“Celebration through Service!” That's the theme this academic year as the Yellow Jackets recognize perhaps the biggest transition in the history of Cedarville University athletics - the move to NCAA Division II.

The NCAA approved the Cedarville University for full membership in July and it all became official in September. What a better way to celebrate than through service?

The act of ministering to others is nothing new at Cedarville including athletics. After all, “servant-leadership” remains as one of the six core values of the department's mission.

Cedarville University continues to be dually affiliated with the NCCAA at the Division I level. Their history of combining outstanding athletic performance with consistent sports ministry displays the Great Commission partnership between the NCCAA and CU. 

Cedarville Athletic Director, Dr. Alan Geist, emphasized the point while reviewing Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night which included a barbecue prior to the men's home soccer match vs. Indianapolis on Sept. 1.

"There were so many people on campus that played key roles in helping us to accomplish the move to the NCAA. We wanted to say 'thanks' in a tangible way to the faculty and staff during the first weekend that we hosted an athletic event as an official Division II institution.

"It was an opportunity to demonstrate that our mission as a department has not changed with our transition to the NCAA. The feedback we received was that the evening was successful and appreciated."

Yellow Jacket teams are involved in all types of service. Some are public while others are behind the scenes.

The Lady Jacket soccer team handed out free bottles of water to those who visited the Involvement Fair on campus on Aug. 24. The event is for students to discover how to connect with the CU campus experience and serve as volunteers in the local community by meeting with representatives from local churches and community service organizations, student organizations, student government, and various campus departments.

The annual popular Fair was again held in the Dixon Ministry Center parking lot. Despite the hot and humid conditions, the members of the women's soccer team were there to assist.


The men's basketball team will be involved at Perrin Woods Elementary School in Springfield. They were introduced to the students at a recent kick-off event.

“We've been there a few times before and we plan to be more involved this year,” said Head Coach Pat Estepp. “Dr. (Scott) Dixon, our team chaplain, is the connection to the school staff. It gives us contact with the kids during their physical education classes and we want the players simply to be a positive influence and example. They also see us in action by coming to see us play.”

“Celebration through Service!” For the Yellow Jackets, it's not just fulfilling a point in a list of values, but putting the gospel of Jesus Christ into action.