Caroline Curnutt is grateful that a sixth-grade classmate brought a lacrosse stick to recess one school day in Fishers, Indiana. The sport has taken the now–Hope College senior lacrosse standout to many places and has been a transformational force in her life.

Curnutt, a three-time All-MIAA defender for the three-time MIAA champion Flying Dutch, is this month’s guest on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast.

The elementary education major spoke with Sports Information Director Alan Babbitt about her introduction to lacrosse and how the sport propelled her to experience the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences.

“I’m really not sure what drew me to it. We didn’t have a middle school lacrosse team at my school, but for some reason, my friends and I decided that we wanted to have one,” Curnutt said. “My sixth-grade year, my friends, some of my soccer teammates, and I got together. Our PE and health teacher was willing to coach our team, and I played my first season of lacrosse.

“Having a coach at my school, and then in club that summer, who really saw potential in me and was willing to call that out, really encouraged me. Somebody saw that I could be a great defender, called out those qualities in me and wanted to help me grow. I think that’s what really helped the sport take root and led me to truly love it for myself.”

Growing Through Faith

Four years later, Curnutt visited Hope College while vacationing in Michigan at the recommendation of a neighbor. The soon-to-be high school sophomore met with Flying Dutch women’s lacrosse coach Keagan Pieri on her first college visit.

After navigating the college recruiting process, Curnutt felt drawn to Hope College and the women’s lacrosse program, committing to the Flying Dutch.

On the field, Curnutt has been a driving force in Hope winning the first MIAA regular-season and tournament titles in program history and becoming the first team in league history to claim three consecutive tournament championships. The Flying Dutch have a chance this spring to become the first team to four-peat in MIAA women’s lacrosse.

Off the field, Curnutt has found academic success as a three-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipient and a member of the inaugural 2024-25 MIAA Academic Elite class. She has also grown her faith through organizations such as MetByLove and mission trips, including last summer’s travel to Zambia through Hope Athletics’ Sports Evangelism to Equip Disciples (SEED).

“I’m reminded that people at Hope want to know God,” Curnutt said. “Athletes here are hungry to grow their faith.”

Read a transcript of the Orange and Blue Podcast interview

Tim Peterson is grateful for every step he’s taken at Hope College, whether running for the Hope College cross country and track teams, pursuing a nursing major, or participating in a SEED mission trip through Hope College Athletics.

The junior from Portage, Michigan (Portage Northern), was a special guest on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast earlier this fall.

Peterson spoke with Sports Information Director Alan Babbitt about his experience with the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence, and transformational experiences.

“Cross country has become not just a sport to me, but it is integrated into my life,” Peterson said. “It’s where I’ve met some of my absolute best friends. I’ve been able to give glory to God through it when I’ve had success.”

On Saturday, Peterson experienced the thrill of the 17th-ranked Flying Dutchmen’s 16th MIAA championship in cross country—the first for the program since 1986. Peterson clocked a 46th-place, 8K time of 26 minutes, 59.6 seconds, one of 19 Hope runners who finished among the top 50 of the field.

Running is only part of Peterson’s life as a student-athlete. He is pursuing a nursing major and enjoys every day in the classroom.

“Since coming to Hope, that passion has only grown,” Peterson said on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast. “The nursing faculty, my classmates, and clinical experiences have all confirmed that this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Peterson is also minoring in Spanish, a language that proved helpful during last summer’s Sports Evangelism to Equip Disciples (SEED) trip to Costa Rica.

“The SEED trip was incredible—truly life-changing,” Peterson said on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast. “I was encouraged to go by older teammates who’d been on previous trips. We went to Costa Rica with student-athletes from several teams and Coach Peter Stuursma as one of our leaders. We spent the week doing Bible studies, playing sports with kids, and distributing Sawyer water filters to provide clean water for families.

“As a Spanish minor, I also got to use my language skills daily, which made the experience even more meaningful. The combination of faith, sport, and service was powerful.”

Read the interview transcript.

Cole Luhmann ’25 pursued excellence on and off the football field at Hope College — and found it. This month’s guest on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast, the Rochester, Michigan, native transformed from a wide-eyed freshman into an All-American linebacker as a senior and a graduate of the college’s business program.

Luhmann reflected on his pursuit of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences during the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast conversation with Sports Information Director Alan Babbitt.

The son of Hope College graduates and a Stoney Creek High School alumnus, Luhmann discussed the mentorship he received from coaches and professors at Hope, how he chose business as a major, and what it took to become a nationally honored student-athlete.

He also shared how the place where his parents attended college helped him grow his Christian faith, particularly through weekly chapels hosted by Campus Ministries.

Senior Success

As a senior, Luhmann spearheaded a fierce Flying Dutchmen defense that contributed to a historic football season. Hope recorded two program firsts during the 2024 season:

The Flying Dutchmen also won an outright MIAA title, going 7-0 while allowing just 10.0 points per game and scoring 42.1 points per game.

Luhmann earned All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association (first team) and the Associated Press (second team). He was also a D3football.com all-region honoree, the MIAA’s Most Valuable Defensive Player and an All-MIAA First Team selection.

