My name is Caden Stimmel. I am from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and attended Mount Vernon High School, where I was involved with the football and track teams. I am a junior linebacker at the University of Dubuque. During my freshman year, I attended Hawkeye Community College, where I ran track. I transferred to the University of Dubuque for an opportunity to earn my degree in human health science while playing football. Choosing the University of Dubuque was an easy decision due to the exceptional professors and coaches it has to offer. Being a student athlete comes with a lot of mental stress while trying to balance my classes and athletics. My teammates and coaches here at the University of Dubuque make it sustainable for me to be a student-athlete by helping me through tough mental battles. While running track at Hawkeye Community College, I had a hamstring injury that would go on to affect my whole season. I didn’t feel like putting in my best effort in the classroom if I was unable to perform in my sport physically. Once I transferred to the University of Dubuque, my coaches instilled a new mindset in me that I should be doing my best work in everything I put my mind to. Playing football at the college level is something I’ll never take for granted, and I am beyond grateful to be surrounded by a great group of teammates and coaches. I encourage everyone to find people to challenge you to be the best version of yourself, while supporting you on that journey.
