As seen in the Fall 2025 DU Review magazine

 

Davenport University’s student body has nearly 5,000 students, 1,000 of whom are athletes. These student-athletes choose to attend Davenport for a variety of reasons, including the university’s reputation as a high-quality educational institution and the chance to play sports for the Panthers. Regardless of what brings them to Davenport, they are held to the same high standards when it comes to prioritizing educational excellence. The opportunity to play collegiate sports is a dream come true for many, but the ultimate goal is to graduate and earn a degree that will lead to a rewarding career.

Davenport celebrates academic success

During the 2024/2025 academic year, an impressive 220 Davenport student-athletes earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) academic honors. Of those recognized, 79 received academic honors (3.0-3.49 GPA) and 141 earned academic excellence (3.5-above GPA) designations. In addition, numerous Davenport athletes and several teams also received academic honors in sports not affiliated with the GLIAC.

“High academic achievement among student-athletes is a major point of pride at Davenport and reflects the university’s strong commitment to developing well-rounded individuals,” said Paul Lowden, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Last year, the sum of Davenport athletes carried a 3.3 GPA, which is pretty incredible.”

The women’s golf team is a great example of academic and athletic excellence. The team was recognized for its scholarly performance during the 2024-2025 season by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). Davenport was able to finish with the fourth-highest GPA in NCAA Division II with a 3.879 team GPA, earning a spot on the WGCA All-American Scholar Team. Five women on Davenport’s golf team were also individually recognized for academic performance.

Jess Niemiec, head coach for the women’s golf team, said she is incredibly proud of her team’s accomplishments, both on the course and in the classroom. “To consistently rank in the top five academically in NCAA Division II Women’s Golf for seven consecutive years is a testament to their discipline and commitment to their education,” she said. “It’s not easy to balance the demands of being a student-athlete, and they do an outstanding job.”

According to Niemiec, members of her team know that hard work pays off , and they push each other to achieve their academic, athletic and personal goals. “They’re not just teammates, they’re a true support system for each other that extends beyond the golf course,” she said. “Whether they’re navigating a tough round, studying for a midterm, or just need someone to talk to, they share a common respect for one another’s individual strengths and always have each other’s backs.”

Last year, the team took home six top-3 finishes, one tournament team win, and advanced for the second year in a row to postseason competition in the NCAA DII Women’s Golf East Regionals. Under her guidance, the golfers broke two team records and one individual record.

When it comes to the upcoming season, Niemiec is confident about her program and the direction it’s headed. “What excites me most is how committed this group is to improving every day,” she said. “The work ethic and drive they’ve shown have been outstanding. With their passion for the game and continued hard work, I believe we’ll get to our goal of going to post-season competition again this year!”

At Davenport, success is a team effort

To help student-athletes reach their educational potential, Davenport provides wrap-around support from its coaching staff , Faculty Athletic Representative, Wellness Center, tutors, Student Life and more.

Coaching staff

Lowden said the university’s coaches are fully invested in student-athletes’ academic success. This personalized approach consists of grade tracking and time management planning around travel and competitions. It also includes early intervention for athletes struggling with a course, and mandatory study hall hours for underclassmen or those with GPAs below a certain threshold. What’s more, the coaching staff motivates their athletes by encouraging them to be champions on and off the field, emphasizing responsibility, accountability, discipline and balance.

Faculty Athletic Representative

Todd Pitts, associate professor of management for Davenport University and faculty athletics representative (FAR), serves as a liaison between faculty and the Athletic Department. He supports student-athletes and makes sure they understand that they are students first and athletes second. “If a student-athlete is struggling in class, having personal issues or facing mental health challenges, I step in. Often, this involves looping in other departments to help them work through challenges,” he said.

The Keith and Kathryn Klingenberg Wellness Center

The university’s Klingenberg Wellness Center has seen a steady growth of students seeking counseling, especially athletes. “The pressure of being a student athlete can be significant, and we want our athletes to know that our counselors can help them work through expectations and feelings of pressure and anxiety, and that no issue is too big or too small,” said Darrin Oliver, lead counselor. “We also support injured athletes impacted by depression, anxiety and identity loss.”

Tutors

All students have access to free 24/7 online tutoring, which is especially helpful for student-athletes who may need assistance with their homework or test preparation outside of normal hours due to competitions and travel.

Student life

Student Life supports student-athletes by providing fun events that foster connections beyond teams and classrooms. They also provide accommodations to athletes with disabilities, impairments or temporary physical setbacks.