In April, he was named Hope’s Male Athlete of the Year at the annual HOPEYs awards ceremony.

Written transcript of the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast interview

Active, as an adjective, is defined as engaging or being ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits. A picture of Connor Vachon, this month’s guest on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast, could accompany the word in the dictionary.

The 2025 Hope College graduate and standout runner kept his feet and mind active through four years as a student-athlete. 

Vachon (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison HS) excelled in the classroom as a secondary education major as well as a nationally distinguished runner for the Flying Dutchmen cross country and track teams.

On Friday, Vachon topped his own record at the annual chocolate milk mile championships in Pinckney, Michigan.

In April, Vachon was named the male recipient of the Hope Athletics Be Strong. Be True. Athlete Award of the Year award at the annual HOPEYs ceremony. 

The Be Strong, Be True. Athlete of the Year Award is presented to a junior or senior who demonstrates the true essence of being a student-athlete and embodies the Division III motto of Discover, Develop, Dedicate. This student-athlete is in high academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.5), plays a significant role on the team, and is involved in the Hope and Holland community.

Vachon, a secondary education major and 12-time letterwinner, reflected on his rewarding Hope career during the latest episode of the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast. Monthly conversations on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast spotlight student-athlete and staff experiences with the Hope Athletics mission.

This fall, Vachon will complete his student teaching, then pursue a career in education.

Earlier this month, Vachon claimed academic all-district honors from the College Sports Communicators in track and field/cross country.

In track and field, Vachon raced to NCAA Division III All-America Second Team laurels as a junior in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships. He’s also received United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association all-region honors in four outdoor and indoor events combined. He was an MIAA indoor or outdoor champion in four events combined.

In cross country, Vachon helped the Flying Dutchmen qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time in 34 years, posting the Great Lakes Region’s top finish at nationals and placing 96th individually. Vachon earned All-MIAA honors four times, including Most Valuable Runner accolades as a sophomore.

Read a transcript of the interview

Serving is the name of the game for Alison DeWeerd ‘25, whether it be on the volleyball court or, more importantly, during her upcoming professional career off the court.

The recent Hope College graduate plans to start a Master of Social Work (MSW) program this summer.

DeWeerd discussed her future plans during the latest episode of the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast, which features conversations with student-athletes and staff about their experiences with the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences.

A two-time Honorable-Mention All-American middle hitter who helped the Flying Dutch reach the NCAA Division III Elite Eight three times during her career, DeWeerd reflected on her journey with the sport of volleyball and her four rewarding years as a Hope College student-athlete during the podcast.

The 6-0 DeWeerd played in 106 career matches for the Flying Dutch, including 102 over her final three seasons. Averaging 2.47 kills and 0.75 blocks per set, DeWeerd became an integral part of Hope’s attack. DeWeerd also thrived in a leadership role, serving as a co-captain as a junior and senior.

The Flying Dutch posted a 110-19 record the past four seasons (.853). Hope finished as national runner-up in 2023. The Flying Dutch were a national semifinalist in 2024 and a national quarterfinalist in 2022.

DeWeerd claimed Honorable Mention All-America accolades as a junior and senior. Also, DeWeerd claimed All-MIAA recognition three times, including first-team distinction in 2023 and 2024.

Off the court, DeWeerd also took part in two international summer trips: 2022 to the Dominican Republic as part of the Sport Evangelism to Equip Disciples (SEED) mission trip and in 2024 to Brazil as part of a volleyball team trip.

In April, DeWeerd was selected as Hope’s Female Be Strong. BeTrue. Athlete of the Year. The Be Strong, Be True. Athlete of the Year Award is presented to a junior or senior who demonstrates the true essence of being a student-athlete and embodies the Division III motto of Discover, Develop, Dedicate. The student-athlete is in high academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.5), plays a significant role on the team, and is involved in the Hope and Holland community.

Read a transcript of the interview

Hope College hockey defenseman Nolan Holtrop and swimmer Grace Wesley are featured on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast.

The two seniors discussed their time as Hope College student-athletes, the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences, and competing for two of the nation’s top athletic programs.

Holtrop (Walker, Michigan / Kenowa Hills HS) and Wesley (Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan / Grosse Pointe North) also shared about their mission trip to Zambia last summer with the college’s Sports Evangelism to Equip Disciples (SEED) program.

A business major, Holtrop was a key leader on the Flying Dutchmen’s American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 3 national championship team this season.

Wesley, an exercise science major, also led the Flying Dutch swimming and diving team to a fifth consecutive Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title and ninth place in the nation, the program’s second top-10 finish in three years at the NCAA Division III Championships.

The podcast episode is part of Hope College’s NCAA Division III Week celebration.

The annual nationwide event highlights the positive impact Division III student-athletes have on their campuses and in their community. Hope is a founding member of Division III, which started in 1973. Learn more about Division III at ncaa.org/d3.

Hope College swimmer Dallas Fisher is featured on this week’s Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast.

The senior electrical engineering major from Highland, Michigan (Detroit Catholic Central HS) talked about his rewarding experience in the pool with the Flying Dutchmen and the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences.

