Peter Stuursma ’93 — associate professor of kinesiology instruction and Hope’s head football coach — addressed Hope’s Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in Holland, Michigan. It was the 161st commencement for Hope College, which celebrated 815 graduates — the largest graduating class in Hope’s history.
“Your Story is Still Being Written”
By Peter Stuursma ’93
Good afternoon, Hope.
First, I would like to recognize one of the greatest “callings” in the world and recognize the mothers here today as we celebrate them.
Graduates, wherever your mom may be, she is smiling today.
Class of 2026, esteemed colleagues, the board of trustees, Matt, and the family and friends who are here today to honor this outstanding group of young people: Thank you for this incredible honor to speak to you today.
I was sitting with a current member of the board of trustees a few weeks ago — someone I truly respect and admire. We had a healthy debate on the topic of self-deprecating humor and/or self-positive talk.
What is my point? I have always marveled at the qualities it takes to be a leader in this world today, to run a business, an organization, a nonprofit or to be the president of a college and yet I wonder why in the world, would a graduating class choose a football coach to be their commencement speaker?
I sat in those chairs as a student, as a member of this faculty, and as a parent of two recent graduates.
Then it dawned on me. I am not nearly as smart or as qualified as Dr. Marcus Fila (Hope professor of management)!
I am, in no way, as qualified to spread the gospel like Rev. Shomari Tate (chaplain of prophetic witness) did a couple of years ago!
And I am nowhere close to being as funny or as witty as President Scogin, though I am much taller!
So, I ask myself again, why would a football coach be standing here today addressing
the class of 2026?
As I reflected, it’s because I believe in some very simple things, like:
- People matter!
- I believe you win with people and relationships, and interactions with people make a huge impact!
- I believe you are far less broken than you believe you are!
- In fact, I believe you are well-tooled to survive — and thrive.
- I believe you are continuing to write your story and it is far from complete.
Having been in public education for 22 years, I realized that when students were preparing to graduate from high school and seeking the individual independence they longed for, it was not always this wonderful experience for everyone.
In fact, for many it was a struggle, it was challenging, and it took a lot of work, a little luck, maybe a little grace, and a lot of support to make it happen!
Here at Hope, we “get to” be a support system to bridge the past with the now, while continuing to build on the powerful foundation for which you stand.
Today, I recognize that it may not have been easy to get to this point, yet, I marvel at the sheer number of you, set to graduate from this institution of HOPE. You now have the opportunity to show the world the tangible qualities you have: your incredible zest for life, your energy and excitement, how you choose joy, and the tremendous confidence you have in who you are.
It goes without saying that some will attend graduate school, others will travel, some will take a gap year, and many will enter the workforce.
I am inspired by you and how you arrived at this point today. Yes, you are a bit older and wiser, a bit more prepared, you are more confident, and you are more mature then when you started this journey!
I am also not going to apologize for saying you are incredible people who make us proud. You are ready and you are prepared!
Being blessed with this honor to speak to you today, I did what most of us would have done when brainstorming ideas for an effective commencement address. Unfortunately, not much information came up for a football coach giving a commencement speech! So, I:
- asked mentors and confidants
- asked Chat GPT
- asked Google
- asked family members
- even asked a couple seniors sitting on the concourse in DeVos Fieldhouse
The answers I received:
- Don’t quote things. Be quotable!
- You can never be bad if you are short with the length of your speech.
- Don’t define the world “out there” for graduates. It is theirs to define.
- Don’t try to be someone you are not.
- Speak in reality and provide something new!
Well, I am not as smart as Marcus Fila (Hope professor of management), nor am I as theologically developed as Shomari Tate, nor am I as funny as President Matt Scogin. Yet, I have an uncertified PhD and an expert opinion on the positive impacts of young people – all of you!
I often ask our players “what would the 22-year-old version of you say to the 18-year-old version of you?” The responses are quite obvious!
That is exactly the point. All of you have grown up in so many ways. You don’t have it all figured out. None of us do. Yet you have grown through your experiences and your interactions with PEOPLE! That is inspiring.
