He played college football with the University of Wisconsin Badgers. During his first year, Stemke set the team punting record while averaging 43.9 yards per kick and in his second year, he was able to make the first team in the Big Ten Conference. In his senior year, he was able to break his own school record and averaged 44.5 yards per punt which was also the third best in the United States. He was awarded the very first Ray Guy Award for being the nation's top punter.