sign up for the event, go to dordt.edu/game-changer. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Matthew Van Eps joins us for this week's episode of Defender Discussions. Van Eps, a senior from Prinsburg, Minnesota, is a three-time NAIA National Champion in track and field. He currently holds a top 10 spot in the Dordt record books in the 400 M, 600 M, 800 M, 4x400, 4x800, and the Distance Medley. Matthew will be running in three events at this weekend's NAIA Indoor Championships in Yankton, South Dakota. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Aaron Mingo, Offensive Coordinator for the Dordt football team, joins Defender Discussions for this week's conversation about the success of the 2020 season, the recruiting process, and why the Dordt football program is unique. Mingo has been Dordt's Offensive Coordinator since 2016, in which he has coached two NAIA First Team All-Americans and one Second Team All-American. The Dordt offense was #1 in the NAIA in scoring offense last season, and was #2 in total offense per game, and #3 in rushing offense per game. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Nate Wolf, Head Coach of the Dordt men's and women's cross country teams, joins Defender Discussions for this week's conversation. Wolf has coached seven GPAC Championship teams, two NAIA All-Americans, and three GPAC individual champions. Coach Wolf is also an assistant in the Dordt Track & Field program, where he assists in the development of distance and middle-distance runners, high jumpers, and hurdles. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Kyle Lindbergh, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, joins Defender Discussions for the first episode of our new podcast. Lindbergh is a former Dordt student-athlete and is the officer of the Defender Gold Club in addition to his coaching role. Lindbergh was an NAIA First-Team All-American and GPAC Player of the Year in 2014, and played professionally for the Stirling Senators of Australia's State Basketball League. Follow Dordt University Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @dordtdefenders and like us on Facebook at Dordt University Athletics.
Nate Wolf | Cross Country Review | December 11, 2025
Football senior Kolson Kruse recaps his time with the program.
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Jacki Smith | Women's Volleyball Season Recap | November 26, 2025
Nate Wolf Previews the NAIA National Championship | November 20
Addy Crow and Hannah Thong Preview the NAIA National Championship