Defiance College launching powerlifting program in 2025-26

DEFIANCE, Ohio – A powerlifting team is coming to Defiance College in 2025-26, the College's athletic department announced on Thursday. The move continues DC's brand initiative of DEFIne Your Future initially launched in October 2023.

Powerlifting will compete as a club sport and is coed with multiple divisions of competition for men and women. College powerlifting events are spread throughout the academic year with the national competition hosted in the spring by USA Powerlifting. While the NAIA and the WHAC do not currently sponsor a powerlifting championship, Defiance's powerlifting initiative establishes the groundwork as the sport grows. Powerlifting will also allow athletes from other affiliated sports to develop strength and endurance in a competitive space. Defiance has tabbed Levi Hoffman to coach the powerlifting team.

"As our admission counselors and coaches hit the recruiting trails, one sport that we often are asked about sponsoring is powerlifting," says Defiance Athletic Director Tiffani Selhorst. "Because we see a need that not many college athletic departments fill, we have an opportunity to become one of the few. We are excited Coach Hoffman has accepted the challenge to lead this new program as we continue to grow our athletic department and its offerings to student-athletes."

Student-athletes interested in powerlifting at Defiance can begin the recruiting process by contacting the Defiance College Admissions Office at defiance.edu/admissions or emailing admissions@defiance.edu for more information.

-JACKETS-