With Wittenberg's 2026-2027 academic year officially underway, the school's athletic programs have begun their busy fall seasons. Let take a look at what's happening tonight and the week following.
Football
The Wittenberg football program begins their 2026 season on the road Saturday, Sept. 5 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. This marks the first game under BJ Coad's leadership, as he took over the role of head coach over the offseason for the departing head coachJim Collins. Coad is a Wittenberg alum, both playing for the Tigers and serving as the offensive line coach for one season and the defensive line coach for three, enroute to two NCAC titles and advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament twice.
This weekend's game is the first of 10 for the season, and the Tigers are looking to rebound from a 4-6 overall record and a 3-5 record in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) in the 2025 season. They last played Washington and Lee last year en route to a 24-21 victory at home during the program's Senior Recognition Day.
Men's and Women's Soccer
Both the men's and women's soccer programs began their seasons this past week, playing at home on Sept. 1. The men's team played against Franciscan University, a game that would stay tied at nil each until the 83rd minute where Wittenberg junior forward Brendon Raggiunti scored with an assist by junior midfielder Ever Zepeda to secure the victory. They look to continue their momentum for their next two games, playing on the road on Sept. 4 at Muskingum University at 7 p.m. and back at home to host Senior Recognition Day on Sunday, Sept. 6 vs. Mount St. Joseph at 1 p.m.
The women's team played following the men's game against Ohio Northern University, where both teams went back and forth, each scoring a goal in the first half. ONU eventually scored a second goal in the 80th minute to retake the lead where they would hold off strong charges by the Tigers to win the match. The program has its second game of the season Friday, Sept. 4, at home against Centre College, hosting its annual Senior Recognition Day at 6:30 p.m. The lady Tigers also has their first on the road game on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Otterbein College at 7 p.m.
Field Hockey
The field hockey program opened its 16-game season this past Wednesday, Sept. 2 at home against the College of Wooster in a comeback 2-1 victory. Wittenberg Senior Maddy Krasnow led the team by scoring both goals in the second and third periods respectively. The win provides momentum for two upcoming road games for the program, playing at Centre on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m., and at DePauw on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
This program is on a hot streak as of late, despite having a slow start to start last season and then exploding to win six conference games to advance to the NCAC semifinals.
Women's Volleyball
Coming off a 21-8 overall record, the NCAC Volleyball Championship and a run into the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2025, the women's volleyball team looks to repeat similar success in 2026. They began their season in a tough face-off on the road at Otterbein University this past Tuesday, where they would fall in a five-set match up as Otterbein was victorious 3-2. Both teams had faced each other in the NCAA Division III Tournament last season in the first round, where the Tigers came out on top.
The Tigers move on to a big weekend at home, hosting the Fall Classic to play three games in two days, starting Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. against Illinois Tech, and then playing two games on Saturday vs. Capital at 11 a.m. and vs. Ohio Wesleyan at 1:30 p.m. in the Pam Evans Smith Arena.
Men's and Women's Golf / Men's and Women's Cross Country
Both of Wittenberg's golf and cross country programs begin their fall seasons this weekend, with the golf teams headed to Denison Golf Club in Granville, Ohio, for the Ted Barclay Invitational for the men and the Lynn Schweizer Invitational for the women on Sept. 5 and 6. Both the men's and women's cross country teams are headed to Fairborn, Ohio, for the Mike Baumer XC Classic hosted by Wright State University Friday, Sept 4. at 6 p.m.
A great week ahead to start the year for our athletes! Make sure to come out to the home games to support your fellow Tigers!
