Tate Ivanyo arrived at Anderson University as a soft-spoken freshman with a love for basketball and a desire to give his all in every facet of college. Four years later, he prepares to walk away as the 2025 men’s basketball Jostens Trophy recipient—a national honor recognizing excellence in athletics, academics, and service.
The award, presented annually by the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia, honors the top Division III men’s and women’s basketball players in the nation. According to the Anderson Athletics Department, Ivanyo is the first Raven to receive the Jostens Trophy.
“I am extremely grateful and honored to have been selected for this award,” Ivanyo said. “I want to thank God for putting me in this position and surrounding me with amazing people that have allowed me to be successful and grow.”
Ivanyo, a biology major with a 3.99 GPA, will continue his studies at Marian University Indianapolis, where he plans to pursue a medical degree. He earned straight A’s in 30 of his 31 college courses and is a member of the Anderson Honors Program.
A native of Valparaiso, Indiana, Ivanyo has been a captain of the Ravens for the past three seasons and a key figure in their on-court success. Over his career, he helped lead the team to two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) tournament championships, earning tournament MVP honors in both seasons.
His senior season, he averaged 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-American honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Fifth Team All-American honors from D3hoops.com. He also competed in the 2025 NABC All-Star Game and was named District 8 Player of the Year by the NABC.
Ivanyo has etched his legacy in program history. He ranks third in the HCAC for career points with 1,755 — a first in the school’s NCAA history — and is Anderson’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (255) and attempted (635).
But for Ivanyo, excellence has always extended beyond basketball.
His leadership journey began by learning from upperclassmen and Coach Owen Handy and then-Assistant Coach Carter Collins. Over time, he embraced the responsibility of mentoring teammates and helping shape the team’s culture. In his second season, Ivanyo was encouraged to step into the space previously filled by several seniors.
“Coach Collins was really helpful in pushing me towards being that leader figure for the team,” Ivanyo said. “I feel like I’ve done my best to try to help them learn the ropes of college basketball.”
Ivanyo’s impact on Anderson athletes goes beyond the court, serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as treasurer for the pre-professional health society.
Off the court, Ivanyo’s faith deepened during a team mission trip to the Dominican Republic. That experience inspired the team to start a Bible study with Pastor Solomon Robinson, helping teammates and students integrate faith and sports.
The end of his final season was bittersweet for Ivanyo, as the team lost in the HCAC tournament finals against Franklin.
“I’m definitely sad to be done competing,” Ivanyo said. “I’m never going to put on a jersey for a school again and play.”
Still, he’s worked to stop defining himself by sports or academics.
“With the loss of basketball, I just really put my identity more into God,” Ivanyo said. “It led me to be more gracious and have more gratitude for what I was experiencing in the moment.”
Ivanyo said he is planning to offer his mentorship to players that are still on the Ravens as well as younger athletes looking to reach the college level.
“I think just trying to pour into younger guys, younger kids, elementary through high school, these guys that are on the team still now, just trying to pour into them and try to give advice and help them try to succeed,” Ivanyo said. “ So I’m gonna try to stay around (basketball) as long as I can.”
Collins, who worked closely with Ivanyo for three years, said the award reflects more than stats and accolades.
“When I wrote Tate’s letter of recommendation for the award, I ended with, ‘There is nobody in the country more deserving of the Jostens Trophy than Tate Ivanyo,’” Collins said in a release from the Athletics Department. “I cannot overstate how closely the description of the Jostens Trophy aligns with the Tate I have come to know.”
Ivanyo’s personal motto—“How you do one thing is how you do everything”—drives his commitment to excellence in workouts, academics, and community service. His advice to younger athletes: “Stay ready, and live in the moment.”
A well-rounded student-athlete, Ivanyo’s service record includes volunteer work with Special Olympics, food drives, and summer basketball camps for youth. His dedication to helping others reflects the Jostens Trophy’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
“I’m thankful for my coaches, teammates and professors for always believing in me,” Ivanyo said. “And for my friends, family, and girlfriend who have always supported me.”
With the Jostens Trophy now part of his legacy, Ivanyo’s journey continues—this time in the medical field. However, his impact on Anderson University basketball, both as a player and a person, will last long after his graduation.