What happens when thousands of students sit in absolute silence… and then explode into full-blown, holiday-themed pandemonium the moment the home team scores its 10th point? Welcome to Taylor University’s Silent Night, one of the most delightfully chaotic, joy-soaked traditions in college athletics. In this episode, we sit down with Taylor University to hear how this legendary tradition began, why it continues to captivate the nation, and the stories that make it more than just a viral moment. From costumes to crowd eruptions to the unmistakable “only at Taylor” magic, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a tradition that proves competition can be fun, meaningful, and completely unforgettable. Turn the volume up… right after the first nine points.
Austin Bennett (00:20) Welcome to The Right Way to Play, the NAIA podcast where we go beyond the scoreboard and explore college athletics the way it was meant to be. I’m Austin Bennett. In each episode, we sit down with coaches, athletic directors, student-athletes, and thought leaders to talk about building champions on and off the field, fostering community through competition, and leading with common sense. Whether you’re at an NAIA member institution or just passionate about the future of college sports, you’ll find inspiration and insight here.
Alan Grosbach (00:28) And I’m Alan Grosbach.
Austin, like usual, I’m excited about today’s show. But first, it’s time for the Red Banner Rundown—where we share quick hits, highlights, or something cool happening around the NAIA. Since it’s the holiday season, let’s talk traditions. We’ve got some campuses doing really unique things. Austin, you want to kick us off?
Austin Bennett (00:49) Absolutely. I’ll start with USAO Drover Basketball, who hosted their fourth annual Teddy Bear Toss. It actually happened today at the time of recording, so by the time this airs, it’ll already be in the books. But definitely go check it out—really cool stuff happening there.
Alan Grosbach (01:24) Love that. Mine—outside of what we’ll talk about later—is John Brown University’s Toilet Paper Game. When the Golden Eagles score their first field goal of the season, fans absolutely cover the court in toilet paper. It’s wild. It’s fun. It’s legal littering at its finest. And they’ve done it 43 times now.
Austin Bennett (01:31) Legal littering—always a win.
And real quick, it wouldn’t be a Red Banner Rundown without a shoutout to our teams still competing for national championships in fall sports. Red banners are on the line, and it’s exciting to watch teams live out their championship dreams.
Alan Grosbach (02:06) Absolutely. December is one of my favorite months in the NAIA—just an incredible time of year.
Now, let’s get to today’s episode. We’re thrilled to talk about one of the most iconic holiday traditions in the NAIA—Taylor University’s Silent Night.
Austin Bennett (02:22) And we’ve got two absolute studs with us. First, Kyle Gould—10th year as Taylor’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and his 22nd season leading the Trojans’ powerhouse baseball program. Under his leadership, Taylor has become a perennial NAIA contender with top-three Crossroads League all-sports finishes, consistent top-20 Director’s Cup rankings, 29 league championships, and multiple NAIA national titles.
Academically—this blows my mind—every varsity team at Taylor has maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher for 13 straight years. Kyle is also the winningest baseball coach in program history with over 700 victories.
Alan Grosbach (02:55) That’s insane.
Austin Bennett (03:07) Kyle is a 2002 Taylor grad, a former all-conference catcher, and now lives in Fort Wayne with his wife Kate and their kids, Penelope and Henry.
Alan Grosbach (03:16) Also joining us is Natalie Young, Taylor’s Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader. She previously spent time at Bethel University as an assistant coach and SID—and Austin, get this: Natalie is closer to 3,000 career points than 2,000, with 2,685. Three-time NAIA All-American. Jersey retired.
I’ve never had anything retired—not even socks.
She’s also played a major leadership role in guiding Taylor Athletics, which posted a 94–95% student-athlete retention rate last year. That just doesn’t happen.
Natalie, Kyle—welcome.
Natalie Young (04:23) Thank you, Alan. Thank you, Austin.
Austin Bennett (04:23) Welcome, guys.
Austin Bennett (05:07) Let’s jump in. Silent Night is legendary. For someone who’s never experienced it—what actually happens?
Kyle Gould (05:12) It’s honestly hard to put into words. You really have to experience it to believe it.
Taylor is a residential campus, very community-driven. Students spend weeks—sometimes months—planning costumes as floors, wings, teams, or clubs. It’s highly organized chaos.
In recent years, students also camp out starting right after Thanksgiving. Some camp indoors in the Student Activity Center, others brave the cold outside. They’re there 24/7—playing games, hanging out, just being together.
At 4:30 p.m., students are let in and sprint for seats. Then at tip-off, the gym goes completely silent—no sound at all. You hear shoes squeak, the ball bounce… nothing else.
When Taylor scores its 10th point, the place absolutely erupts. Students storm the court, cheer, celebrate—and from there, the night turns into skits, crowd performances, and nonstop energy. Late in the game, everyone links arms and sings Silent Night. It’s a reflection of who we are as a Christian institution and why we’re all there together.
That’s the best verbal snapshot I can give—but it still doesn’t do it justice.
Natalie Young (07:56) I’ll be honest—when I was at Bethel, I probably thought Silent Night was overrated. Maybe a little jealousy.
But once I experienced it firsthand, there truly are no words. The energy is overwhelming—in the best way. It’s joyful, inclusive, and completely positive. Even in the chaos, students take care of one another. It’s pure fun, and it’s special.
Kyle Gould (15:47) I’d add this—what makes Silent Night special is that it’s not just basketball. Every coach, every team, every administrator is all-in. You’ll see other coaches in costumes, athletes in the front row, staff cleaning the floor after the storming.
There’s no jealousy—just buy-in. It’s an entire department, an entire campus, celebrating together.
Alan Grosbach (17:35) Every campus has traditions—but beneath them is something bigger: character.
Through the NAIA’s Champions of Character® program, student-athletes build habits that last beyond sport—Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership, and Sportsmanship.
Whether it’s Silent Night or everyday competition, character isn’t just taught in the NAIA—it’s lived.
Fast Five (Highlights)
Walk-Off Takeaways
Austin Bennett (27:31) What stood out to me is the power of community. Silent Night shows what happens when a campus truly connects—students, athletics, and culture all aligned.
Alan Grosbach (27:56) It’s the strength of a tight-knit community. Taylor embraces who they are, and that’s what creates moments like this. It’s unique—but it’s also something others can learn from.
Austin Bennett (28:23) Thanks for joining us on The Right Way to Play. Share your traditions, your ideas, and your feedback at therightwaytoplay@naia.org.
Alan Grosbach (28:42) Until next time—keep competing with character, leading with purpose, and always playing the right way.
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