Grand Rapids, Mich. – If you thought things were slowing down in Aquinas Athletics as October comes to a close, think again!
There are busy weeks in college athletics, and then there are weeks when the calendar looks like someone decided to schedule just about everything at once. Welcome to the final week of October at Aquinas College!
The Maroon and White are preparing for one of the busiest and most entertaining stretches of the fall semester, featuring a beloved campus tradition, the beginning of basketball season, a special Senior Night celebration, plenty of hockey and a Halloween doubleheader of postseason soccer against a familiar rival from just down the road.
From Tuesday night's festivities inside the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center to Saturday's win-or-go-home WHAC soccer quarterfinals, there's something for everyone. In fact, with several events overlapping Saturday afternoon, even the most dedicated Saints fan might have trouble being everywhere at once.
But that's part of what makes a week like this so special.
It's an opportunity to celebrate Aquinas student-athletes, recognize their accomplishments and bring the campus community together around the Maroon and White.
And there's no better place to begin than with one of the most anticipated traditions on the Aquinas Athletics calendar.
Tuesday, October 27 – 11th Annual Saints Slam: Let the Fun Begin!
Location: Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center
Doors Open: 9:30 p.m.
Festivities Begin: 10:00 p.m.
One of the most entertaining traditions on the Aquinas Athletics calendar returns Tuesday evening with the 11th Annual Saints Slam!
It's a night when basketball meets entertainment, campus spirit takes center stage and the Aquinas community comes together to celebrate the beginning of another exciting hoops season.
The always-entertaining Bob Well returns as host, bringing his unique personality, humor and energy to an evening that has become a favorite among Aquinas students.
And because great entertainment deserves great food, Chick-fil-A sandwiches will be provided!
While Saints Slam provides plenty of fun for those attending, putting together an event of this size requires considerable preparation behind the scenes.
Aquinas Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader Ashley Kaman praised the efforts of the department's graduate assistants, who have taken on much of the responsibility for organizing this year's festivities.
"Saints Slam is one of those events our students really look forward to, but what people don't always see is the amount of planning and preparation that goes into making the night successful," said Kaman. "Our graduate assistants have put a tremendous amount of time, creativity and energy into organizing this year's event. It's a great example of how much they contribute to our athletic department beyond their everyday responsibilities. I'm proud of the work they've done, and I'm excited for our students to enjoy what they've put together."
Whether you're a basketball fanatic or simply looking for a fun Tuesday night with friends, Saints Slam is the place to be.
Come hungry, bring your enthusiasm and help the Saints kick off basketball season in style!
Wednesday, October 28 – A Little Midweek Matinee Hockey!
Men's Division I Hockey
Aquinas vs. Rochester Christian
Noon | Southside Ice Arena
Who says hockey has to be played at night?
The Aquinas men's Division I hockey team welcomes Rochester Christian for a rare Wednesday afternoon contest, making up a game originally scheduled for Saturday, October 24.
Transportation difficulties prevented the Warriors from making the trip to Grand Rapids over the weekend, forcing the contest to be rescheduled.
The Saints and Warriors will now drop the puck at noon inside Southside Ice Arena, giving fans an opportunity to enjoy a little hockey in the middle of the day.
Important Promotional Update: Wednesday's game will NOT feature the previously scheduled Teddy Bear Toss. That popular promotion will be rescheduled for a later date this season.
So, if your Wednesday afternoon schedule allows, why not trade your lunch break for a little hockey?
Friday, October 30 – Basketball Begins, and Volleyball Celebrates Its Seniors!
1:00 p.m. – Drury Inn Classic, Day One
Men's Basketball: Aquinas vs. St. Francis (Ill.)
Location: Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center
The wait is over!
Head coach Ryan Bertoia and the Aquinas men's basketball team officially open their 2026–27 season Friday afternoon as the Saints host St. Francis (Ill.) in the Drury Inn Classic.
It's the first opportunity for Aquinas fans to see this year's squad in regular-season action as the Maroon and White begin another journey on Coach Bo Court.
With a new season comes new opportunities, new challenges and another chance to build something special. The Saints will look to get their campaign started on the right foot in front of the home crowd.
7:00 p.m. – Women's Volleyball Senior Night
Aquinas vs. Lawrence Tech
Location: Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center
Friday evening, the spotlight shifts from the basketball court to the volleyball court, where head coach Ryan Campbell and the Aquinas women's volleyball team have plenty to play for and even more to celebrate.
The Saints, currently sitting atop the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference standings, welcome Lawrence Tech for another important conference matchup.
But Friday night is about much more than wins, losses and conference standings.
It's Senior Night!
The Aquinas volleyball program will recognize the student-athletes competing in their final season wearing the Maroon and White.
These Saints have dedicated countless hours to practices, matches, travel, academics and representing Aquinas College. Their commitment, leadership and contributions to the program deserve to be celebrated.
While the volleyball season isn't over, Friday provides a special opportunity for the Aquinas community to say thank you to those who have given so much to the program.
With the Saints continuing their pursuit of another successful postseason run, there is plenty of meaningful volleyball still to be played.
Let's pack the Sturrus, celebrate our seniors and give them the recognition they've earned!
The Controlled Chaos of College Athletics
As if the opening of basketball season, an important volleyball match and a midweek hockey contest weren't enough, Saturday's schedule brings an entirely different level of activity.
For Aquinas Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Communications Joey Sutherlin, the combination of events creates both logistical challenges and some of the most enjoyable moments of the athletic year.
