Anderson University Ravens
Encyclopedia
The Ravens is the name used for all of the men's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Anderson University
in Anderson, Indiana
. The female intercollegiate teams are known as the Lady Ravens.
Men's sports offered at Anderson University include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country, and track & field. Women's sports offered at Anderson University include basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country, and track & field.
Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
.
Athletics at Anderson University are administered by the Anderson University Athletic Department.
for football
, and O. C. Lewis Gymnasium
for basketball
and women’s volleyball
.
for Anderson University are Orange and Black. White
is often used as a secondary color and for alternate jerseys.
.
In 1970 the Ravens played in the NAIA Division II National Football Championship
and lost to Westminster (Pa.), 21–16.
The Anderson Ravens football team won the HCAC conference title in 2001 season.
Two former AU players currently playing professional football are Hyman Smith and Joel Steele. In 2008, a new all-weather synthetic field turf and outdoor game lights were installed at Macholtz Stadium
.
has been one of the most successful coaches in NAIA
football. After graduating from Anderson College in 1973, Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve two seasons as offensive coordinator
. In 1978, at the age of 26, Donley was named the youngest head coach
in the country. Over the next four years, Donley’s teams would compile an overall record of 28-9 (.757), winning the conference title in 1980 and 1981. Through 2009 and 63 years of Anderson football history, Donley’s overall winning percentage stands as the best among all Anderson football coaches.
Anderson University (Indiana)
Anderson University is an accredited private Christian liberal arts university in Anderson, Indiana. The college is affiliated with the Church of God . Anderson University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the society. In 2010, U.S...
in Anderson, Indiana
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
. The female intercollegiate teams are known as the Lady Ravens.
Men's sports offered at Anderson University include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country, and track & field. Women's sports offered at Anderson University include basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country, and track & field.
Conference affiliation
The Ravens compete in athletics in the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III. Member institutions are located in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio...
.
Organization
| Athletic's Mission Statement The mission of the Department of Athletics is to "embrace the holistic development of our programs, with a focus on academic excellence, athletic success, spiritual mentoring and social growth." |
Current facilities
Most athletic teams have on-campus facilities for competition, including Macholtz StadiumMacholtz Stadium
Macholtz Stadium is a 4,300-seat multi-purpose stadium in Anderson, Indiana. The facility is located on the campus of Anderson University and is named in honor of Dr. James Macholtz who served as coach of the Anderson University football and Track and Field programs.The stadium is primarily used...
for football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, and O. C. Lewis Gymnasium
O. C. Lewis Gymnasium
The O.C. Lewis Gymnasium is a 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Anderson, Indiana, USA. It hosts locals sporting events and concerts. It was home to the Indiana Alley Cats, in 2005, and the Anderson University Ravens basketball teams. The arena opened in 1962.-References:...
for basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and women’s volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
.
Team colors
The official school colorsSchool colors
School colors are the colors chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. Most schools have two colors, which are usually chosen to avoid conflicts with other schools with which the school competes in sports and other activities...
for Anderson University are Orange and Black. White
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
is often used as a secondary color and for alternate jerseys.
Mascot
Formerly the Tigers, AU's nickname was changed to the Ravens in 1937. The current mascot is Rodney the RavenRodney the Raven
Rodney the Raven is the official mascots of the Anderson University. Rodney, normally portrayed by a costumed character, is usually represented as a stylized raven with black feathers, yellow legs, and an orange beak...
.
Football
| Player | Position | League | Team | Years | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Lamb | WR Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
NFL National Football League The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing... |
Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
1991–1993 | |
| Tim Mooney | DE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
NFL National Football League The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing... |
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
1987 |
NAIA national football championship
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football National Championship is decided by a post-season playoff system featuring the best NAIA college football teams in the United States. Under sponsorship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the championship game has...
and lost to Westminster (Pa.), 21–16.
The Anderson Ravens football team won the HCAC conference title in 2001 season.
Two former AU players currently playing professional football are Hyman Smith and Joel Steele. In 2008, a new all-weather synthetic field turf and outdoor game lights were installed at Macholtz Stadium
Macholtz Stadium
Macholtz Stadium is a 4,300-seat multi-purpose stadium in Anderson, Indiana. The facility is located on the campus of Anderson University and is named in honor of Dr. James Macholtz who served as coach of the Anderson University football and Track and Field programs.The stadium is primarily used...
.
The Kevin Donley Era
Kevin DonleyKevin Donley
Kevin Donley is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a position he has held since the program's inception; Donley was named head coach in April 1997, and the Saint Francis Cougars began play in the...
has been one of the most successful coaches in NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
football. After graduating from Anderson College in 1973, Donley returned to his alma mater in 1976 to serve two seasons as offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
. In 1978, at the age of 26, Donley was named the youngest head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
in the country. Over the next four years, Donley’s teams would compile an overall record of 28-9 (.757), winning the conference title in 1980 and 1981. Through 2009 and 63 years of Anderson football history, Donley’s overall winning percentage stands as the best among all Anderson football coaches.
1978
(5-4 overall, 4-4 conference)1979
(7-2 overall, 6-2 conference)1980
(8-1 overall, 7-1 conference)1981
(8-2 overall, 8-0 conference)Baseball
The baseball teams has qualified for postseason tournaments 30 of the last 32 years and 99 percent of the four-year players have graduated. Some notable accomplishments are:- Eight World Series appearances
- 19 years in the final Top 20 Coaches Poll
- 16 conference championships
- 32 players signed professional contracts
- NAIA Indiana champions 12 times, 8 of last 9 years in NAIA
- 6 NCAA Div. III Regional appearances since 1993
- 3 NCAA Div. III World Series appearances.