Peter Stuursma returns for his ninth season as head coach of the Hope College football team this fall. Stuursma led the Flying Dutchmen to their most successful season in school history last season – an 11-1 record, a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and Hope’s first-ever NCAA Division III playoff victory. Hope is ranked 20th in the d3football.com preseason poll.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Coming off its most successful season in school history, the Hope College football team will begin the 2025 season as one of the top-ranked teams in NCAA Division III. The Flying Dutchmen, who won a school-record 11 games against just one loss a year ago and reached the third round of the NCAA playoffs, are ranked 20th in the country in the preseason poll by d3football.com. They received 174 points in the poll, which is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, sports information directors and media members from across the country. The poll is published weekly throughout the season.
Head coach Peter Stuursma, a 1993 Hope graduate, returns for his ninth season guiding the Hope football program. Since 2016, Stuursma has led the Dutchmen to three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships (2019, 2021, 2024) and two NCAA playoff appearances. His teams have posted a record of 43-8 in MIAA play (.843 winning percentage) and 65-18 overall (.783 winning percentage).
Hope ended last season ranked 14th in the nation, the highest-ever ranking for the Flying Dutchmen in the d3football.com poll.
Defending Division III national champion North Central College of Naperville, Ill., who handed Hope its only loss last season, 41-21 in the NCAA playoffs, is the preseason favorite to repeat as national champions. The Cardinals garnered 24 out of a possible 25 first-place votes in the poll.
The University of Mount Union (Ohio) received the other first-place vote and will open the season as the No. 2-ranked team in the country. Johns Hopkins (Md.) University is ranked third, with Susquehanna (Pa.), St. John’s (Minn.), Hardin-Simmons (Tex.), Salisbury (Md.), Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.), Wartburg (Iowa) and Cortland (N.Y.) rounding out the top 10.
The Flying Dutchmen will open the 2025 season with back-to-back road games against non-conference opponents. Hope will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 6, for its season opener against the Duhawks of Loras College. A week later, the Dutchmen will visit Franklin (Ind.) College.
Hope’s home opener will be Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against the Lions of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) University. The following Saturday, Sept. 27, the Flying Dutchmen open MIAA play at home against the Scots of Alma College, who won the 2023 conference title and is expected to challenge Hope for this year’s championship.
Hope’s homecoming game this year will be Saturday, Oct. 18 at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against the Kalamazoo College Hornets. Kickoff will be 1 p.m.
The Flying Dutchmen will conclude the regular season with back-to-back home games, starting on Saturday, Nov. 8, with the first-ever Rivalry game with Calvin University to be played in Holland. Hope defeated Calvin 38-7 in Grand Rapids last November in the first football game ever between the two West Michigan rivals.
Hope’s regular season finale will be Saturday, Nov. 15 at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against the University of Olivet Comets.
Season tickets are on sale for $50 and can be purchased online at any time, or during regular business hours by phone at (616) 395-7890 or in person at the Hope College Ticket Office, 100 E. Eighth St.
Zeeland Record
Coming off its most successful season in school history, the Hope College football team will begin the 2025 season as one of the top-ranked teams in NCAA Division III. The Flying Dutchmen, who won a school-record 11 games against just one loss a year ago and reached the third round of the NCAA playoffs, are ranked 20th in the country in the preseason poll by d3football.com. They received 174 points in the poll, which is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, sports information directors and media members from across the country. The poll is published weekly throughout the season.
Head coach Peter Stuursma, a 1993 Hope graduate, returns for his ninth season guiding the Hope football program. Since 2016, Stuursma has led the Dutchmen to three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships (2019, 2021, 2024) and two NCAA playoff appearances. His teams have posted a record of 43-8 in MIAA play (.843 winning percentage) and 65-18 overall (.783 winning percentage).
Hope ended last season ranked 14th in the nation, the highest-ever ranking for the Flying Dutchmen in the d3football.com poll.
Defending Division III national champion North Central College of Naperville, Ill., who handed Hope its only loss last season, 41-21 in the NCAA playoffs, is the preseason favorite to repeat as national champions. The Cardinals garnered 24 out of a possible 25 first-place votes in the poll.
