Bishop Athletics

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Outstanding Facilities

Head Football Coach Tom Watts: “I don’t think any school in the United States has done so much for their athletic facilities in the past few years as Ohio Wesleyan.”

Athletic Facilities

Great Competition

Ohio Wesleyan has won the All-Sports Trophy in the highly competitive North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) 9 times.

North Coast Athletic Conference

A Winning Tradition

The Battling Bishops have won five national titles and hundreds of conference championships.

Battling Bishops

Academic All-Stars

In 2022, 108 OWU scholar-athletes were named to the NCAC Academic Honor Roll.

Academic Honor Roll

Tops in America

With more than 735 victories, Jay Martin is the winningest coach in NCAA men's soccer history.

24 Teams, One OWU

Ohio Wesleyan's rich athletic tradition reaches back to the 19th century, when we hosted the first football game played by Ohio State University. Our great scholar-athletes include Branch Rickey, who would one day sign Jackie Robinson to break major league baseball's color barrier. Former OWU athletes have graduated to play in the NFL and NBA - and to become CEOs, college professors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and doctors.

OWU's scholar-athletes continue to achieve at the highest levels on the field and in the classroom. Last year, 84 Bishops were named to the NCAC Academic Honor Roll.

We believe completely in the integration of academics and athletics—and we walk the walk. Our sports teams even have faculty partners who help our student adjust to college academics and succeed in their studies as well as their sport.

For more information about our teams and student athletes, athletics news, our athletics history, recruiting, camps, and more, go to BattlingBishops.com.

Club Sports

Beyond varsity athletics, Battling Bishops also compete in various team activities. OWU Esports has teams of competitive gamers, club sports offers opportunities from Equestrian Team to Indoor Hockey, and intramural sports offers seasonal team activities.

OWU Esports Club Sports Intramural Sports

Medieval Combat Club

OWU Cheerleading Squad

Club Soccer

OWU Equestrian Team

OWU Esports

Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team

Firedogs

Women's Rugby

Women’s Ultimate Frisbee

Yetis

Meet Our People

OWU coaches and faculty reps understand the balance of D-III academics & athletics.

Mike Plantholt

Head Coach, Men's Lacrosse

"My goal is to help our student-athletes grow so that over the course of four years they become better students, better lacrosse players, and better people."

Kris Boey

Head Coach, Men's & Women's Track & Field

"As long as our students are growing and preparing for the next chapter in their lives, we have been successful."

Kirsta Cobb

Head Coach, Volleyball

"Our student-athletes are cared for by more than just their teammates and coaches. They have an entire campus that is looking out for them as students, athletes, and people, creating a fun and positive environment where they can learn how to become their best."

Jay Martin

Head Coach, Men's Soccer

"There is no university in the United States better at combining academics and athletics!"

Tom Watts

Head Coach, Football

"I've never been to a place where the faculty are as involved as they are at Ohio Wesleyan."

Ben Carlson

Head Coach, Men's & Women's Cross Country

"We have a great campus atmosphere. From the students to the faculty to the staff, OWU produces a great student-athlete experience!"

Tyler Mott

Head Coach, Baseball

"There is no greater enjoyment than competing for championships every year for a program that has been on the national stage for more than three decades."

A Look at OWU Athletics

See All 102 Items

Academic All-American— Nick Norman '17 was voted 2016 first-team Academic All-America for men's soccer. He majors in management economics and scored 5 goals and 2 assists in 2016.

League Champions— OWU won the men's outdoor NCAC championship in 2016.

Bishop Alumni Support

Eight in a Row— In 2016, OWU's track & field women won their 8th straight NCAC title.

All-NCAC— Defensive end Gary Brodek '17 was a first-team All-NCAC selection. He is one of five OWU football players named to All-NCAC teams in 2016.

OWU Football

All-American Volleyball— Iris Anderson '18 was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2016 All-America volleyball teams. She was an honorable mention selection for the second straight year.

What Is Bishop Pride?

All-American Twice— Sarah Fowler '17 finished fifth at the 2016 NCAA Division III championship to become the Bishops' first 2-time All-American in women's cross country.

All-NCAC Field Hockey— Courtney Peterson '18 was a 2016 first-team All-NCAC selection. Candace Chanelli '17 and Paige Haenig '18 were honorable mention choices.