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Honoring the Past, Playing for the Future: MVNU Gears Up for Homecoming Game
By Naomi Kinne, Staff Writer
As homecoming weekend approaches, excitement grows across the campus of MVNU. Current students are anticipating the special homecoming chapel, while alumni are looking forward to returning to campus to reconnect with old friends during class reunions. For the Cougar men’s basketball team and Head Coach Jared Ronai, homecoming weekend means another thing: game time!
To Coach Ronai, however, homecoming is about more than a basketball game. It is an opportunity to connect with alumni and hear their MVNU stories. “Alumni from multiple generations will be back on campus, and it is awesome to see how much this great university has meant to so many throughout the years,” Ronai said. As part of his decade-long legacy, he has poured into MVNU by building the foundation of the program on Christ.
As the season continues, Ronai is excited to see his players step into leadership roles while keeping their focus on faith. One of those leaders is a fifth-year senior, Trent Koning, who has been a steady influence in the program.
For Koning’s final season as a Cougar, he is honored to continue the tradition of playing in the homecoming game. “Being able to give it my best effort on the court to honor the alumni is something I take a lot of pride in, and I am super grateful to do,” he said. Koning is determined to finish his final season strong while leading the team into the future.
While Koning’s basketball career is nearing its end, Bede Lori still has two more seasons ahead of him as a Cougar. Lori, who began playing basketball at just three years old, said that competing at the college level in front of a homecoming crowd means a lot to him.
One of Lori’s favorite aspects of the homecoming game is connecting with graduates from the game. “I love seeing the former players that I have played with or have heard Coach talk about. It’s cool to be able to meet them and hear about their experience at MVNU,” Lori said. Because he was drawn to MVNU and the team’s strong culture, he sees homecoming as an opportunity to meet the faces who built that culture.
To join in on the homecoming festivities head to Ariel Arena on Friday, Nov. 14 as the Cougars tip off at 7:30 p.m. Cheer on Coach Ronai and his team as they continue their season and celebrate another chapter in MVNU’s basketball tradition.
A Global Game: MVNU Men’s Soccer Welcomes 18 Nations and New Coach
by Naomi Kinne, Staff Writer
The MVNU men’s soccer team enters the new season with many fresh faces, including a new head coach and a variety of international athletes. Of the 52 players, 25 traveled from 18 different countries outside of the U.S.
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Before MVNU, coach Kaleb Blevins started coaching at 14 and has since coached for club and college teams. He played college soccer at Ohio Christian University. At MVNU, he appreciates the Christian environment as well as the high-level soccer, saying, “It’s a very tight knit community feel here. I think that the guys definitely have a brotherhood between the players. The community aspect of all of it is really unique.” Blevins has seen the team’s diversity as a blessing and is excited to lead the Cougars this season.
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One of Blevins’ recent recruits was Elkana Maier. Just four weeks ago, Maier traveled more than 4,000 miles from Germany to MVNU. He gave up having no speed limits in Germany to study business and be a midfielder for the Cougars.
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Maier was drawn to MVNU because of the coach’s openness and kindness. “I wanted to go to college to play soccer. The coach talked to me and was really open. He saw me as a player and was really kind,” he explained. Maier has a goal of leading the Cougars to the playoffs and a national title. Off the field, Maier feels very welcomed at MVNU and loves how friendly and genuine everyone is.
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This is Maier’s first time in America, but Matias Del Solar has lived in America for the past two years. Originally from Peru, Del Solar transferred to MVNU from a community college in Texas.
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Del Solar loves his home country, especially its food. “My favorite food there is ceviche, and we are number one in the world for gastronomy,” he said. He loves Peru—but also enjoys life in America. Like Maier, Del Solar was drawn to MVNU by the team and coach. He believes that the team has skilled players and is eager to win the conference championship.
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The Cougars are off to a strong start under Blevins, with a record of 4-1-2.
Fans can catch them in action at CH4 Stadium against Goshen on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.