(Written by John Zimmerman - Associate Director of Public Relations Communication and Marketing)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Calvin University is proud to announce that Jeff Febus, Associate Director of Sports Information, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Robin Hartman Writing Award by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The award recognizes excellence in sports feature writing and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the MIAA through storytelling and media relations.
Febus was recognized for his compelling feature, "Calvin's Casey TerHaar: A Life Filled With Vision," which details the extraordinary life journey of former Calvin men's soccer standout and longtime coach Casey TerHaar. The story chronicles TerHaar's childhood survival of a Japanese prison camp in Indonesia during World War II, his immigration to the United States, and his emergence as a pioneer and mentor in collegiate soccer. Through evocative prose and historical insight, Febus paints a vivid portrait of resilience, transformation, and legacy.
Award winning article: https://calvinknights.com/news/2024/10/7/mens-soccer-calvins-casey-terhaar-a-life-filled-with-vision.aspx
"Jeff has spent much of his career focusing on the players, coaches, and staff—making sure they receive the recognition for their excellence on the field, court, diamond, or pool," said Calvin University Athletic Director Jim Timmer. "It's gratifying to see the MIAA recognize what we at Calvin have always known - Jeff is an outstanding storyteller and tireless promoter of the Calvin Knights. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and craft is second to none."
This marks the third time Febus has been honored with the Hartman Award since its inception in 2007–08. A 1992 Calvin graduate and Grand Rapids native, Febus has served the university's athletics program with distinction for over three decades. After completing a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from Drake University, he returned to his alma mater in 1994 to begin what would become a remarkable career chronicling the stories of Calvin's student-athletes and teams.
The Robin Hartman Award is named in memory of the late Robin Hartman of Albion College, a respected figure in MIAA sports information and media relations. The award honors those whose writing uplifts the human spirit of athletics and enriches the historical fabric of collegiate sports within the MIAA.
Febus's recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a moment of pride for the entire Calvin community. His work continues to elevate the stories that define Knight athletics and celebrate the individuals who live out the university's mission on and off the field.
About Calvin University:
Founded in 1876, Calvin University is a top-ranked, liberal arts institution that equips its 3,700 students from 48 U.S. states, 66 countries, and five Canadian provinces to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world. Calvin offers 100+ majors and programs, including a growing portfolio of graduate-level offerings. Calvin students engage in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research that results in publishing and presenting alongside world-class faculty. The university's 400-acre campus is in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Discover more at www.calvin.edu.
