Redeemer University has been named a 2025 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) #KingChasing Institution, demonstrating the university’s commitment to integrating Christ in athletics.
Each year, NCCAA institutions have the opportunity to be designated a #KingChasing Institution by earning a minimum of 70 points in a grading system structured around the four values in NCCAA’s Game Plan 4 LIFE model: love, integrity, faith and excellence. NCCAA has member schools from all across the U.S., as well as two Canadian schools. This year, only 13 of the 96 member schools achieved the #KingChasing honour, including Redeemer.
“This designation confirms what we already know to be true: that our student-athletes, coaches and staff are fully committed to a greater purpose that extends beyond chasing sporting championships,” says James Kryger, director of athletics. “The #KingChasing recognition affirms that Redeemer is a place where Christian discipleship and competitive sport walk hand in hand.”
The #KingChasing recognition affirms that Redeemer is a place where Christian discipleship and competitive sport walk hand in hand.
Redeemer Royals athletics is guided by its own mission of “vertical purpose,” with a vision of “see[ing] Christian athletes with a focus towards athletic excellence for a profound impact.” At the heart of the program are four guiding values, grounded in Scripture—Kingdom impact, influence, servanthood and excellence in worship—that Kryger describes as “the real scoreboard.” Student-athletes experience a vibrant Christian community through team devotionals, mentorship, chapel services and corporate prayer. Additionally, it is a Royals tradition each game to pray together out in front of fans and the opposing team. These rhythms, in addition to regular team practices and gym sessions, help students build a rich, Christian athletic network.
Redeemer’s athletics program hosts nine varsity teams, three varsity clubs and eight intramural leagues that include both male and female participants. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the program had 152 student-athletes who were recognized 130 times by member conferences for classroom and academic achievements. In recent years, the Royals have qualified for NCCAA regional and national championships in men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s basketball and cross country.
“The university is committed to preparing students to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in their careers and callings,” says dean of students Kevin Johnson. “Athletics participates uniquely in this mission by training student-athletes to become intentionally Kingdom-centred.”
Athletics participates uniquely in [Redeemer’s] mission by training student-athletes to become intentionally Kingdom-centred.
For 57 years, NCCAA has been committed to equipping student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. The title of its #KingChasing program alludes to the phrase “ring chasing,” used by athletes to describe the goal of winning a championship. In addition to its annual awards, the program also offers its member schools resources such as #KingChasing podcast and video series, devotionals, event chaplains and more.
Redeemer is a part of four athletics associations, including NCCAA, the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL), the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA). In the OCAA, Redeemer is the only Christian member institution.
“At Redeemer, we pursue excellence as an act of worship,” says Kryger, “and we look forward to expanding our impact as we continue to grow, lead and serve through the game—for the King.”