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Bethel Focus
A Magazine of Bethel University
Power Surge!
How Contending in the NCAA is Telling Bethel’s Kingdom Story
If you look for both thrill and purpose in athletics, look no further than Bethel University. In just the past decade, Bethel has become a top multi-sport contender in the 13-school Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), one of the toughest Division III conferences in the nation.
More than 450 Bethel University students participate in 17 varsity sports. Next year, the addition of women’s golf will make it 18—nine for women and nine for men.
Extraordinary performance has attracted a new level of visibility for Bethel athletics, with major area media regularly covering Bethel athletes, coaches, and teams. And the notoriety has helped tell the kingdom story that is tightly woven into the entire athletic endeavor at Bethel University.
“Wins show Bethel is not some isolated Bible college,” says Judy Moseman, recently retired vice president for student life, who spent 26 years at Bethel building a strong athletics program. “The successes have allowed the story to be told to a larger audience.”
Moseman is gratified by the success of another historic effort she nurtured while at Bethel: parity in programs. In Fall 2008, the addition of women’s golf will give BU an equal number of women’s and men’s sports—nine apiece, for a total of 18.
Why the healthy growth in Bethel athletics, paying off in recent statistics and public recognition? Athletics staff say the phenomenon is composed of a number of strands, some old, some new:
- Success from changes in recruiting to bring in more talented student athletes.
- Experienced and synergistic coaching staff; and
- A central focus on Christian character—in place for years.
All these factors are now paying off in visible ways.
Focused Student Recruiting
No two Bethel coaches recruit the same way, but networking with high school coaches and assistants has stepped up, and interest is increasing from student athletes themselves. A majority of Bethel’s programs use web-based recruiting software to streamline and simplify the process. Technology gives part-time assistant coaches the ability to help the head coach by tracking and following up with prospective student-athletes in the recruitment pipeline.
“In contrast to a shotgun approach, we take a rifle approach to recruiting these days,” says Steve Johnson, head football coach since 1989. He and his coaching colleagues say they’re looking for the right kind of student who will fit into the team and benefit from the Bethel experience. “They gotta be good,” said Johnson, “but we also check out the heart.”
Men’s Hockey and Golf Coach Joel Johnson agrees that just being an accomplished player doesn’t guarantee a spot on the team: “The type of kid we look for has more to do with off-ice character than on-ice talent,” he says.
Where does Bethel find this kind of talent and heart—especially since NCAA Division III rules prohibit athletic scholarships? Freshman star running back Logan Flannery from Lakeville, Minn., may best illustrate the answer. Although his dad urged him to check out Bethel because of its spiritual emphasis and respected football coach, “I kind of wanted a bigger atmosphere,” he told the Pioneer Press newspaper in an interview. “[But] after giving [Bethel] a chance and getting to know the coach and people...it was a lot different. Coach J is amazing. He has a different relationship than a lot of coaches do with their players.”
“One of the goals we have is to get the prospective students on campus and show them around to help them get a sense of what Bethel is like on the inside,” says Steve Johnson. “Then they can decide for themselves whether it’s a good fit.” Recruiting also improves with a growing reputation, adds Johnson. “It’s easier to talk with prospective students when we’re more successful.”
Tough Training, Tough Teams
Once students find themselves at Bethel, Johnson has a way of reassuring them about the game itself.
“Because people think right away that Christians are soft,” Johnson observes, “we feel we’re called to be the most physical team in the league.” When he tells this to the Royals first thing every year, he says their eyes light up because the guys really want to play football—very much a contact sport.
Next, Johnson talks about horses. Horses that work hard—dependable, sleek, powerful, and full of integrity. Anybody can be [that other word for a mule], Johnson tells his team. “But being a horse, that’s something to shoot for.”
Working that philosophy into victories has a lot to do with common, everyday denial of self. Grueling drills and exhausting repetition of the fundamentals achieve a small miracle: a tough team that springs from a group of individuals. Teams often have two hours of practice time set aside on a daily basis, but to stay competitive, training outside of practice is expected, too. Bethel has a strength and conditioning coach who works with teams to develop off-season and in-season training programs that help athletes get in shape and stay healthy during their season.
On top of physical workouts, there is study of the game. Coaches often call their players together to analyze game videos to understand and improve individual and team performances in preparation for the next game.
Tough training is a valuable metaphor for the Christian life, Royals coaches believe. The men’s hockey team chose Hebrews 12:11 as its theme verse this year. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
A New World in Facilities
Since 1996, Bethel has introduced several new game and workout facilities, and has made major improvements to older ones, including the weight room.
“I feel like 1996 was the year that we really started to ‘get good’ and a lot of that had to do with finally having a facility we could be proud to call home,” says Johnson. The football team has since posted an overall record of 96-32—a .750 winning percentage and a 50-10 record at home.
