Union College is a National Champion!: The Union Soccer and Volleyball Teams Bring Home a National Title

You may shake your head in bewilderment on how in the world Union College won a national championship, but let me explain. Union College won the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) DIII Championship in 2020 because of crazy circumstances, luck and a little loophole in the rule book. 

COVID-19 has caused many setbacks, problems and cancellations in 2020 for colleges and athletic programs across the country. Most programs began the year as usual by wearing masks and following the CDC guidelines. However, college students like to party and socialize, so it did not take much time at all until sports teams began contracting the virus. 

Because of COVID-19 spreading on campuses, sports programs all around the nation began to cancel. Union College stayed open and their sports programs remained operational due to such low COVID-19 numbers. Since Union College could play soccer and volleyball games, and other teams had to cancel due to unsafe practices and COVID-19 transmission, forfeits were called. This happened week in and week out until the volleyball and soccer team amassed enough wins to enter the playoff bracket entirely from forfeit wins. 

With the last wave of COVID-19 plaguing the nation, no other soccer or volleyball team in DIII NCCAA sports could play except for Union College. This amounted to a forfeit win in every playoff game and ultimately the National Championship for the Warriors teams. This is the first national championship that Union College has ever won. 

As strange as it may sound, your Union College Warriors are the 2020 DIII NCCAA National Champions. Find the volleyball and soccer players and give them a shout of congratulations to show your support and love. This very well could be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so cherish it and celebrate. Go Warriors!

Joel Shetler is a Junior

Science Ed Major from

Ruckersville, Virginia