Head Coach
Rick Van Pelt
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Assistant coaches change often. Confirm current staff on the program's official athletics site before reaching out.
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About Messiah University Basketball
Walk into the Messiah University gym on a game night, and you'll see something that doesn't fade with time, a program built on resilience, community, and the quiet confidence of a team that knows who it is. Head coach Rick Van Pelt has spent years constructing a culture where defense travels, ball movement matters, and players understand that wearing a Falcon uniform means something beyond the score. Messiah competes in the MAC Commonwealth Conference at the NCAA Division III level, where the competition is genuine and the margins between winning and losing demand precision. The program has cultivated a reputation for developing players who think the game, guards who see angles others miss, forwards who defend multiple positions, and a collective commitment to playing together. Van Pelt's approach values consistency and improvement over flash, building rosters where every player understands their role. The Grantham campus offers more than basketball. It's a place where student- athletes balance Division III basketball with rigorous academics and a close-knit community that remembers names and cheers for people, not just highlights. Alumni who've moved on carry that foundation forward, the kind of preparation that serves you long after your last game. If Messiah's approach resonates with you, it's worth exploring further. Before you reach out to a program at this level, make sure your game is where it needs to be. Florida Coastal Prep exists to help serious players close that gap, through elite training, academic support, and real exposure. Start at floridacoastalprep.com or /contact/.
Net price
$25,955/yr
Grad rate
78%
Enrollment
2,259
Full cost & outcomes
College Cost & Enrollment
Federal College Scorecard snapshot (retrieved 2026-11-04). Not a tuition quote.
Average net price: $25,955 / year
Net price by family income
- $0–$30,000
- $17,980 / year
- $30,001–$48,000
- $18,614 / year
- $48,001–$75,000
- $19,156 / year
- $75,001–$110,000
- $21,356 / year
- $110,001+
- $32,612 / year
More enrollment & tuition figures
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 2,259
- Average net price
- $25,955 / year
- Published tuition (in-state)
- $43,580 / year
- Published tuition (out-of-state)
- $43,580 / year
- Graduation rate
- 78%
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
MAC Commonwealth Conference Teams
| School | Location | Enrollment | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|
Albright College
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|
Location Reading, PA | Enrollment 1,217 | Avg. net price $20,596 |
Alvernia University
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|
Location Reading, PA | Enrollment 2,152 | Avg. net price $27,122 |
Eastern University
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|
Location St. Davids, PA | Enrollment 2,404 | Avg. net price $27,498 |
Hood College
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|
Location Frederick, MD | Enrollment 1,194 | Avg. net price $21,548 |
Messiah University
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|
Location Grantham, PA | Enrollment 2,259 | Avg. net price $25,955 |
Stevenson University
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|
Location Stevenson, MD | Enrollment 3,102 | Avg. net price $24,904 |
Widener University
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|
Location Chester, PA | Enrollment 2,951 | Avg. net price $26,151 |
York College
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|
Location York, PA | Enrollment 3,265 | Avg. net price $21,886 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Messiah University D3?
Yes, Messiah University is an NCAA Division III program in the MAC Commonwealth Conference. This page lists division, conference, coach contacts, and recruiting context for Messiah University men's basketball.
What conference is Messiah University in?
Messiah University competes in the MAC Commonwealth Conference for D3 men's basketball.
What is the average net price at Messiah University?
Federal College Scorecard data lists an average net price of $25,955 per year for students who received federal aid, after grants and scholarships. This is not a tuition quote.
What is undergraduate enrollment at Messiah University?
College Scorecard reports approximately 2,259 undergraduate students. Confirm current enrollment on the school's official website.
How do I get recruited to Messiah University?
Build updated game film, complete NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements for D3, and contact the coaching staff using verified emails on this page or the official athletics staff directory. FCP helps players prepare film and recruiting profiles for D3 programs. See floridacoastalprep.com/apply/ and the how-to-get-recruited guide on this site.
Messiah University Is Within Reach: If You're Ready
The difference between a player who gets offered by a D3 program and one who doesn't often comes down to timing and preparation. FCP prepares athletes for the moment when Messiah University's coaches are ready to evaluate, so you don't miss your window.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-11-04.