The University of Mount Union (Ohio) received the other first-place vote and will open the season as the No. 2-ranked team in the country. Johns Hopkins (Md.) University is ranked third, with Susquehanna (Pa.), St. John’s (Minn.), Hardin-Simmons (Tex.), Salisbury (Md.), Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.), Wartburg (Iowa) and Cortland (N.Y.) rounding out the top 10.
The Flying Dutchmen will open the 2025 season with back-to-back road games against non-conference opponents. Hope will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 6, for its season opener against the Duhawks of Loras College. A week later, the Dutchmen will visit Franklin (Ind.) College.
Hope’s home opener will be Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against the Lions of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) University. The following Saturday, Sept. 27, the Flying Dutchmen open MIAA play at home against the Scots of Alma College, who won the 2023 conference title and is expected to challenge Hope for this year’s championship.
Hope’s homecoming game this year will be Saturday, Oct. 18 at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against the Kalamazoo College Hornets. Kickoff will be 1 p.m.
The Flying Dutchmen will conclude the regular season with back-to-back home games, starting on Saturday, Nov. 8, with the first-ever Rivalry game with Calvin University to be played in Holland. Hope defeated Calvin 38-7 in Grand Rapids last November in the first football game ever between the two West Michigan rivals.
Hope’s regular season finale will be Saturday, Nov. 15 at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium against the University of Olivet Comets.
Season tickets are on sale for $50 and can be purchased online at any time, or during regular business hours by phone at (616) 395-7890 or in person at the Hope College Ticket Office, 100 E. Eighth St.
Hope Women’s Track Receives All-Academic Team Recognition
The Hope College women’s track and field team achieved 2025 All-Academic Team distinction from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
In addition, six Flying Dutch student-athletes earned All-Academic Athlete honors from the USTFCCCA: senior Jasmine Zimmerman, and juniors Frances Cozzens, Molly Durow, Catherine Leahy, Sara Schermerhorn, and Ava Schmidt.
Led by head coach Kevin Cole in his final season, Hope finished the academic year with a 3.647 team grade point average. Teams were required to have at least a 3.1 GPA using the USTFCCCA’s formula.
To qualify individually, student-athletes must have recorded a GPA of 3.30 or higher and either been ranked among the top 50 in an individual event on TFRRS or competed on a top-35 ranked relay team.
Zimmerman (Byron Center/ Home School), a double major in political science and philosophy and a sprinter, raced to all-region honors in the outdoor 4x400 relay.
Cozzens (Lyman, N.H./Saint Johnsbury Academy), an art studio major and a sprinter, claimed all-region accolades in the indoor and outdoor 4x400 relay.
Durow (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), an elementary education major and middle-distance runner, earned all-region distinction in the outdoor 800 meters.
Leahy (Elk Rapids/Elk Rapids), a double major in exercise science and psychology and a sprinter, achieved all-region honors in the indoor and outdoor 4x400 relay.
Schermerhorn (Traverse City/Traverse City West), an exercise science major and a sprinter, claimed All-America honors in the indoor and outdoor 200 and 400 meters and all-region honors in four indoor events and three outdoor ones.
Schmidt (Saline/Saline), a business major and a sprinter, ran on the Flying Dutch’s MIAA-champion outdoor 4x100 relay.
In addition, six Flying Dutch student-athletes earned All-Academic Athlete honors from the USTFCCCA: senior Jasmine Zimmerman, and juniors Frances Cozzens, Molly Durow, Catherine Leahy, Sara Schermerhorn, and Ava Schmidt.
Led by head coach Kevin Cole in his final season, Hope finished the academic year with a 3.647 team grade point average. Teams were required to have at least a 3.1 GPA using the USTFCCCA’s formula.
To qualify individually, student-athletes must have recorded a GPA of 3.30 or higher and either been ranked among the top 50 in an individual event on TFRRS or competed on a top-35 ranked relay team.
Zimmerman (Byron Center/ Home School), a double major in political science and philosophy and a sprinter, raced to all-region honors in the outdoor 4x400 relay.
