Home Game Facilities
STUDENT CENTER | Photo Gallery
Built in 2008, the Davenport University Student Center became the first ever home site for many of the Panther athletic teams. Davenport, which rejuvenated its athletic program in 2002-2003, started with just women's basketball and men's hockey programs. The following year, DU added men's basketball and golf programs.
It was not until 2004-2005 that the school became a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in which its basketball and golf programs became official varsity sports.
The first ever athletic event held inside the Student Center was a women's volleyball match against Indiana Tech on October 21, 2008. The Panthers battled the #17 ranked Warriors, but fell 0-3. The program's first win at home came on October 23 when the Panthers defeated UM-Dearborn 3-1. The first season saw DU post a 4-2 record inside the Student Center.
The men's basketball team opened its 2008-2009 campaign with the first ever basketball game inside the Student Center on Dedication weekend at Davenport. The Panthers posted an 83-39 victory over Kuyper College on November 1, 2008.
The women's basketball team waited one more week to open their home season, as they started their year with a 77-70 win over NAIA #4 University of St. Francis. In its seven years of being a varsity program, the Lady Panthers have posted a 5-1 record in home openers (the team did not have an official home in 2002-2003) with their wins coming at Cedar Springs HS, Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College), Duncan Lake MS as well as the Student Center.
TURF FIELD | Photo Gallery
The completion of the Student Center also brought the brand new addition of the Turf Field, which sits just to the south of the building. The Panthers lacrosse and soccer teams will call the field home as the soccer teams officially played their first games against cross-town rival Cornerstone University.
The women's soccer team played their first ever game on the new field on October 21, 2008, where they dropped a 5-0 decision to the Golden Eagles. The very next game, the Panthers found the win column as they defeated Indiana Tech 4-3 in an overtime thriller.
The men's team played the very next day, November 22, also against Cornerstone and battled the Golden Eagles to a 1-1 tie. Davenport claimed its first win on the new field on November 25 when they shutout Indiana Tech 4-0.
The turf field is also the home of the men's and women's lacrosse programs. The men's team won their first game at home on March 21, 2009, as they defeated Miami (OH) by a score of 14-9. They have since gone on to post a 7-1 record in the last two seasons. The women's team opened up the turf field with an 11-2 win over Western Michigan University. Over the first two season, the ladies have posted a 7-7 record on the Turf Field.
In the fall of 2009, the varsity rugby program began and the Panthers posted a 36-0 shutout of Calvin College in the first ever game played on the Turf Field. In 2009-10, the Panthers finished with an overall home record of 8-0.
PATTERSON ICE CENTER | Photo Gallery
Patterson Ice Center has been the home for DU's ACHA Division I hockey program since the 2004-2005 season and also became the home of the Division III program which began in 2008-2009. The Panthers have put Davenport on the national map with their success in Division II, as they made three straight appearances in the Final Four from 2005-2008 and ultimately won the school's first ever National Championship in any sport in 2007-2008. The Panthers have continued their success at the Division II level by capturing a "three-peat" as National Champions in 2010 in Simsbury, CT.
Davenport hosted its first ever hockey game at Patterson during the 2004-05 season and came away with a 3-2 victory over the University of Michigan. Since then, the Panthers have posted an overall record of 85-18-7 at Patterson following the 2009-10 season.
CHRISTIAN REFORMED RECREATION CENTER | Photo Gallery
The Lady Panthers softball program began in the spring of 2009 under the direction of Head Coach Ronda Varnesdeel. After a short trip to Florida to open the season, Davenport was welcomed home by the Christian Reformed Recreation Center just off of 36th street in Grand Rapids. The center, owned and operated by former Calvin College Athletic Director, Jim Timmer Sr., has been around since the summer of 1959 and has seen significant changes over the years, including the construction of many ball fields as well as a 9-hole golf course called Fellowship Greens. The Panthers officially opened their home schedule on Saturday, April 4, when they hosted NAIA #18 Madonna University. The Crusaders, who were also the defending WHAC Champions, defeated Davenport 8-0 and 3-0 in a double-header. DU got their first win at home on April 10 in a 8-0 win over Concordia University, in which Karlee Despres threw the first no-hitter in DU Softball history.
