Athletics & Recreation

Big Red Athletics

For all student-athletes at DU, participation in intercollegiate sports is an integral part of their overall educational experience. Athletic teams at Denison are consistently competitive on the conference and national levels. The tradition of excellence associated with Denison athletic programs is due, in part, to the winning heritage which has been established over more than a century of intercollegiate competition.

Lynsey Whisner , Assistant Professor, Director of Club Sports, Intramurals and Student…

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Mitchell Recreation and Athletics Center

740-587-6580

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Varsity Sports

The university is committed to a broad-based program of intercollegiate athletics, sponsoring 26 varsity sports — 14 for women and 12 for men.

Over the past decade, more than a two-thirds of these sports at Denison have been represented in the NCAA’s national rankings, postseason tournaments or championship meets. Denison’s swimming & diving program has won seven NCAA Division III national championships and eight programs (women’s soccer, field hockey, women’s tennis, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s cross country, men’s swimming & diving and women’s swimming & diving) have logged top-eight national finishes.

Spotlights

In an era before specialization, Don DeJong ’54 did it all for Denison

DeJong was a three-sport standout in the 1950s, but it was his humility and treatment of others that still resonate after his death.

A collage of four photos of the Men's Tennis team with their championship trophy, Men's Swim & Dive team with their national championship trophy, Women's Lacrosse team celebrating their season, and the Men's Baseball team gathered for a team photo.

Unprecedented: Inside Denison’s extraordinary year in sports

Two national titles and six top-8 finishes, a journey years in the making.

Photo of Matt Tanney, new associate vice president and director of athletics

Denison names Matt Tanney new associate vice president and director of athletics

The former director of athletics at Wabash College joins Denison July 1, 2025.

Annabelle Calderon and her mother, Crystal Horton.

A President’s Medal, a mad dash in heels, and Friday night lights

As Denison’s softball team prepares to host the NCAC tournament, Annabelle Calderon recalls one of the most gloriously chaotic days of her life.

Denison fencers and coaches pose for a group photo celebrating their Eastern Women's Fencing Conference win.

Denison fencers earn sumptuous athletic (and culinary) rewards

The Big Red completed their best season in program history, winning a big tournament and finishing first in the Division III national coaches poll.

In pursuit of gold, Andrew D’Asaro shows his mettle

The Denison senior has become a decorated javelin thrower while persevering through an injury that would have ended most careers.

Denison coach Mike Deegan greets former Denison pitcher Matthew Zmuda at the First Pitch Banquet.

Former Big Red pitcher is living out his big-league dream

Matthew Zmuda ’17 works as an area scout for the Detroit Tigers, and he’s spent time this spring charting the progress of Denison’s draft prospects.

Denison swim and dive team celebrates on the podium with their trophy.

Denison's sixth NCAA men's title is a triumph of team culture

Denison swimmers and divers dominated a national field with an awesome display of team depth. Women’s squad delivered an impressive fourth-place finish.