NAIA Student-Athlete Spotlight

Northwestern College (Iowa)

Football

Posted 09.14.06

Name: Jordan Van Otterloo

NAIA School: Northwestern College

Year: Senior

Major: Business marketing

Sport: Football

Hometown: LeMars, Iowa

Northwestern College senior defensive back Jordan Van Otterloo has made his mark in the Raider secondary for three seasons, earning all-league honors both in 2004 and 2005. Jordan has led the team in interceptions the last three years and enters his final season ranked sixth all-time in Northwestern history in career interceptions with 15. Click here for more information on NAIA football.

Name: Jordan Van Otterloo

Nickname:  VO

Dream Travel Destination:  New Zealand

Most Prized Possession:  My family

Morning Jog or Sleep In?  Sleep In

Strangest eating habit? None of the food on my plate can touch, and if it does, I won’t eat it.

Dog Person or Cat Person?  Dog Person

Favorite Color:  Blue

Favorite Type of Music:  Country

Favorite Food:  Spaghetti

Coffee or Tea: Neither, but I’m sure I’ll grow into a coffee drinker someday.

Favorite thing to do outside of football? Golf

Strangest thing you have brought to practice? 

Well, I’ve never actually brought anything too strange to practice, however, I’ve been brought to practice in a strange way. I was on my way to practice from out of town when my car died 15 min from Orange City. I walked to the nearest farm house, and I told the guy who lived there that I played for NW and was running late for practice. He was a pretty big fan, so instead of waiting for someone to drive out and get me, he gave me a ride into town, and I made it to practice on time.

Dream Job: Marketing position within the NFL

Favorite movie of all time: Dumb and Dumber

At what age did you first get involved in your sport? I have been involved in football for as long as I can remember. When I was little, my older brother used to throw shoulder pads and a helmet on me and we'd go in the backyard and he'd knock me around a bit, so it actually started there. But officially, I have been playing organized football since 7th grade.

Favorite thing about Northwestern College:

The people at NWC genuinely care about you. Whether it be professors, coaches, or students they all treat you with a great deal of respect. Also, the friends that I have made here are ones that will last a lifetime.

What does your team stand for? 

Our team philosophy for many years has been a Family On a Mission, and that is exactly what we are, a family. We are on a mission both on and off the field. On the field, we work toward and accomplish our goals together and play with class. Off the field, we conduct ourselves in a way pleasing to God.

What qualities and character traits do you bring to your team? My knowledge of the game, confidence, and quiet leadership. I am not the loudest or most vocal, but I like to be the type of player who people feed off of.

How do you incorporate the NAIA Champions of Character values (respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship) into your role on the football field? Coach Otten preaches the fact that we must be men of integrity. This can be accomplished by playing clean, having respect for your opponent and being disciplined.

What is your best football memory from your time at Northwestern College? Playing with my brother my freshman year, but more specifically beating Ottawa 36-33 that season in the first round of the playoffs in an up and down battle.

Click here to read more NAIA Student-Athlete Spotlights.