Directions
Student Center and Turf Field (Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Rugby)
From the West (Holland/Chicago)
Take I-196 from Holland and merge onto the new South Beltline (M-6) heading towards Lansing (east). Proceed East on M-6 and exit at East Beltline/Broadmoor (Exit #15). Turn left at stoplight which will take you north on the Beltline and follow 1/4 mile to 60th street (first stoplight). Turn right onto 60t street and follow for one mile to Kraft Ave. Turn right onto Kraft Ave. and follow for 1/2 mile to Main Entrance. Student Center and Turf Field are located at the back of the campus.
From the East (Lansing/Detroit)
Take I-196 from Lansing or Detroit and merge onto the new South Beltline (M-6) heading towards Holland (west). Proceed West on M-6 and exit at East Beltline/Broadmoor (Exit #15). Turn right at stoplight which will take you north on the Beltline and follow 1/8 mile to 60th street (first stoplight). Turn right onto 60th street and follow for one mile to Kraft Ave. Turn right onto Kraft Ave. and follow for 1/2 mile to Main Entrance. Student Center and Turf Field are located at the back of the campus.
From the South (Kalamazoo)
Take US-131 from Kalamazoo and merge onto the new South Beltline (M-6) heading towards Lansing (east). Proceed East on M-6 and exit at East Beltline/Broadmoor (Exit #15). Turn left at stoplight which will take you north on the Beltline and follow 1/4 mile to 60th street (first stoplight). Turn right onto 60t street and follow for one mile to Kraft Ave. Turn right onto Kraft Ave. and follow for 1/2 mile to Main Entrance. Student Center and Turf Field are located at the back of the campus.
From the North (Cadillac/Big Rapids/Rockford)
Take US-131 from Cadillac/Big Rapids/Rockford and merge onto the new South Beltline (M-6) heading towards Lansing (east). Proceed East on M-6 and exit at East Beltline/Broadmoor (Exit #15). Turn left at stoplight which will take you north on the Beltline and follow 1/4 mile to 60th street (first stoplight). Turn right onto 60t street and follow for one mile to Kraft Ave. Turn right onto Kraft Ave. and follow for 1/2 mile to Main Entrance. Student Center and Turf Field are located at the back of the campus.
Patterson Ice Center (ACHA Division I and III Hockey)
From the West (Holland/Chicago)
Exit at 43A off of I-196 and turn right onto 28th Street. Go approximately one mile to Patterson Ave and make a right. Traveling North on Patterson, arena will be on right (east) side of road.
From the East (Lansing/Detroit)
Exit at 43A off of I-196 and turn right onto 28th Street. Go approximately one mile to Patterson Ave and make a right. Traveling North on Patterson, arena will be on right (east) side of road.
From the South (Kalamazoo)
Take US-131 north to M-6/South Beltline (exit 77). Proceed east on M-6/South Beltline approximately 7 miles to M-37/Airport (exit 15). Turn left on M-37 (Broadmoor Avenue) and proceed north approximately 3/4 mile to Patterson Avenue. Turn right (North) on Patterson Avenue and proceed north approximately 4 miles to arena on the right.
Christian Reformed Recreation Center (Softball)
From the West (Holland/Chicago)
Take I-196 from Holland towards Grand Rapids. Merge onto the M-6 exit towards Lansing (exit 77). Get off at the M-37 exit (exit 15) and turn left. Go straight for four miles and then turn left onto 36th street. Field will be on the left hand side.
From the East (Lansing/Detroit)
Take 1-96 West towards Grand Rapids to Exit 44 which is the 36th St. exit. Go right off the exit and travel 3 miles over the East Beltline to the field. Field will be on the left.
From the South (Kalamazoo)
Head North on US-131 to the M-6 exit towards Lansing (exit 77). Get off at the M-37 exit (exit 15) and turn left. Go straight for four miles and then turn left onto 36th street. Field will be on the left hand side.
From the North (Cadillac/Big Rapids/Rockford)
Head South on US-131 to Grand Rapids. Merge onto 1-96 E (Exit 89A) heading towards Lansing. Once on I-96 take the M-37/East Belt Line Avenue exit (Exit 38), and turn right. Stay on the East Belt Line for about 5 miles and then turn right onto 36th Street. Field is on the left.