Fisher also shared about his mission trip to Costa Rica last summer as part of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

Today’s podcast episode is part of Hope College’s NCAA Division III Week celebration. The annual nationwide event highlights the positive impact Division III student-athletes have on their campuses and in their community. Hope is a founding member of Division III, which started in 1973. Learn more about Division III at ncaa.org/d3.

This week’s final of four podcast episodes is scheduled to be downloaded on Sunday, April 13: seniors Grace Wesley (swimming) and Nolan Holtrop (hockey) discuss their experiences on a SEED mission trip to Zambia last summer.

Hope College senior runner Tyler King and soccer defender Oliva Dieppa are featured on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast this week.

The student-athletes discuss the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experiences. They also share their memories from a Sport Evangelism to Equip Disciples (SEED) mission trip last summer to Kenya.

Today’s podcast episode is part of Hope College’s NCAA Division III Week celebration. The annual nationwide event highlights the positive impact Division III student-athletes have on their campuses and in their community. Hope is a founding member of Division III, which started in 1973. Learn more about Division III at ncaa.org/d3.

King, a native of Villabrook, Illinois, majors in biochemistry and molecular biology while competing for the Flying Dutchmen cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field teams.

Dieppa, a native of Hudsonville, Michigan, majors in exercise science while playing soccer for the Flying Dutch.

Two more Orange and Blue Podcast episodes will be available this week:

Inspired by Colossians 1:16, Jerry Root ’75 has loved to meet and get to know Hope College student-athletes and coaches over the past 17 years.

A former college athlete and youth coach himself, Root enjoys talking sports with anyone, especially Hope College teams. Yet, he revels even more in digging deeper with individuals, learning who they are and walking alongside their faith journeys.

Root’s calling to minister at Hope the past 17 years has garnered the appreciation of hundreds and, now, the college’s H-Club “Hope for Humanity” Award. 

The volunteer associate chaplain of athletics will be honored during a reception at the college’s kinesiology office on Monday, April 14, and during the Hope Athletics HOPEYs awards ceremony that evening at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Root is a special guest on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast series that is airing during NCAA Division III Week across the country.

Root played basketball for the Flying Dutchmen, transferring to Hope from Grand Rapids Junior College long before the transfer portal became en vogue like it is today. He graduated from Hope with a degree in education and worked in the field for 33 years before retiring.

In 2008, Root began volunteering as an athletics chaplain at his alma mater. 

A curious and caring nature, modeled by his loving mother growing up, drew Root to teaching and coaching, then ministry. God’s words in Colossians make balancing sport and Christian faith possible, Root said.

“One of my favorites Bible verses I share a lot is Colossians 1:16. It talks about us being made by God and for God,” Root said. “It so fits into the athletic life of training and eating properly. To translate this into ‘I have this body. I have this platform. I have this message.’ Athletics does mesh quite nicely with our Christian faith.”

Three more Orange and Blue Podcast episodes will be available this week:

Cara Anderson and AJ Boucher pour themselves into everything they do for Hope College and Hope College Athletics.

Anderson, who is graduating this December after majoring in social work, has been a team manager for the Flying Dutch women’s lacrosse team. The Adrian, Michigan, native and Lenawee Christian High School graduate also works in the college’s admissions office as a tour guide and team leader.

Boucher is a junior elementary education major and a midfielder on the Flying Dutchmen soccer team. The Delton, Michigan, native and Richland Gull-Lake High School graduate also works as a campus tour guide.

Earlier this summer, Anderson and Boucher stepped away from familiar roles to serve during a Sports Evangelism to Equip Disciples (SEED) mission trip to Costa Rica. Both talked about their experience in Season 4’s fifth episode of the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast.

As part of the mission trip, the group delivered Sawyer water filters to remote areas of the country. These filters, which can last for as many as 20 years, provided a poignant reminder of how God can work through us, Anderson said.

“We did some sports camps with kids out in those communities. One of these days we were up in the mountains … and it was super hot,” Anderson said. “One of the girls on our team asked one of the little girls she was with ‘Do you want some water?’ For the first time, that girl could have been like ‘I have clean water.’ That made me so emotional. We are so blessed here [in the United States]. We have clean water. In those communities, they rely so heavily on each other and the community that’s right there. Taking them clean water was such a gift. 

“We got to share the gospel with the water filters. Jesus makes us clean and he doesn’t care if we’re dirty and messy and no matter what, we come out clean. The combination of all those things was such a gift, really shifted my perspective.”

Boucher felt God working throughout the sports camps as well.

“We had lacrosse, soccer, and basketball. We did some jump rope. We blew some bubbles as well,” Boucher said. “Every single one of them [soccer] was their favorite sport. I think for me, it touched me because it brought me a new joy to see that to my sport. I think I appreciated soccer a little bit more coming back to the States. 

“Honestly, it has given me a reason why I want to be a coach in the future. I want to see kids with that joy that I saw playing the sport that I love in Costa Rica. I want to see that joy here in the States. I think right now, soccer’s growing, but I want it to get to a point where it’s the most popular thing and it just brings that joy that I saw in Costa Rica. That really impacted me a lot.”

Written transcript