Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steigenga showed athletic ability at an early age, winning the 1978 National Football League Punt, Pass, and Kick competition.

The Jud Heathcote-coached Spartans in 1990 won the Big Ten championship and reached the NCAA tournament sweet 16.

Athletic, he scored his only field goal on an alley oop dunk, against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center.

Additionally, Steigenga played the 1995-96 pre-season with the Atlanta Hawks, but failed to make the regular season roster.

From 1992 to 2000, the Bulls notwithstanding, he represented the CBA's Grand Rapids Hoops (1992–93), Rochester Renegade (1993), Quad City Thunder (1996–98) and Rockford Lightning (1998–2000), also playing abroad in Spain (Taugrés, 1993) and Japan (Mitsubishi Electric Melco Dolphins, 1995–96).