Athletics Archives

Best-Case Scenario: Hackman Heffner Grateful for Family, Hillsdale

As a high school standout from the northern suburbs of Chicago, Sarah Hackman Heffner, ’23, was recruited to play tennis at Hillsdale. Her twin brother, Brian Hackman, ’23, was also a tennis standout. The coaches were able to persuade the twins to make Hillsdale “a package deal.”

Designing Woman: Sarah Klopfer Supervises Creative Design at ESPN

Klopfer, ’16, credits her Hillsdale experiences leading her to some amazing post-graduation career opportunities. She has gone from designing media guide graphics for Hillsdale College Athletics to working for the top sports media company in the world.

Generations: Emerson Family Spans More Than 90 Years of Hillsdale Athletics

More than 130 years ago, the first member of the Emerson family walked the Hillsdale College campus as a student. Since that time, 18 additional family members have attended Hillsdale, become student-athletes, and left a family heritage of which very few can boast.

A Teacher First: The Pool is Kurt Kirner’s Classroom

The Chargers Swimming program has been doing things the right way during Kirner’s nearly two decades at the helm of the program, consistently finishing as a team near the top of the G-MAC—including a “title wave” of conference championships from 2020-2022—and garnering numerous individual honors as well.

Hammer Time: Thrower Ben Haas Wins Double National Championships

The first time Ben Haas, ’26, visited the Hillsdale College campus, he was told he had the raw potential to be a national champion someday. Four years later, Haas made that potential a reality, becoming the first double NCAA champion in men’s track and field at Hillsdale since the Chargers moved from the NAIA in 1998.

Strength Through a Setback: Anna Chellman Perseveres

Anna Chellman, ’26, has learned through softball that commitment to excellence takes diligence, even when a possible career-ending injury seems to crush years of dedication. She’s no stranger to commitment, challenges, and success. It’s evidence of “doing hard things,” all while keeping her team’s best interest in mind.

Triple Threat, No Regrets: Marilyn Popplewell Excels in Three Sports

Excelling at one sport in college is a dream come true for most athletes. Marilyn Popplewell, ’25, made the most of her final school year, making a huge impact in three different sports—volleyball, basketball, and track and field—to become Hillsdale’s first true three-sport athlete in more than two decades.

Determined to Finish: Paige Howell O’Leary Overcomes Serious Injury to Complete Degree

A summer trip up north changed everything for Paige Howell O’Leary, ’93. She sustained a serious head injury that ended her playing career as a member of the Chargers women’s basketball team. In fact, her doctors recommended that she leave school. She refused and persevered.

Bringing Out the Best: Homan Succeeds in Basketball and Business

Tim Homan, ’08, earned first team all-conference honors and became one of the leading scorers in the GLIAC. He remains the most accurate career three-point shooter in program history and finished with more than 1,400 career points. Homan adopted his former coach’s philosophy of team and energy when he started his business, Stealth Arms.

Far From Basic Training: Sports Medicine and Performance Team Recognized as Conference’s Best

Tyler Cortright leads a team that includes a head trainer, athletic trainers, a head strength and conditioning coach, and medical director. They are all part of the team that keeps the Chargers in peak physical condition in all 14 of Hillsdale’s varsity sports.

On the Ball: Super Sophomore Trio Brings Chargers Golf to the Forefront

The first month of college for a freshman is supposed to be a time of transition and adjustment to new responsibilities and a new life. It’s not usually a time to be bringing home trophies. However, a trio of precocious men’s golfers at Hillsdale College—Oliver Marshall, Ryan O’Rourke, and Robert Thompson—defied the odds.

A Wild Ride: Lundberg Retires After 40 Years at Hillsdale College

Ask Bill Lundberg to sum up his 40 years at Hillsdale College, and he is at a loss for words. After spending his first 27 years as a head coach for the men’s cross country and track and field programs and more than a decade as the head of the Hillsdale College Wellness Initiative, Lundberg retired from the College in May.