Your Support Is Transforming Regent’s Athletic Future.
Seven years ago, Regent University entered the arena of intercollegiate sports competition with men’s and women’s track & field. Since 2017, the number of Royals teams has expanded to also include men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s volleyball.
In March, Regent’s athletics program took a giant leap forward when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved the university’s application for an exploratory year of membership in Division III. The initial phase of participation began on September 1 and lasts throughout the 2024–2025 academic year.
“We know there’s much work to be done. However, we’re excited to walk down this God-ordained path,” says the university’s Director of Athletics, Michael Allen. “Together, we’ll continue moving the needle for God’s glory.”
If all goes well during the exploratory year, Regent can apply for a three-year provisional membership. If the university meets crucial educational and operational benchmarks that align with Division III philosophy during those 36 months, the Royals will become full members of the NCAA.
Through the generous support of Regent donors, the university plans to add six more sports programs over the next few years. In October, Regent announced the addition of men’s baseball beginning in the 2025–26 season. Future student-athletes will soon compete in softball, golf and tennis, as well.
“The competition a student-athlete faces at the collegiate level is intense,” Allen explains. “It not only requires commitment from every team member, but also from the entire university.”
He believes the keys to the university’s current and future athletic success are hard work and dedication, support from administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and the generosity of faithful university donors. As part of “The Royal Way,” Allen urges every team member to seek Regent’s core values: excellence, innovation, and integrity.
“We have embraced those principles and established ourselves as a world-renowned university in all areas except one—our athletic and fitness facilities,” Allen says. “We believe it’s time to invest in this part of Regent’s future. Your donations will help set the trajectory of this university. Not only do they help our current students–your support impacts people in our entire community and around the world.”
