This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Wheaton College for my official visit. Although the weather was subpar, the visit was overall great. I never thought I would find a college whose values and community felt so much like Holy Family, but Wheaton is about as close as you can get.
Wheaton College produced an 11-3 season in 2025, finishing 8-1 in the CCIW and showcasing one of Division III’s most electric offenses. The year opened with a tough road loss to one of the best teams in the nation, Mount Union, falling 37-29, but the Thunder immediately rebounded with a commanding 50–7 win over Augustana.
Another big test came against North Central, where Wheaton suffered a 35-0 defeat, but that setback became a turning point. From that moment on, the Thunder went on a roll, stacking decisive victories over Illinois Wesleyan (65-21), Carthage (47-21), and Washington University (28-24).
Their offense consistently overwhelmed opponents, highlighted by blowout wins such as 65-0 over Elmhurst and 61-14 against Millikin. Wheaton closed the regular season at 9-2, then advanced through postseason matchups with big-time upsets over Wartburg (28-24) and DePauw (49-24), demonstrating that they are one of the best teams in the nation. The season ultimately ended with a loss to Wisconsin-River Falls, which went on to win the D-III national championship, but the Thunder’s performance solidified them as a top-tier Division III contender.
Coach Jesse Scott made it clear that they are not satisfied with being number seven in the nation; they want to be number one. Wheaton promotes academic excellence, growth in one’s faith, and athletic excellence. My favorite part of my visit was playing dodgeball with the team. Getting to know a bunch of my future teammates in a competitive environment was a blast. Although it was -30 degrees in Chicago when I was out there, I have never been more certain about where I am supposed to go. Roll Thunder!
