Chasing Community
When Craig Becker transferred to Dordt University, it was the third university he had attended in three years.
“I knew I could benefit from a place that had a better community,” says Becker, who hails from Atlantic, Iowa.
Becker found that community through the track and cross-country teams at Dordt.
“My first meet here, it was a home meet: the Sunflower Opener, after the race I remember being flooded by so many people, teammates, family, even family of teammates,” says Becker. “My mom and dad were shocked because they’d never seen so many people come together. I spent over an hour just talking with teammates, meeting family members. That overall sense of community was overwhelming.”
Becker’s experience running for Dordt has been very beneficial to both his faith and academic life.
“It started with a lot of gratitude, I think coming from the environment that I did, to where I am now, and in that seeing how I could continue to be an example of Christ, and help other people grow in that relationship,” says Becker.
Becker is a Health and Human Performance (HHP) major, who someday hopes to coach at the collegiate level. While on Dordt’s cross country and track teams Becker has set two school records, been a three-time All-American athlete, and two-time conference champion.
He recalls how, when he moved into his apartment, he immediately misplaced his medals. He was grateful for the opportunity to earn the medals, but “to me, putting up a photo of my family or my teammates is something that I would mount a lot quicker than some medal,” says Becker.
Becker didn’t win those awards on his own; he was supported and inspired by his teammates, professors, and coaches at Dordt. Some of Becker’s biggest encouragers was biology instructor Henry Byl; he also felt greatly encouraged by cross-country coach Nate Wolf, who was named NAIA Coach of the Year after the Defenders won the NAIA Cross Country Championship.
“Yes, he’s our coach, but at the end of the day, he’s a mentor trying to guide us through and helping us grow as a person,” says Becker.
Outside of Dordt, Becker puts 10-12 hours a week in at Snap Fitness in Sioux Center where he is a personal trainer for clients aged high school through adult and teaches two group fitness classes a week. Working at Snap Fitness has been a continuation of Becker’s passion for coaching, and a vital step in his career.
“Being able to have a wider view on how to coach different people, different ages, different goals, has been super cool,” says Becker. “I am truly convinced there is not a single other place I would rather be working for that provides as much benefit or enjoyment.”
Working at Snap Fitness has shown him how important it is to understand health topics related to a variety of populations. "Working with so many ages at the gym, it has been great to have the background knowledge from my time at Dordt to apply to a real-world environment."
Over the last three summers, Becker also served as a group leader at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp at Central College in Pella, Iowa.
"My time at camp never fails to amaze me," he says. "This year I couldn't help but stand in awe as I saw the faithfulness of so many high school athletes genuinely wanting to pursue Christ."
His biggest takeaway from the camp is the power of just being faithful. This past year, he was placed in a leadership role; he didn't feel equipped enough for it. Still, "God showed me it is not how ready I am, but rather, how faithful I am to His incredible work," says Becker.
Becker may have made a few stops along his collegiate running journey, but Becker says he is thankful for those stops, because they have made him who he is now.
“Sometimes I wonder if I would have started here my freshman year if it would have been better… but I think it was better for me to have the journey that I did, to get a more encompassing view, especially on the coaching side of what to do… and maybe what not to do,” says Becker.
