7 Shocking Recent Triumphs And Key Updates From Calumet St. Joseph Athletics (2025-2026)
The Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) Crimson Wave Athletics program has recently concluded a remarkable run of success across multiple sports, solidifying its place as a competitive force within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). As of late December 2025, the college's teams have delivered headline-grabbing performances, most notably the Sprint Football team's dominant path to the championship and the Women's Bowling team's impressive national tournament finish, providing a fresh wave of excitement for the 2025-2026 athletic calendar.
The latest updates from the Whiting, Indiana campus highlight the depth of the Crimson Wave's success, with individual athletes earning prestigious conference awards and multiple teams competing for league titles. This article dives into the seven most significant and recent achievements that are defining the current era of CCSJ athletics.
The Crimson Wave Athletic Administration and Program Profile
The Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) is a private, four-year Catholic institution that competes in the NAIA, primarily as a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). The athletic program, known as the Crimson Wave, is overseen by its dedicated administrative staff, which ensures the success of both the athletic and academic pursuits of its student-athletes.
Key CCSJ Athletic Entities and Leadership
- Institution: Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ)
- Mascot: Crimson Wave
- Affiliation: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
- Primary Conference: Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC)
- Athletic Director: David Lopez (who also serves as the Head Coach for Softball)
- Assistant Athletic Director: Brian Nowakowski
- Senior Vice President: Johnny Craig
- Men's Basketball Head Coach: Jason Hawkins
The college offers a wide array of sports, including Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Soccer, and Track & Field, with the Sprint Football program making significant recent headlines in the Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL).
7 Defining Moments from the 2025 CCSJ Athletic Season
The end of 2025 brought a flurry of high-stakes competition and significant accolades for the Crimson Wave, particularly in their non-traditional sports programs, which are quickly becoming the face of CCSJ success.
1. Sprint Football Secures MSFL Regular Season Championship
The CCSJ Sprint Football team, a unique and dynamic program, demonstrated true dominance by clinching the Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL) Regular Season Champions title. This achievement set the stage for their postseason run, highlighting the program's consistent high-level performance and strategic coaching throughout the year.
2. Fourth Consecutive MSFL Championship Appearance
The Crimson Wave’s semifinal victory over Midway with a final score of 19–7 secured their spot in the 2025 MSFL Championship game. This marks the fourth time in the program's four-year history that the team has advanced to the league championship, an extraordinary streak of consistency and excellence. The semifinal win was a testament to the team's resilience and competitive spirit.
3. Jeau Vinatieri Named MSFL Special Teams Player of the Year
In a major individual recognition, sophomore kicker Jeau Vinatieri was honored as the 2025 MSFL Special Teams Player of the Year. Vinatieri’s powerful and accurate kicking was a game-changer for the Crimson Wave, earning him the prestigious award and a Collegiate Sprint Football League Hub All-American nod. This award underscores the strength of the specialized roles within the CCSJ Sprint Football program.
4. 18 Sprint Football Players Earn All-Conference Honors
The team’s success was reflected in the large number of players who received individual recognition. A staggering 18 CCSJ Sprint Football players were named to the MSFL All-Conference team. This massive representation is a clear indicator of the team's overall talent and depth, with players like Kaydarious Jones earning a spot on the First Team All-Conference roster. Additionally, another player, Busse, was also acknowledged with a prestigious MSFL award.
5. Women’s Bowling Secures 3rd Place Finish in Las Vegas
The Women's Bowling team delivered a stunning performance on the national stage in late December 2025, finishing 3rd overall at the highly competitive Las Vegas Glenn Carlson Invitational. This top-tier finish against strong opponents demonstrates the Crimson Wave's prowess in USBC-affiliated collegiate bowling.
6. Woodcock-Bilger Makes Women’s Bowling All-Tournament Team
Further highlighting the team's success in Las Vegas, bowler Woodcock-Bilger was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Glenn Carlson Invitational. This individual accolade recognizes her exceptional performance and consistency throughout the four-day competition, bringing national attention to the CCSJ Women's Bowling program.
7. Men’s Bowling Lands in the Top 10 at National Tournament
Not to be outdone, the CCSJ Men's Bowling team also had a strong showing at the Las Vegas Glenn Carlson Invitational, finishing a respectable 7th place overall. This collective success across both the men's and women's bowling teams suggests a robust and highly competitive bowling program at Calumet College of St. Joseph, with future competitions like the USBC Intercollegiate Team Sectional already on the horizon.
The Future of Crimson Wave Athletics: Basketball and Beyond
While the Sprint Football and Bowling teams closed out 2025 with major accomplishments, the focus is now shifting to the winter and spring sports, particularly Men's and Women's Basketball, who compete in the challenging CCAC.
The Men's Basketball season kicked off with the home opener against Simmons College on October 31, 2025, setting the stage for the rest of the 2025-2026 campaign. Under the guidance of Head Coach Jason Hawkins, the team aims to build momentum and compete for a spot in the NAIA national tournament.
The recent success in Sprint Football and Bowling is a clear indicator of the overall positive trajectory of the Calumet St. Joseph Athletics department under the leadership of Athletic Director David Lopez. The program is successfully leveraging its affiliation with the NAIA and its membership in the CCAC and MSFL to provide a high-quality, competitive experience for its student-athletes. With a strong foundation of individual and team achievements, the Crimson Wave is poised for a successful 2026 across all its sports programs.
Detail Author:
- Name : Reece Hoppe MD
- Username : heidenreich.aiyana
- Email : jovan51@frami.com
- Birthdate : 1982-02-09
- Address : 57747 Cronin Keys Hoytton, VT 29945
- Phone : +16188870651
- Company : Fay Group
- Job : Painting Machine Operator
- Bio : Eius aut est quod autem. Earum sint accusantium asperiores voluptates aliquid aperiam id. Voluptatibus accusantium blanditiis modi. Veniam non est et magnam omnis ad. Et et dolorem iste sit quaerat.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/yvonne_xx
- username : yvonne_xx
- bio : Minus ipsa id quod sit nihil. Qui cumque a est possimus vel et minima enim. Et dolores repellendus sed et fugiat qui.
- followers : 6636
- following : 1494
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@kirlin2016
- username : kirlin2016
- bio : Minus officiis molestiae repellendus nulla.
- followers : 6024
- following : 723
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/yvonne_kirlin
- username : yvonne_kirlin
- bio : Consequatur earum quia voluptatem magnam qui. Et enim nam ex in ipsam consequuntur.
- followers : 2307
- following : 997
