When Tyson Reitsma first set foot on Dordt's campus as a high school student from Sioux Falls Christian, he didn't yet know the impact the Defender community would have on him. Now the senior men's soccer player is preparing to graduate, and he points to his time at Dordt as a season of growth—on the field, in the classroom, and in his faith.

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The recruiting process for Reitsma stretched over several years. Former head coach Ryan Gresse first connected with him as a freshman in high school, and the relationship continued to grow. Along the way, Tyson watched his older brother Colin thrive at Dordt, which added another layer of familiarity. But it wasn't until he visited campus multiple times that the decision became clear.

"Other schools had good programs and good coaching staffs," Reitsma recalled. "But it just didn't feel like the right fit. After my third or fourth visit here, being with the team and experiencing the community, I really felt like God was leading me to Dordt."
That sense of community—something many Dordt students mention—wasn't just a word to Reitsma. It was something tangible.

"It's hard to put your finger on, but the atmosphere here is uplifting," he said. "Professors, coaches, even administrators—they're intentional about building relationships. You know people care about you, and they want to help you grow."

Reitsma experienced a coaching transition early in his career when Eric Bourdo took over the men's program. The shift could have been unsettling, but for Tyson it was a smooth process.

"Coach Bourdo was already an assistant when I got here, so we had started forming a relationship right away," he said. "It was really evident that this was God's plan, and it's worked out well."

The 2025 season has brought its share of challenges, as Dordt has endured narrow losses and tough breaks early in conference play. But Reitsma sees a team that is close to breaking through.

"Looking back at the last few games, it's been a mix of unlucky plays and small mental lapses," he said. "But the way the team has responded in practice this week has been really positive. We're ready to move forward, especially with a couple of home games coming up."

Those home matches, played on Dordt's natural grass field, mean more than just familiarity.

"Our facility is the best in the conference," Reitsma said. "The field is wider than most, and playing on well-maintained grass gives us a real advantage, especially against teams used to turf."

Away from soccer, Reitsma has pursued a degree in business finance, inspired in part by his uncle, who runs a financial planning firm in Sioux Falls. His coursework has been rigorous—intermediate accounting stands out as a particular challenge—but he credits Dordt's professors with making a lasting impact.

"Professors like Dr. Veenstra, Professor Zevenbergen, Professor Nzioka, and others have been really intentional," he said. "They're great in the classroom, but they also take the time to get to know you as a person. That makes a huge difference."
Reitsma has already secured a position in finance after graduation, but he's committed to finishing well.

"It's definitely hard to stay disciplined when you know what's next," he admitted. "But in soccer we talk about being intentional and doing everything to the best of your ability. That's something I try to carry into academics and into daily life."

Looking back, Reitsma sees himself differently than the freshman who arrived on campus four years ago.

"I've grown a lot in maturity and in my faith," he reflected. "I've learned to be intentional in relationships, not to take people for granted, and to focus on making the people around me better every day. That's something I really strive for now."

As he prepares for the final stretch of his collegiate career, Reitsma hopes to help his team secure more wins while continuing to invest in the community that shaped him.

"This place has had such a big impact on me," he said. "I'm grateful for the relationships and for the way Dordt has prepared me for what's ahead."