In 2000, the Bethel baseball team began play on its new facility, Hargis Park. That same year, the team earned its first MIAC playoff berth. “It was great to finally have an on-campus field,” says Bethel Sports Information Director and Assistant Baseball Coach Dale Eng ’00, who was a Bethel student on that team. “It was pretty humbling to have to practice on little league fields, and then to be kicked off those fields by the little leaguers because they took precedence.”
Soon thereafter, construction began on the Ona Orth Athletic Complex to support the soccer, softball, and tennis programs. The complex opened in the fall of 2003 and one year later, the men’s soccer team earned a trip to the MIAC playoffs.
Just last winter, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was on hand to cut the ribbon at the Bethel University Arena at the Schwan’s Super Rink—part of the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., and home to the men’s and women’s hockey programs. The men’s team posted a 9-0 record in the new facility on their way to the NCAA Playoffs, where they reached the second round.
“We still need to put good athletes on the field to be competitive,” said Bjorklund, “but it certainly helps from a recruiting standpoint to be able to show prospective students that we’ve got a place for them to develop as players.”
In addition to the new facilities, the Sports and Recreation Center (SRC) got a major facelift before the 2006-07 school year to include a new running surface and a paint job. As a result, the SRC last February hosted its first indoor track meet since 2002, and looks to host more track and field events in the future.
Hiring Excellent Coaches
Strong leadership has also reinvigorated Bethel’s athletics program. Within the last three years, seven new head coaches have been hired, along with a new athletic director, Bob Bjorklund, who moved up from head men’s basketball coach.
Staffing decisions are made with a great deal of deliberation. The best candidates are carefully screened by a diverse group, including the vice president for student life, the athletic director, one other coach, the faculty athletic representative (who is Bethel’s liaison to the MIAC), plus student-athletes from the team. Most hirings even pass by the president (for interest, not vetoes; and it helps that he’s an avid fan).
“Good hiring involves a very strong, involved search committee and that committee includes students,” says Moseman. Coaches, she says, are selected according to four main criteria:
- A vital commitment to Jesus Christ
- An understanding of college students
- An appreciation of how NCAA Division III athletics is intended to support academics
- Knowledge of the game
How did “knowledge of the game” settle to the bottom of the list? At Bethel, it’s not only assumed; it’s part of a more demanding personal profile. “We crave more than just beating the competition,” says Senior Women’s Administrator and Volleyball Coach Gretchen Hunt. “Winning and character are intertwined.”
Managing for Synergy
Athletic Director Bob Bjorklund encourages an atmosphere of strategic team-building among his coaches. As you might guess, a relationship with Jesus takes center stage.
“At the core of what we do is a boldness about integrating Christian faith into every area of operation,” says Bjorklund. A self-described “born intuitive,” he pays attention to how every new hire could be “tethered together” with existing staff.
What does synergy look like in a coaching staff—and why does it matter for the success of Bethel teams? Hunt, who led this year’s volleyball team into NCAA second-round play for the second time, is convinced that synergy has a lot to do with fun.
“Our staff meetings are hysterical!” she says. But at the same time they’re productive. “We’re always trying to ask questions and talk about what worked and what fell flat on its face.” In this collegial spirit, Hunt says, she’s continually learning from her coaching colleagues: How to coach without yelling and yet get kids to play fearlessly, learned from Men’s Basketball Coach Jeff Westlund. Or how to engage kids in team-building, picked up from Head Softball Coach Rod Radcliffe.
High individual goals are also part of the mix. Bethel coaches demand growth in their own lives and expect it of each other. “I believe every day I get better as a man and coach or I get worse,” says Joel Johnson.
Bjorklund believes this example from the staff filters into the teams. “Players need to see how the coaches model respect,” he says. “Students mirror coaches.”
Moseman agrees: “There is no substitute,” she contends, “for the life-on-life mentoring that happens through [students and coaches] working, traveling, and being together through life’s different stages.”
Running with the Mission
The “sudden” success of Bethel athletics is sudden only for those who haven’t been paying attention, Steve Johnson declares. “Sure we measure success in wins and losses—so yes, we’ve had a successful run this year. But there are other measures of success that are as important—probably more important.” Those measures are how well a team supports the mission of Bethel: developing whole and holy Christian people.
“Sports provide a perfect opportunity to experience the same joys and challenges that exist in being a committed Christ-follower,” says Joel Johnson. “When you develop disciplined, godly character in coaches and players, winning takes care of itself.”
Whether winning or losing, Moseman maintains, the maturing process in student-athletes acts as a “salty influence” for the rest of the campus. “There is something gained [through athletics] that cannot be gained in any other way,” she asserts.
Provost Jay Barnes has been known to call the football team “the largest men’s discipleship group on campus.” In 1990, a young football player came to faith in Christ through the witness of the athletic program. That same week the team won a difficult game. After the game, Coach Johnson said to the young man, “Today’s win was only the second most important thing to happen this week.”
Solid on the Essentials
Over the past decade, parts of the athletics program have been changed and enhanced. And while a surging reputation in the NCAA gives greater visibility to God’s work at Bethel, a timeless focus on creating kingdom disciples will continue in season and out.