Last spring, my wife Amy and I were fortunate to attend one of the many SEED trips through Hope Athletics. There were 17 Hope student-athletes, my wife and I and the great Courtney Kust (Hope women’s associate head basketball coach) for 10 days in Costa Rica.
Here is what we learned about those wonderful young people. How worried, nervous and anxious they were about: “What comes next in life for me?” “What am I supposed to be doing?” We were mesmerized by our team and their incredible care for others, their ability to teach, to discover, and to develop a bond with the people and the young athletes of Costa Rica! We were in awe as we watched our team walk alongside local communities through the installation of water filter systems that could actually impact and influence our world for change. We were enamored by how pulled together our student-athletes were as we debriefed and provided testimonials each night, and they delivered their love of sport and the gospel to others around them.
We were also inspired by their leadership, their grit and toughness, their ability to adapt, and laugh, and have fun. This allowed me to surmise the following:
- They are way further along than they think.
- YOU are way further along than you think. (Not that we have a vehicle to actually measure this)!
- Yet, it is my opinion that this is only the beginning for all of you!
I have a picture that hangs in my office that one of our sons gave me a few years ago and it reminds me of what we saw in Costa Rica and what I see in all of you, the graduates, sitting here today. The picture reads in part: “Dad: If I could give you one gift in life, it would be for you to see yourself through my eyes.”
If I could give you, the class of 2026, one gift in life, it would be for you to see yourselves through our eyes, the eyes of this institution and all who represent it, through the eyes of your friends and classmates, and through the eyes of your parents, grandparents and loved ones.
Then, you will realize what we get to see:
- The incredible spirit, energy and inspiration you bring to this campus every day!
- Your incredible will to compete on the field, on the court and in the classroom!
- The way you open a door and say to a prospective student and their family: “Welcome to Hope!”
- The way you show up for people around you and share your hearts with others.
- You would also hear the question I ask our guys all of the time: How do you take down a giant tree in the forest of redwoods? You just keep chopping. You keep swinging without care or concern or a thought of quitting.
You are so close to finding it, to seeing it, and to discovering something special. You are so close……Just keep swinging, keep chopping, and just keep going. And when you get that tree to fall, just move on to the next one.
You are writing your story and it is far from complete. You are just getting started. Keep writing, keep swinging and keep chopping.
It was once stated by my dear friend Stu Fritz that he is writing a book (and one that no one will read)! Well, I would argue that you are writing your book and your story as we speak! Just keep writing, keep swinging and keep chopping! You are so close! I believe that your story and your book is one that everyone would be crazy not to read.
Tell your story. It’s a good one. Ask someone about their story. It’s amazing what you will learn. Ask me about my story, and I will gladly share:
- Though I do it with a visor and a whistle on this very field in this stadium!
- I love to share with anyone willing to listen.
- That “I get to do this”
- I get to be around some of the finest young people in the world!
- I am hopeful that all families of these incredible students will trust the words of a football coach when I say, “your kids are incredible human beings to be around and we are honored to be a small part of their story.”
I also believe that the ultimate story is already written. You are just waiting for it to be revealed!
So, I ask one more time: “Why in the world would a football coach be here today addressing this graduating class?” Maybe it is because the plan has already been written, you just have to find it. Or perhaps the real reason is to leave you with a few things that I think still matter today:
- Live where your feet are!
- You are so close, just keep moving one moment at a time and one day at a time.
- Write a handwritten note to someone who has made a difference in your life.
- OR Leave a Starbucks or other gift card for someone… just because!
- Chase significance and not success.
- Think big. Dream big. You all are pretty good at what you do!
Please take a moment today and:
- Say hello and open a door for somebody.
- Don’t cut across the grass.
- Say “I hope you have an amazing day.”
- How about saying “see you later” instead of goodbye.
- Show up for those around you!
Say “thank you” to your parents and grandparents if you are fortunate to have them around, because they are so proud of you.
Keep showing up! Keep swinging and keep chopping! Say, “I love you” and mean it!
You are way further along than you think. Attack every day as if you have no idea what is on the other side. Keep sharing and writing your story, because you are far from finishing your book!
Class of 2026 … We are so excited to hear about your story and we can’t wait to see you again soon!
Best of luck. Love to you all. God bless you… and Go Hope!!