(Wednesday, October 8; Sioux Center, Iowa) For Dordt football senior
Jamin Stuhr, the road from Webster City, Iowa — home of the Lynx — to Sioux Center wasn't a straight shot. It took several visits, a lot of reflection, he decided to become a Defender.
Defender Discussions Episode
"I actually had never heard of Dordt before," Stuhr admitted. "Coach McCormick and Coach Nutt reached out and really encouraged me to come up for a camp and a visit. I think I visited three or four times before committing. On that fourth visit, I was planning to tell them no — but I just felt the Holy Spirit working in me. I realized I didn't want to miss out on being part of something so special here."
That sense of calling has carried through Stuhr's time at Dordt, both on and off the field.
Stuhr began college with his sights set on pre-physical therapy, but after his first year, he recognized that the sciences weren't his strongest fit. His academic path took a turn when his advisor, Tim Klein, suggested he switch to sports management, combining his love for athletics with an interest in business.
"It was a little discouraging at first," he said. "I had big plans to graduate early and go into PT school. But I realized I still had a passion for sports and for helping people — just in a different way."
The shift proved to be the right one. Stuhr now sees the redirection as another example of God guiding his journey. "It forced me to trust that my plans might not be the Lord's plans — and that His are better," he said.
Like many college athletes, Stuhr had to learn patience. He began seeing more game action last season but says waiting for consistent playing time tested his mindset early on.
"It's incredibly hard to wait your turn," he said. "As a recruit, you imagine being a big-time player right away. But I learned quickly my identity isn't in playing football. I had a wake-up call during my freshman year when I broke my hand. That forced me to realize who I was outside the sport."
That lesson helped him find a different kind of role — one rooted in leadership and mentorship. "I've realized my role isn't necessarily to be the star player," he said. "It's to help develop the young guys and continue the culture that's been built here. I want to make it even stronger for the players who come next."
Dordt football has made steady progress in recent years, highlighted by playoff appearances and a strong start to the current season. Stuhr says being part of that growth has been deeply rewarding.
"Our coaches talk a lot about a race car analogy," he explained. "They've engineered and built this race car — our program — and it's our job as players to take it out and race it. That car has been getting built for years, ever since Coach Penner got here, and now we're seeing what it can do. We're not perfect, but we're moving forward fast."
With graduation approaching in May, Stuhr's future is still coming into focus. He's exploring opportunities in business management and considering staying in the Midwest, possibly around Sioux Falls. But he's at peace with not having every answer yet.
"It's still a little unclear what's next," he said. "But I'm living through it prayerfully and faithfully. I trust the Lord's going to figure out the rest."
Reflecting on how much he's grown since leaving Webster City, Stuhr doesn't hesitate to credit Dordt for reshaping his perspective.
"When I came here, I saw myself only as a football player," he said. "Now, I see myself as a man of God first. My faith has grown leaps and bounds, and it's changed how I view everything. It's no longer about what I can do for myself — it's about what I can do for the Kingdom."
That mindset, along with his humility and leadership, has made Stuhr a valued part of the Dordt football family — whether or not he's the one making the tackle on Saturdays.
"It's just really special to be part of a place like this," he said. "The people here — coaches, teammates, professors — they've helped shape me into who I'm becoming. And that's something I'll take with me long after football is done."
