Dancin' to Durham – Bak relishes role

The fourth in our six-part #DancintoDurham series deals with a community member who dances along with the Mustangs to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' national championship game Saturday, Dec. 18, through service. 

Dirk Bak is all about opportunities.

Even when the Sunnybrook Church college ministry assistant misses a cell phone call, a message comes across to the caller stating, "Life is all about opportunities – I've missed one by not talking to you."

It's a genuine mantra for the Sioux City native. In the last four years, many of Morningside University's football student-athletes can attest.

Head coach Steve Ryan sought an individual to serve as a community mentor of sorts for a large freshman class. Bak got his opportunity to show what he could do when Matt Holmes, the Sunnybrook college ministry leader, couldn't attend a presentation for the team during a preseason session at Goodwill Camp.

"It turned out to be significant in not only my life but also for my wife Amy," he reflected.

"It wasn't just about sharing with the team that day - I wanted to share and felt placed to do so," he noted. "I was looking for something that wasn't a one and done – a chance to impact young men's lives."

Ryan and Bak got a schedule worked out where The Chaplain, a moniker put on Dirk early in the process by some of the Mustangs' athletes, could get together a couple of times a week. During those Sunday meetings, Dirk lines up speakers or shares himself. Amy, who is known as the team's mom, also is involved during the smaller group sessions or one-on-one discussions.

"Hey, we all know life happens," Bak said. "Things can get difficult, and sometimes you just need somebody to talk to. We provide that within our weekly team chapel events. Amy and I always come out of the sessions feeling we have been the ones to gain so much. There is a trust built there that is a passion for both of us to continue to build on."

The parameters reach far beyond just the on-campus events. Dirk and Amy have each been on the previous two national championship game trips as they are in Durham. They've also helped out on Ryan's yearly mission trips that offer the football student-athletes a chance to help others less fortunate.

"It's truly been awesome getting to know so many of these guys like we do," Bak said. "When you're with them in some of the things we've been, it's hard not to get to know them on a deep level, which we want to do."

Acting on an opportunity.