Hall of Fame
Leah Gamblin Dutchik makes it back-to-back years that a women’s soccer student-athlete has been inducted into the Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame, joining teammate Cally Gavlick (Siegel) (2021), and Kathleen Juhaz and Carrie Obermoeller.
At Missouri Baptist, Leah was a three-time team captain and captained the only MBU Women’s Soccer team to topple a No. 1 team in the country. That same year, Leah helped lead the Spartans to the highest ranking in program history at No. 12 in the NAIA, along with the 2002 AMC regular-season conference title. By the end of her career, the 2000 Spartan Award recipient held the record for most games started, games played, and assists. A three-time AMC Academic All-Conference, two-time Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete selection and member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society, Leah graduated summa cum laude in 2003 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She also earned her Master of Business Administration from MBU in 2006.
The wife of MBU alum and former soccer coach Chip Dutchik, Leah is the mother of three fantastic children. Currently, the Dutchik family resides in Dallas, Texas, where Leah works as Managing Director at JP Morgan Chase. She has been named a CitiMortgage President’s Club Winner and to the Top 100 Women Leaders of JPMorgan Chase. In the community, Leah is on the praise & worship team, a Lifegroup leader, and on the finance committee at Frisco First Baptist Church. She also is a non-profit board member at Mission Possible Kids.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT LEAH:
“There are many things that I could speak of as they relate to the impact Leah had on my life as a teammate and, more importantly, as a friend. With that said, one thing that stands out is that Leah has always led with grace. She inspired her teammates to be the absolute best version of themselves; because of that, we achieved more than we ever would have thought possible. Leah was our leader. She was our captain and, more importantly, was an example of what a woman of faith embodies. I am so thankful that Missouri Baptist brought Leah and I together. I will be forever grateful that this University and this special soccer program paved the way for our lifelong friendship.”
– Former MBU Women’s Soccer Player April Kelcher
“I remember convincing Leah to join the team as she was coming to MoBap to study but had decided not to play in college. Jamie Raub helped convince her to play, and the rest is history. Leah is one of the most driven, dedicated, and gritty players I have ever had the privilege to coach. She took every challenge we laid in front of her and surpassed everyone’s expectations. Her mentality was that of an elite athlete, and she was a joy to coach. Perhaps what stood out most was not just her relentless work rate and technical ability on the field, but Leah was a complete team-first player and a great leader on and off the field. This recognition is a testament to these things and so much more. I am proud of you Leah, and love you.”
– Former MBU Head Women’s Soccer Coach Juan Pablo Favero
“Leah is the most selfless, Christ-centered woman I know. It was an honor to play soccer with her. She was an exceptional teammate and role model as well as a beast on the pitch.” – Former MBU Women’s Soccer Student-Athlete Jamie Hutchinson
