Hope College Goalkeeper Earns Prestigious MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award

On August 1, 2025, Daniel Hesselbein, a May 2025 graduate of Hope College, was named the 2024-25 recipient of the prestigious Albert L. Deal Scholar-Athlete of the Year award by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). This prestigious award honors a senior student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics while demonstrating exceptional leadership.

Hesselbein, a four-year varsity letterwinner and two-year team captain for the Hope College men's soccer team, made a lasting impact both on and off the field. As the team's goalkeeper, he was named First Team All-MIAA in 2024 and Second Team All-MIAA in 2023, helping lead the team to a competitive showing in one of the nation's toughest NCAA Division III conferences. Off the field, Hesselbein maintained a remarkable 3.84 grade-point average, appearing on the Dean's List during all eight semesters of his college career and earning College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors in both 2023 and 2024.

Beyond his academic and athletic achievements, Hesselbein was recognized as a campus leader and community advocate. He served as a spiritual leader, participating in Senior Witness and organizing Bible studies and faith-building events for student-athletes. Hesselbein also co-founded Unified Hope, an inclusive program that provided opportunities for athletes of all abilities to participate in intramural basketball. His dedication to service and building meaningful relationships within the Hope College community earned him the 2025 Otto VandeVelde All-Campus Award, which is given to a student who demonstrates leadership, service, and excellence across campus.