Cozzens (Lyman, N.H./Saint Johnsbury Academy), an art studio major and a sprinter, claimed all-region accolades in the indoor and outdoor 4x400 relay.
Durow (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), an elementary education major and middle-distance runner, earned all-region distinction in the outdoor 800 meters.
Leahy (Elk Rapids/Elk Rapids), a double major in exercise science and psychology and a sprinter, achieved all-region honors in the indoor and outdoor 4x400 relay.
Schermerhorn (Traverse City/Traverse City West), an exercise science major and a sprinter, claimed All-America honors in the indoor and outdoor 200 and 400 meters and all-region honors in four indoor events and three outdoor ones.
Schmidt (Saline/Saline), a business major and a sprinter, ran on the Flying Dutch’s MIAA-champion outdoor 4x100 relay.
Grand Valley Hires Boudro as Wrestling Coach
Grand Valley State University recently announced the hiring of R.J. Boudro as the Lakers’ head men’s wrestling coach.
Boudro most recently spent the last 11 years as the head coach of the Lowell High School wrestling program, one of the top high school programs in the Midwest.
“We are absolutely thrilled to hire R.J. Boudro to lead our men’s wrestling program,” GVSU Athletic Director Keri Becker said. “He was a unique candidate that got more impressive throughout the entire interview process. He possesses exceptional character, has the organizational abilities of a polished CEO, has a proven record in developing talent, and wins championships. Our student-athletes are driven and hungry to be developed to their highest potential and coach Boudro will lead a culture of deep connection, growth, and create an environment that prepares them for life after wrestling.”
Becker added, “The level of professionalism and character in our program will instantly elevate the day he takes over. He has an extensive network of coaches who shared their deep respect for his abilities that will serve him well as he shifts to recruiting college student-athletes. His success at the high school level is exceptional and will quickly translate into success at the collegiate level due to his ability to build relationships and a community around GVSU wrestling.”
Lowell was dominant under the direction of Boudro, both in team and individual wrestling results. The Red Arrows continuingly squared off against the best competition in the Midwest. The gaudy team results the last 11 years are incredible and include:
• 11 consecutive O-K Conference Regular Season titles
• 11 consecutive O-K Conference Tournament titles
• 11 consecutive MHSAA Division 2 Team District titles
• 11 consecutive MHSAA Division 2 Team Regional titles
• 11 consecutive MHSAA Division 2 Team State Championships
• 223-34 Dual Meet record
Individually, 26 wrestlers won an individual state championship and 103 garnered MHSAA All-State plaudits. In addition, 50 student-athletes earned academic all-state honors, and the Red Arrow program earned 11 consecutive team academic all-state accolades. Thirty-six wrestlers moved on to wrestle collegiately.
“My family and I are truly excited about this new journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to join Grand Valley State University as their new head coach,” Boudro said. “My experience coaching in Michigan and the support from the Lowell community have shaped who I am today. I am committed to creating a culture that emphasizes excellence on the mat and in the classroom, helping our student- athletes become men of integrity and strong values. I believe this culture will have a lasting, positive impact on wrestling across the state,” he added.
Boudro wrestled collegiately at the University of Michigan (2001-02) and Michigan State (2004-06), recording a career mark of 82-48. While competing at MSU, Boudro was 47-16, notching a 19-8 record in 2004-05 as a junior with a fourth-place finish at the Big 10 Tournament and a selection to the NCAA Division I Championship. As a senior in 2005-06, Boudro produced a 29-8 record and was a #6 seed at the NCAA Championships, finishing 1-2.
Boudro most recently spent the last 11 years as the head coach of the Lowell High School wrestling program, one of the top high school programs in the Midwest.
“We are absolutely thrilled to hire R.J. Boudro to lead our men’s wrestling program,” GVSU Athletic Director Keri Becker said. “He was a unique candidate that got more impressive throughout the entire interview process. He possesses exceptional character, has the organizational abilities of a polished CEO, has a proven record in developing talent, and wins championships. Our student-athletes are driven and hungry to be developed to their highest potential and coach Boudro will lead a culture of deep connection, growth, and create an environment that prepares them for life after wrestling.”
