ADRIAN, Mich. – For the third time, "Hail Adrian" has been crowned the top fight song in NCAA Division III. D3Playbook hosted a 32-team, bracket-style tournament where Division III schools competed head-to-head in a fan vote to determine the best fight song. Adrian College earned its third title, previously winning in 2021 and 2023, and now again in 2025.

After a dominant run through the bracket, "Hail Adrian" defeated Central College (Iowa) in the championship round, winning by a 64.3% to 35.7% margin, with a total of 356 votes cast.

"For our students and our program, this recognition means the world," said Frank Hribar, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs. "'Hail, Adrian!' isn't just a fight song, it's the heartbeat of our college spirit and tradition. To have it voted the Best Division III fight song in the country for the third consecutive time is a tremendous honor, and it speaks volumes about the pride our students, alumni, and community feel for Adrian College. Our marching band takes great joy in leading the campus in this tradition, and every time we play it, we know we're connecting generations of Bulldogs. This award is a reflection of our students' energy, our fans' passion, and the strength of the Adrian College family."

The story of Adrian College's current fight song began in the fall of 1988, when Darin McNabb, Class of '89, approached his band instructor with an idea to write a new song. Given the green light, McNabb composed a fight song that became a hit and was played for the next few seasons before being set aside.

In 2007, when McNabb learned that the Bulldogs were forming a new marching band, he reached out to band director Dr. Marty Marks with the idea of reviving and updating his original composition. The proposal was brought to Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking, who approved the project. Just a few months later, the marching band debuted the revamped version of "Hail Adrian!"

"I also wanted to promote a positive up-beat message that included references to school pride, school colors, a supportive crowd, and the Bulldog mascot," McNabb said in the article. "Finally, I wanted to be sure to include the words 'heroes,' 'champions,' and 'victory,' to convey the concepts of excellence, pride and success, concepts I think Adrian College has always strived to instill in its graduates."

"Hail Adrian" has since become a staple of the college's traditions, echoing through the stadium at football games, playing after every NCAA men's hockey goal, and resonating throughout the campus community.

"I am so proud to know that my music will help create that great atmosphere found only at collegiate athletic events for many years to come," McNabb said.
 
Hail Adrian!
Hail, hail to Adrian —
The home of the Black and the Gold!
Cheer, cheer for Adrian —
Lift high your voices, proud and bold,
"Go, Dawgs, Go!"
Fight, fight for Adrian —
And champions again we will be!
Our heroes will score,
and the crowd will roar,
"Another Bulldog victory!"