“Hope-Calvin 200 Takes Front Stage”

On the eve of the 200th Hope-Calvin game, fans are not only looking forward to the two teams playing but also the tradition surrounding the rivalry. In spite of snow falling down on Holland and the slippery roads, the fans will still come out to watch a show this Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse. The men’s series is in its 98th year and spans 198 games. Hope leads the series 103-95. On the women’s side, Calvin leads the series 71-50.

One Hope student, senior Andrew Vandebunte, has been impacted by the Hope-Calvin rivalry, both as an observer and as a player. He played basketball his freshman year and continues to follow the team closely as a member of the Dew Crew, the student section at Hope basketball games. When asked about the impact of the game on his life, he exclaimed that “it has impacted me because it was a major event I looked forward to every year from when I was a kid until now. My dad and my uncle went to Hope, so it was always fun to go to the games with my family and cousins.” Vandebunte loves basketball because of its fast pace and the importance of each position. When asked about the next Hope-Calvin game, Vandebunte went on to explain that “it shows the passion behind the rivalry and how long it has been going. I’m excited to continue to watch the rivalry in future years.”

Even though there will be future games, players from both teams this year will graduate, and new players will arrive, the 200th edition of the game will still go down as an iconic chapter in one of the oldest sports rivalries in the nation. Vandebunte is and will continue to be a loyal fan even after he graduates from Hope. He will still be forever connected to the rivalry, whether as a player or a fan. He hopes to continue to watch the games with the passion and the heart of a player ready to take the court again. Hope-Calvin’s 200th edition promises to be the best yet because 200 is a significant achievement in a rivalry that began 98 years ago and will likely go on to span many more generations. When it does live up to the other games in this storied tradition, fans like Vandebunte will be there to witness another chapter in the history of Hope-Calvin. Be sure to come out to watch the game on Saturday Feb. 20 to cheer on our Flying Dutch.