"There are busy weeks in college athletics, and then there are weeks like this one," said Sutherlin. "Between basketball opening its season, volleyball celebrating Senior Night, hockey on the ice and two soccer teams hosting playoff games against Cornerstone, we're going to need a few extra sets of hands, a lot of caffeine and maybe a cloning machine or two. But even with everything going on, Saints Slam is one of those events I genuinely look forward to every year. It's a chance to have some fun, see our student-athletes and campus community come together, and enjoy the lighter side of college athletics before the competition takes center stage. These are the weeks that remind you why you love what you do. It's hectic, it's exciting, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
And if Sutherlin's cloning machine ever becomes a reality, Saturday would certainly be the day to put it to work.
Saturday, October 31 – Halloween Brings Playoff Soccer, Basketball and Hockey!
Forget the tricks! Saturday's Aquinas Athletics schedule is absolutely loaded with treats.
Five events, three sports, three venues and enough excitement to keep even the most dedicated Saints fan busy from noon until late afternoon.
And with both Aquinas soccer programs earning the right to host WHAC Tournament quarterfinals against Cornerstone, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Noon – Men's Soccer WHAC Quarterfinal
No. 3 Aquinas vs. No. 6 Cornerstone
Location: Aquinas Athletic Field
Halloween afternoon begins with a little postseason rivalry!
Head coach Luke Ruff and the third-seeded Aquinas men's soccer team welcome sixth-seeded Cornerstone for a WHAC Tournament quarterfinal.
There's no need to manufacture excitement for this one. Aquinas. Cornerstone. Postseason soccer. Enough said!
The Saints earned the opportunity to open tournament play on their home field through their regular-season performance, but that advantage guarantees nothing once the postseason begins.
Unlike the regular season, there are no opportunities to make up for a disappointing result.
Win and advance. Lose and the season is over.
The Saints will look to use their home-field advantage and the energy of the Aquinas faithful to keep their postseason dreams alive.
1:00 p.m. – Drury Inn Classic, Day Two
Men's Basketball: Aquinas vs. Indiana University South Bend
Location: Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center
The basketball action continues as head coach Ryan Bertoia and the Saints return to Coach Bo Court for their second game of the Drury Inn Classic.
After opening the season Friday, Aquinas will have a quick turnaround before welcoming Indiana University South Bend for Saturday's 1 p.m. matchup.
It's an early opportunity to build momentum as the Saints begin their 2026–27 campaign.
1:30 p.m. – Women's Division I Hockey
Aquinas vs. Davenport
Location: Southside Ice Arena
There's also plenty of action on the ice Saturday afternoon!
Head coach Taelynn Otte and the Aquinas women's Division I hockey team welcome nearby Davenport for a 1:30 p.m. contest at Southside Ice Arena.
Nothing quite like a matchup between two Grand Rapids-area programs to add a little excitement to the weekend!
3:00 p.m. – Women's Soccer WHAC Quarterfinal
No. 4 Aquinas vs. No. 5 Cornerstone
Location: Aquinas Athletic Field
If one Halloween postseason showdown against Cornerstone wasn't enough, how about two?
Head coach Mario Zuniga-Gil and the fourth-seeded Aquinas women's soccer team welcome fifth-seeded Cornerstone for another WHAC Tournament quarterfinal.
Like the men's program, the Saints earned the opportunity to begin postseason play on their home field through their performance during the regular season.
Now comes the next challenge: surviving and advancing.
Two rivals. Two postseason games. One Halloween afternoon.
And remember, there's no tomorrow for the losing team!
3:00 p.m. – Women's Basketball Home Opener
Aquinas vs. Bethel
Location: Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center
Saturday's basketball excitement doesn't end with the men!
Head coach Brian Morris and the Aquinas women's basketball team make their 2026–27 home debut when the Saints welcome Bethel to Coach Bo Court.
It's the first opportunity for the Aquinas community to see this year's women's squad compete on its home floor.
New season. New opportunities. And another chance to cheer on the Maroon and White!
One Campus. One Community. A Whole Lot of Saints Athletics!
From the excitement and laughter of Saints Slam to the emotion of Volleyball Senior Night, the beginning of basketball season and the intensity of win-or-go-home postseason soccer, this week showcases what makes Aquinas Athletics special.
It's about more than scores, standings and championships.
It's about the student-athletes who represent Aquinas, the coaches who lead them and the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who make the Maroon and White community so special.
For Aquinas Director of Athletics Damon Bouwkamp, the significance of a week like this extends well beyond the competition itself.
"We talk a lot about the importance of community at Aquinas, and weeks like this are a perfect example of what that really means," said Bouwkamp. "Our athletic programs bring students, faculty, staff, alumni and families together to celebrate what makes Aquinas such a special place. I'm particularly proud of our men's and women's soccer programs, which have both earned the right to host WHAC Tournament quarterfinals through their hard work and accomplishments during the regular season. That's not something we take for granted, and it's a credit to our student-athletes and coaching staffs. From the excitement of Saints Slam to recognizing our volleyball seniors and cheering on our teams in postseason competition, this week showcases the talent, dedication and spirit that make Aquinas Athletics special. These are the moments that bring our community together and remind us why it's a great day to be a Saint."
With so much happening across campus and at Southside Ice Arena, there are plenty of opportunities for the Aquinas community to get involved.
Whether you can attend one event or several, your support makes a difference.
Wear your Maroon and White, bring a friend and help make this a week to remember for our Saints!
#SaintsMarchOn
