The coaching staff at Dordt University was recognized by the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce for its involvement with Sioux Center Recreation.
Dordt University coaching staff involved with Sioux Center Recreation received the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award this spring as part of the 2025 Spirit of Community event.
“It’s inspiring to see Dordt University’s coaches draw out the student-athletes abilities on and off the court, but if you look closely around the community, you’ll see something even more inspiring,” says Dale Vander Berg, mayor of Sioux Center.
The coaching staff has become known as a pillar for community involvement by encouraging their teams to engage with the youth through sports, in their classrooms, and building relationships in everyday life, modeling this service through coaching, volunteering, and sacrificing of themselves to become and develop servant-leaders in the community.
“These coaches are shaping a mindset in their athletes that they are not entitled to anything, but instead, they're willing to sacrifice their time, talent and personal desires, to invest in others,” says Vander Berg.
Serving others is a key aspect of the Defender Way, which drives Dordt’s athletic department. “We're extremely blessed to be a part of an athletic department that is very committed to developing our student-athletes, not just as athletes, but also spiritually, academically, and then as servant leaders,” says Jackie Smith, head women’s volleyball coach at Dordt.
According to Smith, finding the opportunities to serve is a team effort, as each coach and program gets to identify needs and opportunities to engage with residents and programs in the community. “And this awesome community of Sioux Center offers a ton of opportunity for that,” adds Smith.
Whether it’s the women’s basketball team serving local communities after catastrophic flooding in 2024, the football team engaging with area elementary school students through reading and recess, or the women’s volleyball team facilitating fellowship opportunities with Crown Point residents through coffee and crafts, the athletic department can be seen throughout the community all year long.
This community involvement is both a tangible way to express the department’s gratitude for the support they receive on the fields and courts, and as a “tangible way for us to equip our student athletes to become servant leaders and to have a kingdom impact,” says Smith.
Dr. Darin Keizer, athletic director at Dordt, continues to be inspired by the coach staff’s willingness to serve in addition to their other responsibilities. “These coaches continue to meaningfully engage with all ages, without it being ‘required,” says Keizer. “They work with a commitment to serve with excellence. In conversations with community members, they frequently note how much it means to see our coaches and athletes within the community. It’s evident that this dedication is creating a lasting kingdom impact.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to a Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is consistently recognized as a top university by The Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Dordt will conduct a prescribed burn in the Dordt Prairie this afternoon, beginning shortly after 1 p.m. Crews aim to finish before the 4 p.m. high school soccer game. This controlled burn helps maintain the health of the prairie ecosystem. For safety, please avoid the burn area during the afternoon.
Dordt University has launched BEESTINGZ curriculum, a free, open-access resource on utilizing beekeeping in STEM education.
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