The Beginning
The fall of 1967 marked the first time Houghton teams competed against outside competition, starting a tradition of excellence in athletics that has chronicled 50 years.

On September 26, Houghton’s cross-country team had the privilege to “officially” represent Houghton College as they traveled to take on five-time state champion Roberts Wesleyan College. Two weeks later, Highlander men’s soccer took to the field for the first time, defeating Messiah College 2-1 and launching a storied tradition of success. Cross country also took home its first win that day over Geneseo. Men’s basketball began intercollegiate competition that winter with a limited schedule.

As the athletics program developed, new men’s teams were added in baseball, tennis, golf, and track and field. Basketball was the first women’s program to be added in 1969 followed by volleyball and field hockey. The women also began fielding teams in softball, track, cross country and tennis in the 1970s with soccer added in 1981.

The ensuing 50 years has seen a tradition of success for a department that places high priority on fielding competitive teams that are deeply grounded in Houghton’s commitment to Christ, character development and academic achievement. The athletic department motto of Excellence for the Glory of God is lived out by our athletes and coaches in each of these areas on and off the field of play.

Learn more more about how Houghton transitioned to intercollegiate athletics and what that first year was like in this Q&A with soccer alum Daryl Stevenson '70.

Paul Shea '69 was Houghton's first two-sport athlete. Dr. Shea shares his personal perspective on being a part of those first teams.

2016-2017: A Year of Celebration
Throughout the next year, the college is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of Highlander intercollegiate athletics with a variety of activities to reflect on the many accomplishments of Highlander student-athletes and teams who have pursued excellence for the glory of God.

The celebration kicked off in July at an alumni event on campus that included an announcement of Houghton acceptance into full NCAA Division III membership and recognition of the teams who set the foundation for the future of Highlander athletics. Among those who returned were several members of Houghton's first men's soccer, men's cross country and men's basketball teams.

Houghton President Shirley Mullen presented each alumni athlete with a commemorative medal.

The celebration continued in the fall with two events. September 7 featured numerous activities for faculty, staff and students at home athletics events. In October, we once again honored those athletes from the first teams in 1967. Those in attendance were recognized and presented a commemorative medal at halftime of the men's soccer game. We were also pleased to unveil a 12 foot by 42 foot commemorative wall mural and timeline in the Kerr-Pegula Field House.

Several other activities are planned to celebrate the coaches, teams and student-athletes who left their mark on Houghton Highlander Athletics. More details will be released as the events draw closer.

• February - Community Celebration
• April - Spring Athletics Banquet and Athletics Hall of Honor induction
• Saturday, May 13 - Commencement

Where Are They Now? Alumni Features
Get caught up with former Highlander student-athletes as they continue to pursue excellence for the glory of God.

Darren Berkley '93, men's basketball

50 Most Memorable Moments
The athletics department is compiling a list of significant moments that provide a snapshot of our 50-year history. Some of our most memorable moments are listed below in chronological order, but we are looking to expand our initial list with the help of alumni, fans and supporters. Will you share with us your favorite memory?

CLICK HERE to submit your favorite memory!

Follow along on Instagram throughout the year as we post a new moment with an image each week.

