DePauw Tigers

DePauw Tigers. The DePauw Tigers are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent DePauw University, a private liberal arts college in Greencastle, Indiana. Competing at the NCAA Division III level, the Tigers are members of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The university fields 23 varsity teams, with a storied history of success in sports like football, basketball, and women's golf, while fostering a strong tradition of academic and athletic balance.

History

The athletic history of DePauw University is deeply intertwined with the development of collegiate sports in the Midwestern United States. The Tigers' football program dates to the late 19th century, with early games against regional foes like Wabash College and Indiana University. DePauw was a founding member of the Indiana Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1902 and later competed in the Indiana Collegiate Conference. A significant transition occurred in 2011 when the university joined the North Coast Athletic Conference, aligning with peer institutions such as Denison University and Wittenberg University. Throughout its history, the athletics department has been guided by influential figures including longtime football coach Nick Mourouzis and athletic director Page Cotton.

Athletic programs

DePauw sponsors a comprehensive array of varsity sports within the NCAA Division III framework, emphasizing broad participation. The football team has a long tradition, notably competing in the historic Monon Bell rivalry. The men's and women's basketball programs have achieved multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, with the women's team making a memorable run to the Final Four in 2013. The women's golf team has been a national powerhouse, winning multiple NCAA national championships under coach Vince Lazar. Other successful programs include women's soccer, softball, and swimming and diving, with numerous athletes earning All-American honors from the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.

Facilities

The Tigers compete in modern, well-equipped athletic facilities across the DePauw University campus. Blackstock Stadium, featuring Fritz Field, is the home of football, field hockey, and track and field. The Lilly Center houses the Kelsey M. and Allan H. Koehn Arena for basketball and volleyball, along with extensive fitness and recreation spaces. Reavis Stadium serves as the venue for soccer and lacrosse, while the DePauw Tennis and Track Center provides indoor courts and a 200-meter track. The nationally recognized DePauw Nature Park includes cross-country trails, and the Walker Course is a dedicated practice facility for the golf teams. These venues have also hosted events like the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championships.

Rivalries

The most prominent and enduring rivalry for the Tigers is with nearby Wabash College, centered on the Monon Bell football game. This annual contest, first played in 1890, is one of the oldest and most celebrated rivalries in all of college football, with the winner taking possession of the coveted Monon Bell trophy. The intensity extends beyond football to other sports like basketball and baseball. Within the North Coast Athletic Conference, competitive series have developed with schools such as Denison University, Wittenberg University, and Kenyon College, particularly in sports like women's golf, swimming and diving, and soccer. These rivalries are highlighted during key conference championship events.

Notable alumni

DePauw Tigers alumni have achieved distinction in diverse professional fields. In sports, notable figures include Bob Bergman, a longtime Major League Baseball scout, and Brad Stevens, the President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics. In media and public life, alumni include journalist and author Barbara Ehrenreich, former United States Vice President Dan Quayle, and television producer Michele Greppi. The business world counts John B. Connally, former United States Secretary of the Treasury, and R. David Thomas, founder of Wendy's, among its graduates. In the arts, actor James B. Sikking and composer Meredith Willson, creator of The Music Man, are distinguished alumni.