Discover the Legacy
The Yellow Jacket has defined athletics at Cedarville University for the last 100 years. Time flies when you're having fun!
Let's take a look at some of Cedarville's history and notable athletic accomplishments over the last century — complete with a rare look at some of Stinger's predecessors. It's an exciting, memorable journey that has brought us, by God's grace, to where we are today.
Celebration for a Century
Stinger sure looks good for his age! We celebrated Stinger’s 100th birthday party this year, where students got the chance to connect with their campus community at the SSC Lakeside Patio. Our Yellow Jacket athletes served up Young’s ice cream, so it was a great time to cool off from the summer heat, relax with friends, and wish Stinger a happy birthday!
This year, athletes will be sporting a “100 Years” patch on their uniforms to celebrate the legacy of Yellow Jacket athletics. Back the Jackets and cheer on your Cedarville sports teams as they compete for Christ and contend for championships on the court, field, track, or course. Your support means more than you know!
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Explore the Cedarville Yellow Jackets site
Yellow Jackets Through the Years
Before 1924, Cedarville College's team name was the "orange and blue warriors." Students competed in Cedarville's first athletic facility, now known as Alford Auditorium, which opened in 1902.
The name "Yellow Jackets" first appeared on the scene in 1924. This baseball jersey, worn by William Howard Arthur, a 1925 alumnus, would have been contemporary to this change.
In 1953, football at Cedarville was discontinued. The team’s worst loss had come 21 years prior, in the 1932 season, when they were bested by West Liberty Teachers College, 137-0 — ouch. On the bright side, this means that Cedarville football has been undefeated for the last 70+ years!
In the 1960s, most of Cedarville’s intercollegiate sports teams were introduced. It was also in 1962 that the new gymnasium (now known as the Tyler Digital Communication Center) was opened.
The first Athletics missions trip took place in 1971, when Don Callan led the men’s basketball team on a trip to the Philippines. In the 50+ years since then, ministry has been an integral part of athletics at Cedarville.
Whether that’s circling up to pray with opponents after a game, gifting snacks and handwritten notes to competitors following a race, or serving with a sports ministry overseas, each team is involved in using their unique gifts to proclaim the name of Christ.
1977 saw the first official Yellow Jacket mascot designed. This version of the mascot costume was used for three years until version two, pictured here, was introduced. Both of these original costumes featured a homemade head worn over regular clothing, often a striped sweater and slacks.
Callan Athletic Center and the Doden Field House opened in 1981 and 2003, respectively.
This bobblehead of the Cedarville Yellow Jacket dates back to 2004. His look is a bit of an upgrade from his ’70s counterpart!
Cedarville University switched athletic associations from the NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2012.
In 2018, the Yellow Jacket mascot got a significant makeover, and the Stinger that you know and love made his debut.
Did You Know?
What is Cedarville's longest-running sport?
Well… we don’t completely know! There are some gaps in the record (regular yearbooks didn’t begin until 1915), but we do have records and photos of the 1897 baseball team, 1898 women’s basketball team, and the 1903 men’s basketball team. We’ll call it a tie game!
In recent years, the Yellow Jackets have been blessed with increasing success in the NCAA DII as well as the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association). Ten of Cedarville’s sports teams have nabbed NCCAA championship titles through the years.
God has shown Himself faithful throughout the first century of Yellow Jacket athletics at Cedarville. By His grace, our athletes will continue to compete for Christ, contend for championships, and positively change sport culture for many years into the future.