2015: Women’s soccer wins first NCCAA National Championship in 2015
2015: Women’s soccer coach David Lewis named NCCAA Coach of the Year
2015: Nikki Garns is first Empire 8 individual track champion, winning the 800 meters
2014: Volleyball is first Houghton team to qualify for Empire 8 post-season tournament
2014: David Richards (outdoor track) wins NCCAA 10,000 meter national title to become first male individual national champion
2014: Houghton hosts NCCAA Cross Country National Championship
2013: First ever Houghton women's lacrosse game
2013: First ever Houghton men's lacrosse game
2013: Women's lacrosse wins first contest, 14-13, over Hilbert
2013: Men's lacrosse wins first contest, 12-11, over Hiram
2013: Stephany Ellison (women’s soccer) is Houghton’s first Empire 8 Player of the Year in 2013 and repeats the honor in 2014
2012: Houghton applies for membership in NCAA Division III
2012: Houghton joins the Empire 8 Conference
2012: Danielle Brenon is first Highlander athlete to earn eight All-America honors (six NAIA, two NCCAA), including six in one year (four NAIA, two NCCAA). Brenon won three national titles as a senior (NAIA marathon, NCCAA 5,000 meters and NCCAA 10,000 meters)
2011: Kim and Terry Pegula donate $12 million to spark development of Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex
2010-2011: Baseball, softball, tennis, golf and lacrosse added as department begins transition to NCAA Division III
2008: Bethany Kowalczyk finishes with 96 career goals
2008: Bethany Kowalczyk only four-time conference player of the year in Houghton history
2008: Rachel Rhodes becomes third Highlander athlete to earn five NAIA All-America awards (three in indoor track, two in outdoor track)
2008: Kaitlin Fadden is Houghton’s first individual NAIA National Champion as she wins marathon
2006: Mary Gibson (Dougherty) earns three NAIA All-America honors in one season (one indoor track, two in outdoor track). Gibson is second Highlander athlete to earn five All-America honors in career
2005: Bethany Kowalczyk (women’s soccer) earns back-to-back NAIA First Team All-America honors and is second Houghton soccer player to earn All-America honors all four seasons
2005: David Lewis becomes all-time wins leader in NAIA women’s soccer history
2005: Women’s soccer sets program mark with 20 wins and final NAIA national ranking of No. 2
2000: Trevor Eby sets men’s soccer record with seven goals against Daemen
2000: Men’s soccer scores 17 goals against Daemen on 10/14/2000
1999: Women’s basketball wins first of three-straight Northeast Atlantic Conference titles to advance to NAIA National Tournament
1999: Krista Ruth is Houghton’s first five-time NAIA All-American (two in cross country, two in indoor track, one in outdoor track)
1999: Joe Campagna (cross country) is first Houghton male to win individual NAIA All-America honor
1999: Women’s basketball sets program mark with 24 wins in 1998-99
1998: Volleyball makes first appearance at NAIA National Tournament
1998: Burke Field and track added in 1998 as part of $1.3 million project
1998: Field hockey defeats NCAA Division II No. 2 Lock Haven, 4-2. Lock Haven lost in the national title game later that season.
1997: Field hockey defeats defending NCAA Division II national champions Bloomsburg, 2-1, in overtime. Bloomsburg went on to win national titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
1995: Heidi Gugler is first Houghton three-time female All-American
1995: Women's basketball advances to first NAIA National Tournament
1995: Krista Ruth (cross country) finishes sixth at NAIA Indoor Track Nationals to earn All-America honors
1994: Jamie Wellington is Houghton’s first four-time NAIA All-American, including first team in 1994
1994: Jamie Wellington scores program-record 44 goals in 1994 and finishes career with 97
1994: Men’s soccer wins 20 games in 1994 and final NAIA national ranking of 5th
1994: Darlene Ort Axelsson, Doug Burke, Stephen Burke, Dr. Marvin Eyler, Harold Spooner and Dr. George Wells are honored as Houghton’s first Hall of Honor inductees
1993: Men’s soccer produces seven-straight shutouts during 1993 season
1992: Women’s cross country competes in first NAIA National Championship in 1992
1992: Dave Binkowski passes the 2,000-point mark over career
1990: Doug Burke elected to NAIA Hall of Fame
1990: Men’s cross country competes in first NAIA National Championship in 1990
1990: Marion Austin is Houghton's first two-time national champion as she wins both the 5,000 and 10,000 at NCCAA Outdoor Track Championships
1988: Women’s basketball plays in first NCCAA National Tournament in 1987-88
1988: Jodi Carlson (Hess) is first Houghton women’s basketball player to score 1,000 points in career, finishing with 1,580. She is also first and only player with more than 1,000 career rebounds (1,062)
1985: Women’s soccer finishes third in first trip to NAIA National Tournament in 1985
1985: Women’s soccer teammates Kelli Lies (NAIA First Team) and Lynne Connover (NAIA Second Team) are Houghton’s first female All-Americans
1984: Dan Ortlip named NAIA All-America three times, including second team as a senior
1983: Volleyball advances to first NCCAA National Tournament
1983: David Acree scores 51 points against Geneseo during 1982-83 season
1983: Freshman David Landry wins Houghton's first individual national championship as he finishes first in NCCAA Outdoor Track 3000 meter steeplechase
1979: Men’s soccer wins first NCCAA National Championship in 1979 and adds two more in 1980 and 1986
1979: Men's soccer coach Doug Burke named NAIA Coach of the Year
1978: Brian Rhodes pulls down record 38 rebounds twice during 1977-78 season
1978: Brian Rhodes averages 20 rebounds per game during 1977-78 and finishes career with 17.3 average. Rhodes led the NAIA in rebounds in both 1977 and 1978.
1976: Obieka Ikpeze (men’s soccer) is first Houghton First Team All-American in 1976-77
1975: Men’s soccer and volleyball are first Houghton teams to win PCAC titles in 1975
1975: Men’s soccer is first Houghton team to advance to NAIA National Tournament in 1975
1974: Harold Spooner is first Highlander men’s basketball player to go over 1,000 career points. Spooner led the team in scoring during each of his four seasons
1974: Harold Spooner (men’s basketball) is first Houghton All-American (NAIA Honorable Mention)
1973: Men's soccer defeats Fredonia 1-0 in 16 overtimes in the NAIA District 19 championship
1972: Field hockey added as intercollegiate sport in fall of 1972
1970: Women’s basketball goes undefeated (7-0) in 1970-71, with wins against future NCAA Division I teams University of Buffalo, Canisius and St. Bonaventure
1970: Volleyball added as intercollegiate sport in fall 1970
1970: Volleyball registers first win against D’Youville College and goes 4-4 during first season
1969: Baseball begins first season in 1969
1969: Baseball registers first win, 13-10, against Messiah
1969: Track competes for first time in spring of 1969
1969: Golf competes for the first time in spring of 1969
1969: Women’s basketball is first intercollegiate women’s program in 1969 and goes 3-0 in inaugural campaign
1968: First men’s basketball win versus Owosso on December 14, 1968
1968: Houghton joins the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
1967: First intercollegiate men’s basketball game vs. Point Park on December 9, 1967
1967: Men’s soccer beats Messiah, 2-1, for Houghton’s first intercollegiate win on October 7, 1967. Cross country earned its first win that same day, 23-32, over Geneseo
1967: Cross country competes in first-ever intercollegiate meet against Roberts Wesleyan on September 26, 1967
1967: Highlander selected as program mascot
1967: Houghton board approves intercollegiate athletics program