Becker added, “The level of professionalism and character in our program will instantly elevate the day he takes over. He has an extensive network of coaches who shared their deep respect for his abilities that will serve him well as he shifts to recruiting college student-athletes. His success at the high school level is exceptional and will quickly translate into success at the collegiate level due to his ability to build relationships and a community around GVSU wrestling.”
Lowell was dominant under the direction of Boudro, both in team and individual wrestling results. The Red Arrows continuingly squared off against the best competition in the Midwest. The gaudy team results the last 11 years are incredible and include:
• 11 consecutive O-K Conference Regular Season titles
• 11 consecutive O-K Conference Tournament titles
• 11 consecutive MHSAA Division 2 Team District titles
• 11 consecutive MHSAA Division 2 Team Regional titles
• 11 consecutive MHSAA Division 2 Team State Championships
• 223-34 Dual Meet record
Individually, 26 wrestlers won an individual state championship and 103 garnered MHSAA All-State plaudits. In addition, 50 student-athletes earned academic all-state honors, and the Red Arrow program earned 11 consecutive team academic all-state accolades. Thirty-six wrestlers moved on to wrestle collegiately.
“My family and I are truly excited about this new journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to join Grand Valley State University as their new head coach,” Boudro said. “My experience coaching in Michigan and the support from the Lowell community have shaped who I am today. I am committed to creating a culture that emphasizes excellence on the mat and in the classroom, helping our student- athletes become men of integrity and strong values. I believe this culture will have a lasting, positive impact on wrestling across the state,” he added.
Boudro wrestled collegiately at the University of Michigan (2001-02) and Michigan State (2004-06), recording a career mark of 82-48. While competing at MSU, Boudro was 47-16, notching a 19-8 record in 2004-05 as a junior with a fourth-place finish at the Big 10 Tournament and a selection to the NCAA Division I Championship. As a senior in 2005-06, Boudro produced a 29-8 record and was a #6 seed at the NCAA Championships, finishing 1-2.
Hope Volleyball Receives Team Academic Award
The Hope College volleyball team excelled both on the court and in the classroom over the past year.
The Flying Dutch, a 2024 NCAA Division III national semifinalist, also received the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, for the 2024-25 school year.
It is the 17th consecutive season Hope has earned the honor. Teams needed to maintain a 3.30 GPA on a 4.0 scale to qualify.
On the court, the Flying Dutch finished the 2024 season with a 29-3 overall record and won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship.
Led by head coach Becky Schmidt, the Flying Dutch did not lose a set in MIAA regular-season play for the first time in program history, winning all eight matches. It marked Hope’s second consecutive regular-season title and 16th overall.
The Flying Dutch served up a third consecutive NCAA regional tournament title — a first in program history.
Hope also repeated as MIAA Tournament champions for the first time in program history, claiming the program’s sixth tournament title.
The Flying Dutch open the 2025 season with a tournament the weekend of Friday, Aug. 29-Saturday Aug. 30 at DeVos Fieldhouse. Hope will face Ohio Northern University, Manchester (Ind.) University and Concordia (Wis.) University during that tournament.
The Flying Dutch, a 2024 NCAA Division III national semifinalist, also received the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, for the 2024-25 school year.
It is the 17th consecutive season Hope has earned the honor. Teams needed to maintain a 3.30 GPA on a 4.0 scale to qualify.
On the court, the Flying Dutch finished the 2024 season with a 29-3 overall record and won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship.
Led by head coach Becky Schmidt, the Flying Dutch did not lose a set in MIAA regular-season play for the first time in program history, winning all eight matches. It marked Hope’s second consecutive regular-season title and 16th overall.
The Flying Dutch served up a third consecutive NCAA regional tournament title — a first in program history.
Hope also repeated as MIAA Tournament champions for the first time in program history, claiming the program’s sixth tournament title.
The Flying Dutch open the 2025 season with a tournament the weekend of Friday, Aug. 29-Saturday Aug. 30 at DeVos Fieldhouse. Hope will face Ohio Northern University, Manchester (Ind.) University and Concordia (Wis.) University during that tournament.
