Cornell College

Sturdy, a two-year starter at NCAA Division II powerhouse Northwest Missouri State University, joined Cornell’s football staff as wide receivers coach in Spring 2026.
 
Sturdy played three seasons (2021-23) at receiver for Northwest Missouri State, which made playoff runs in 2021 (quarterfinals) and 2022 (second round) while compiling a 28-9 record over three years. Sturdy was part of the 2021 Bearcats squad that won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) championship and finished 11-2.
 
Sturdy was named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society at Northwest Missouri State. He graduated in 2023 with bachelor’s degrees in management and marketing.
 
Sturdy played one season (2019) at NAIA’s MidAmerica Nazarene University. In 37 collegiate games, Sturdy totaled 57 career receptions for 782 yards with four touchdowns.  
 
Sturdy moved on to play professionally for the Kirchdorf Wildcats in the German Football League during the 2024 summer season. He was team captain and also served as offensive coordinator for one game.
 
Sturdy enjoyed a distinguished prep career, earning multiple all-state honors in football and track & field at DeSoto (Kan.) High School. He set the single-season school record for receiving yards and was an all-state track performer in the 800m, 4x400 and 4x800 relays. Sturdy helped DeSoto earn a runner-up team finish at the Kansas 5A State Track & Field Championships.
 
Sturdy worked as treasury analyst at Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City prior to arriving on the Hilltop. Sturdy and his fiancée Addison plan to wed in 2027.
 
Sturdy’s father, Todd, coached football collegiately since 1991, including head roles at St. Ambrose (1995-2006) and MidAmerica Nazarene (2018-19). Todd Sturdy held coordinator positions at Washington State, Eastern Washington and Iowa State.