By Mallory Mattingly
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz explained why he thanks God he hit “rock bottom” his freshman year of college.
“I think like the suffering that I went through my freshman year of college really led me closer to the Lord,” Stirtz said on an episode of “The Walk” podcast. “I was at rock bottom — missing my family and friends and feeling like I had no purpose. I remember crying most days during that first week. I felt lost, like I had nowhere to turn.”
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Throughout his high school years, the athlete hadn’t read his Bible much, but when college came around, he decided to open it up.
“I hadn’t spent much time in the Word in high school, but that’s when it really clicked for me. Within that first week, I got connected to a good church, found a strong community and joined a college ministry and Bible study,” the guard said. “That made a huge difference. I also started spending time in the Word as much as I could, which was very new for me in college.”
“I think for a lot of people going to college — whether you’re an athlete or not — being surrounded by a Jesus-following community isn’t always top of mind,” he reflected.
Stirtz finally found peace on the basketball court once he began reading the Bible more and surrounding himself with other believers.
“Money, fame, and worldly things will never satisfy you. Only Jesus can,” he told His Huddle in July.
During that same podcast conversation with “The Walk,” Stirtz discussed his understanding of the Gospel.
“It should have been us on the cross, but it was the most perfect man who hung there for our sins,” he said.
Stirtz urged listeners to “believe in Him, trust in Him and believe that He died on the cross for your sins.”
Stirtz spent his freshman year of college at Northwest Missouri State, where he was a two-time second-team all-league selection, was “named 2022-23 MIAA Freshman of the Year, while averaging 12.6 points, recording most steals by any NCAA Division II freshman (65)” and had “27 starts while leading league in field goal percentage (.601) and assist-to-turnover radio (2.28),” the Hawkeyes reported.
Now, Stirtz is ready to lead his team in college basketball’s biggest tournament: March Madness. The Hawkeyes will travel to Tampa, Florida, where they will play the No. 8 seed Clemson. No matter what happens for Iowa, Stirtz is ready to leave it all on the floor while also bringing glory and honor to Christ.
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