The duo team up for their final film at Taylor
De’Ariss Hope and Darien Taylor’s vision is not exclusive to the football field. Their abilities expand to the creative landscape. The two major in Film and Media Production creating award-winning films and carving out their path in the entertainment world.
Jason Hubbard, the pride of Miamisburg, Ohio, closed out his illustrious basketball career as a Taylor Trojan. The 6-foot-7 forward cemented his legacy by becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,479 points and establishing a single-season scoring record in 2023 with 709 points.
This spring, both men and women’s golf teams started their journey in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The top five from each squad headed down to compete at the Legends Resort — Parkland.
"Phenomenal young men.” That is how Defensive Coordinator Jared Boddie describes seniors De’Ariss Hope and Darien (also known as DT) Taylor. Many students know them as prominent players on the Trojans football team, and every Saturday, they could watch Hope wreaking havoc on the defensive line and Taylor returning kicks and sprinting out of the backfield.
The start of the Crossroads League Tournament had no lack of excitement seeing an overtime matchup with the Taylor men’s basketball team upsetting crosstown rival Indiana Wesleyan, 78-74.
The Taylor women’s indoor track team finished second, and the men’s indoor track team finished fourth in the Crossroads League Championships.
Fans of Taylor Trojan sports know the voice, and why wouldn’t they? For one, it doesn’t change regardless of the sport. Football, basketball and baseball? Yep. Volleyball, lacrosse and softball? Sure. Don’t forget every Taylor soccer game, or the one time that voice described a cross-country meet in the middle of a bean field. That voice TU sports fans are so accustomed to hearing belongs to Trojan play-by-play man, Rick Johnston. He’s been calling the action in Upland for nearly a decade, and he’s still as all in as he was on day one behind the mic.
Fort Wayne, Indiana native and fifth-year senior Abbey Brennan put an exclamation mark on her career as a part of Taylor women’s cross country and track and field. The 10-time All-American quietly went about her business and now leaves a legacy full of achievement matched with unwavering humility.
On Nov. 18 in Tallahassee, Florida, the Taylor women’s cross country team capped off an undefeated season with the first national championship in program history — topping the 36-team field.
Taylor women’s soccer ended their conference run on Nov. 9, falling to No. 2 Marian in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals. Although the Trojans did not finish on their own terms, they received a bid into the 2022 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship during a selection show held on Nov. 14.
In head coach Aaron Mingo’s second season, Taylor’s football team took a step forward on the process toward the team’s goal of being the best Christian college football program in the country.
Taylor’s volleyball team was the Crossroads League regular season champ, and by beating Marian University in the championship match, they are now Crossroads League Tournament champions. This is the first time since 2010 that the Trojans are Crossroads League Tournament Champions.
She’s amassed over 4,000 career assists. She’s gotten over 1,000 digs and is nearing 500 kills. In just this year alone, senior setter Kacy Bragg has led the Taylor women’s volleyball team to one of its greatest seasons in over a decade.
Basketball season arriving means that fall sports are coming to a close. Altogether, it has been a successful season for all eight of Taylor’s competitive teams.
Taylor cross country finished the regular season strong at the Crossroads League (CL) Tournament this past weekend. Both the men’s and women’s teams will head to the NAIA National Championships in Tallahassee, Florida on Nov. 18th.
Taylor University Ultimate Frisbee Club was established in the fall of 2019 by Isaac Titche (’22) and senior John Soderdahl, who plans to graduate this December. Its platform has afforded many students from varying skill levels the opportunity to create unexpected friendships in a competitive environment.
Football season is coming to a close and Taylor greatly improved from last year. Last season, the Trojans only won two games. Heading into the final 2 games this season, they have a record of 5-4. Recruiting has played a large role in Taylor’s success. But how does Taylor get recruits to commit?
This fall season, the men’s and women’s programs for Taylor University golf have been nothing short of successful. As the men’s team finished top, the women’s team finished top ten.
