Grand Rapids, Mich. – Nearly one year ago, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics launched its nationwide initiative, The Right Way to Play—a values-driven campaign designed to reaffirm what makes NAIA athletics unique in an ever-changing collegiate sports landscape. At Aquinas College, the response was immediate, not because the initiative introduced something new, but because it affirmed something deeply familiar.
Long before the phrase entered the national conversation, Aquinas Athletics had already been living it.
Under the leadership of Sister Maureen Geary, Aquinas College continues to move in a positive and purpose-driven direction. That momentum has been mirrored within the athletic department, where Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Damon Bouwkamp and his administrative team have embraced a clear vision for the future—one rooted in integrity, accountability, service, and competitive excellence. As the calendar turns to 2026, it is the perfect moment to evaluate The Right Way to Play and how seamlessly it aligns with the culture of Saints Athletics.
Excellence, Measured the Right Way
So far during the 2025–26 academic year, Aquinas Athletics has delivered results that speak loudly—on and off the field. Four fall sports teams qualified for national championship competition, the Saints have reached their highest mid-season ranking ever in the Learfield Directors' Cup, and Aquinas student-athletes have earned 26 Player of the Week honors, with nearly two-thirds of the athletic calendar still ahead.
Few metrics measure comprehensive athletic success as clearly as the Learfield Directors' Cup. Developed by NACDA and USA Today in 1993–94—and later expanded to include the NAIA—the Cup rewards departments that achieve sustained postseason success across a balanced mix of men's and women's sports. Since 2007–08, the award has been sponsored by Learfield, symbolized by the iconic Waterford Crystal trophy.
At the halfway point of the 2025–26 season, Aquinas sits 13th nationally in the NAIA and first in the WHAC, a reflection of depth, balance, and consistency across the department. The climb has been steady and intentional—34th nationally in 2023–24, 29th in 2024–25, and now firmly positioned among the nation's elite.
"This recognition is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, the countless hours invested by our coaching staffs, and the tireless efforts of our athletic department in partnership with Aquinas College," Bouwkamp said. "It speaks to a shared commitment to excellence and the pride we take in representing Aquinas at the highest level."
Consistency Is the Culture
Deputy Athletic Director Connor Leppink sees the ranking as validation of something Aquinas has long prioritized.
"Earning the No. 13 national ranking at the halfway mark and leading the WHAC reflects the consistency and competitive standard our program expects," Leppink said. "Our teams continue to embrace the challenge, and this recognition reinforces that Aquinas belongs among the top programs in the NAIA."
For head coaches, the Directors' Cup is both a measuring stick and a shared responsibility. Men's Basketball Head Coach Ryan Bertoia views it as a unifying goal across programs.
"I think it's a very good measuring stick to see where our athletic department is and how all teams stack up across the nation," Bertoia said. "As for our team, we just want to do our part and finish high enough to earn more points, allowing the department to really shine. To fight through adversity and stay at the top is a real testament to the student-athletes and staff."
Values That Pre-Date the Campaign
While national rankings provide validation, Aquinas leaders agree that success has always been about more than numbers. Assistant Athletic Director, Dance Team Head Coach, and Senior Woman Leader Ashley Kaman sees The Right Way to Play as a reflection—not a revelation.
"Sportsmanship, character, and leadership have always been a rite of passage here in the AQ athletic department," Kaman said. "When the NAIA mimics these standards, it offers an even greater foundation to help our teams and department grow and improve."
Perhaps no one offers a more unique perspective than Assistant AD and Director of Athletic Communications Joey Sutherlin, who spent nearly three decades as a contracted employee before joining the athletic administration full-time.
"Having been a contracted employee at Aquinas for nearly 30 years, I've had the unique opportunity to watch how this athletic department operates from the outside," Sutherlin said. "Now, for more than a year as an Assistant Athletic Director, I've been able to evaluate our programs from the inside as well. When you look at Aquinas Athletics through the lens of the NAIA's The Right Way to Play initiative, it's clear that what we do here isn't new or manufactured—it's simply who we are. In many ways, The Right Way to Play is a watered-down version of the AQ Way."
Bouwkamp echoed that sentiment.
"Aquinas has always embodied the 'Right Way to Play' in developing Saints of character for generations," he said. "Our future will continue with excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in our communities."
Rooted in History, Lived Today
Long before branding campaigns existed, Aquinas Athletics was shaped by leaders who modeled what it meant to compete with integrity—Hall of Fame figures like Terry Bocian, Patti Tibaldi, Mary Takas, Jerry Hendrick, and trailblazers such as Tom Hofmann, Paul Assenmacher, Stacey Barber-Walker, and Vonda VanTil. Administrators and advocates like George Barcheski, Mike Dean, Rick Heuvelman, and Greg Alksnis helped set the standard.
That legacy continues today through Saints who proudly carry the torch—leaders like Lauren Chioini, Paige Guernsey, Reyna Dominczak, Brian Langlois, Caden Pokorzynski, and Titus Smith—athletes who compete fiercely while representing Aquinas with class.
And sometimes, the clearest example of playing the right way doesn't come from a box score. Sister Mary Ann Barrett, the 2025 Saint Support Superstar of the Year, embodies the AQ Way through decades of selfless service, compassion, and unwavering support of student-athletes. Her impact reminds the entire department that success is defined just as much by kindness, humility, and community as it is by wins and championships.
More Than a Phrase
The NAIA's The Right Way to Play initiative promotes holistic development—balancing competition with academics, character, leadership, and service. At Aquinas College, that philosophy has always been second nature.
After one year of the NAIA initiative, one thing is certain: at Aquinas College, The Right Way to Play is the AQ Way. It always has been. It is now. And it always will be. Because for the Saints, playing the right way isn't a slogan—it's a standard. And it's only one of the many reasons why every day is a great day to be a Saint.
