There are teams that expect to win.
If it has New York before its name, Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles, there is a certain expectation and winning tradition that garner attention in every sport.
I might also throw DePauw onto that list.
Last spring, the Tigers captured their sixth-straight SCAC President's trophy and seventh overall. The trophy, a 300-pound railroad bell, is awarded to the school with the best overall sports program. Points are given to teams by their standing within the conference at the end of the season.
DePauw beat out second place finisher Trinity University by 105 points with a total of 797.5.
As the university begins competition in a new conference, I don't expect that excellence to change.
In fall sports, every head coach is returning and new assistant coaches bring different perspectives and skills.
One theme resounded from all seven of the fall sports coaches: the Tigers are ready to win in the NCAC.
In the same conversations, they also told me their NCAC rivals are preparing for them as well.
Consider this: DePauw coaches have to learn the tendencies and strategies of nine different opposing coaches. Those nine only have to learn one.
They will learn about our field hockey team lead by junior goal-scoring machine Margaret Ellis, supported by dynamic midfielders Caroline Torie and Chelsea Cutler.
They will learn of senior goalkeeper Nate Sprenkle and his excellent defense led by Alex Johnson. And that the men's soccer team is out for vengeance after last year's post season snub.
They will learn that a 10-7 record from the women's soccer team is in no way indicative of the talent and skill they actually possess with their youth.
They will learn of Noah Droddy and Jess Macy as NCAA Div. III cross-country stars who are a threat to win every race in which they compete.
And finally, they will learn about a football team that has qualified for the Div. III playoffs for the past two years, the only years in team history.
While questions are asked about the quarterback and wide receiver positions, veteran players like Lewis Brown, Matt Johnson, Myron Burr and Jon Ellis look to lead the team through its transition year into the NCAC. It will face two NCAC opponents in Allegheny College and Ohio Wesleyan University this season as a taste of the new conference.
DePauw's rise to prominence in Div. III athletics has been steady over the past six years of winning the President's Trophy. We now have a reputation. While we had a target on our backs in many SCAC games, the competition will be even more fierce in the NCAC.
New challenges await each coach with the transition, but I'm betting on our athletes to accept the challenge and carry over the success.
— Michael Apelgate is a junior from Kent, Wash. majoring in communications. He is the sports and multimedia editor for The DePauw.
sports@thedepauw.com