This originally appeared as a guest editorial in the October 25, 2023 edition of the Sioux Center News 

"What have you done this week to grow in your faith?" A student-athlete sat across from me as we recorded the podcast I host that highlights Dordt University athletics. It's a question his coach asks him on a weekly basis; it's something he and his teammates talk openly about and challenge each other with.

I can't express strongly enough how much I enjoy speaking one-on-one with Dordt athletes and coaches. I get to see them at their highest and lowest. I get to see an 18-year-old develop and grow into a more mature adult by the time they graduate from Dordt, and I know they have been given the tools to not only grow in their Christian faith, but they also possess the tools to help others grow.

This isn't measurable like a grade point average (GPA) or a win-loss record in the conference standings, but I think it is impactful in a longer-lasting way than simply chasing a championship.

It also embodies The Defender Way, four points that summarize our athletic department's commitments and approach to competitive athletics:

We are committed to the Great Commission and Cultural Mandate.

By competitive standards, senior Peter Shippy had a tremendous 2022-23 year: All-American status and a team national title in cross country; All-American status in indoor track and an individual national champion performance in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. 

When I think of Peter, I see the journey he has taken to get where he's at. Early in his Dordt running career, he dealt with injury and disappointment. A few years ago, he served as an alternate at the NAIA Cross Country National Championship; the night before the race, it was decided that he wouldn't compete but would support his teammates. After hearing this news, Peter approached his coach and said, "Whatever you and the team need from me tomorrow, I'll do it." In the face of disappointment, his goal was to serve. This year, when it was Peter's opportunity to shine, earning all those honors and the accolades that went with them, he did so with humility and grace. I believe that along with his parents and family, Peter's past and current coaches have helped develop him into the servant leader we see today.

We are committed to equipping student-athletes to be servant leaders.

It's easy to recognize the Academic All-Americans and the NAIA Scholar-Athletes. The cumulative GPA of 2022-23 Dordt athletes was over 3.5, which is very impressive. But what about the student who doesn't qualify for Academic All-American status? We had a student in 2022-23 who had a tremendous close to their career, competing at a high level and graduating with a degree after missing a semester early in their career because of academic challenges.

This athlete graduated with a meaningful degree and a strong social network. They also are self-aware enough to realize when and where they need help. I'll remember the joy their coach had in talking about this athlete getting a diploma and the hard work it took to get to that point. There was as much celebration for that diploma as any win during the season. 

We are committed to the academic development of all student-athletes.

The 2022-23 school year, as successful as it was, seems like a fading memory as we dive into the new year. We're seven weekends deep into competitions right now, and the clarity and memory of the 500 competitions Dordt was involved in last school year seem dim to me, like the lights fading when a baseball game is done at 11:00 p.m.

Isn't that the truth about so many events in our lives? While we are in the thick of the action, it seems momentous, but we move on to the next event quickly, barely taking time to enjoy or reflect on events.

In 2022-23 we had NAIA National Champions, All-American honorees, Academic All-Americans, and a GPAC All-Sports Trophy. In many ways and measures, the year was successful beyond what we could have mapped out. A number of Dordt coaches were recognized for their work by earning Coach of the Year honors in the conference and at the national level. Our athletic director was voted by the conference as the Athletic Director of the Year for a second straight year.

We are committed to the pursuit of championships. 

What I write next may surprise you.  If the only events we celebrate this year are wins and awards, it's an empty season. 

There must be more.

In recent years, Dordt's athletic department has been very open and intentional about what drives it and what unifies it, and that's evident through The Defender Way. None of the four points of The Defender Ways exist on their own; all four are intertwined. Maybe that's the reminder I and those around me need as the 2023-24 academic year continues: we're all part of God's creation plan where we are meant to grow, develop, serve, and pursue.

Will we have another year like 2022-23? As a veteran of more than 22 years at Dordt and 35+ years of covering  and following closely Northwest Iowa athletics, I'd say my short answer is, "I don't know."

But I do know the success from last year, while celebrated, doesn't mean much on its own. 

There's more, there must be more. I hope we continue to shine the light on the "more" in this current athletic season.
 
 
Mike Byker
Director of Athletic Communications