Bob Bjorklund hears the current chorus of praise through a filter of humility, refusing to be “chained to the tyranny of men’s opinions.” “We’re looking for a good win-loss record,” he says. “But we’re also looking for relational success.”
Steve Johnson links athletic success with joy. “Winning makes us happy,” he says. “But building character and winning makes for joy. And joy is bigger.”
By Kirk Livingston and Dale Eng ’00 Photos by Brad Person
As Head Football Coach Steve Johnson led the Royals to the NCAA Division III semifinals for the first time, the team was featured by media including the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, WCCO, KFAN, DARE, DSTPl, and college sports websites.
Royals Have an “Electric” 2007
Successful Seasons: Four Bethel teams—football, men’s hockey, volleyball, and men’s basketball—claimed MIAC championship titles and/or entered post-season play during the 2007 calendar year. In football, the Royals went all the way to the NCAA semi-finals. Last February, the men’s hockey team won its first conference title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Currently, Bethel teams in men’s hockey, men’s basketball, and women’s hockey are all in 2008 MIAC play-offs.
National Ranking: Thanks in part to the success of the football, volleyball, and cross-country programs, Bethel earned 133 points in the Fall 2007 U.S. Sports Academy Director’s Cup standings—good for 27th place—the highest among all MIAC schools.** Bethel first cracked the top-100 Director’s Cup list during winter 2007 when the school landed at 85th following strong Royals performances, including a first NCAA playoff berth for men’s hockey.
Student Awards: In 2006-2007, Bethel had 30 first team All-Conference athletes (the highest MIAC award for all-season performance). This doubles the number received during the 2002-2003 academic year. Already, the 2007-2008 season has produced two MIAC MVPs and four cross country All-Americans from Bethel, including the first two male cross country runners to win that title as Royals.
Academic Strength: An unprecedented number of Bethel athletes have been recognized for outstanding academic performance. Bethel had 36 Academic All-Star athletes the fall semester of 2007—tying with Carleton College for second place in the MIAC just behind St. Thomas. Bethel’s athletics program clearly supports the larger goal of higher education.
Coach Awards: Three Bethel coaches have been named MIAC Coaches of the Year: Jim Timp (men’s and women’s indoor track) and Dan Morton (men’s tennis coach) in the spring of 2007; and Head Football Coach Steve Johnson, who last fall earned his fifth COY award and second in a row, in addition to his second West Region Coach of the Year honors.
**Directors Cup standings are compiled each season
Season Spotlight
Football
The Royals advanced further in the NCAA playoffs than ever before and set several new school records for games played (14), games won (12), and playoff games won (3) on their way to the national semifinals. Bethel will enter next season as the reigning MIAC and West Region champions. The 2007 team featured MIAC MVP Ben Wetzell (Sr., Wells, Minn.) and Coach of the Year Steve Johnson. It’s Johnson’s fifth time winning the award since taking over the program in 1989. In addition, Brandon Carr (Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn.) was named a D3football.com All-American. This year’s team featured eight All-Conference First Team players and five Second Team players. Bethel finished the year with a 12-2 record and ranked fourth in the final national poll.
Volleyball
Bethel advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs before falling to eventual national runner-up UW-Whitewater. It was the team’s third trip to the national playoffs, and first since 2001. They finished the year with a 24-9 record and ranked No. 21 in the final national coaches poll.
Liz Glesne (Sr., Underwood, Minn.) was named MIAC MVP and set a new school record for kills; she now ranks second in the MIAC all-time with 1,984 kills for her career. Amy Anderson (Sr., Alexandria, Minn.) was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Volleyball Second Team for her achievements in the classroom as well as on the court.
Men’s Cross Country
Dan Greeno (So., St. Michael, Minn.) and Carl Gladitsch (Jr., Bloomer, Wis.) became Bethel’s first two NCAA All-Americans by finishing in 22nd and 32nd place in the national meet, respectively. The top 35 runners at the national meet are awarded All-American. The two also earned All-MIAC honors for finishing in the top 15 at the MIAC conference meet.
Women’s Cross Country
Marie Borner (So., Cottage Grove, Minn.) and Nikki Umhoefer (Sr., Sauk Centre, Minn.) became Bethel’s fifth and sixth cross country All-Americans by finishing 17th and 35th in the national meet, respectively. Borner was named MIAC Runner of the Year for finishing in first place at the conference meet, while Umhoefer also earned All-MIAC honors for finishing in the top 15.
Men’s Soccer
The 2007 Royals played extremely hard for first-year head coach Pepe Jon Chavez, but won their only conference game on the last day of the season by defeating Saint Mary’s 2-0. Chavez believes that despite their 4-14 overall record, the team always maintained its poise and that the win on the last game of the season will give them good momentum heading into next year. The team graduated four seniors, including Jake Haws (Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn.), who earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention and Sportsmanship awards.
Women’s Soccer
This year’s team played very competitively in the MIAC, but fell short of the playoffs, finishing with an overall record of 7-8-3. Jessie Tschetter (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) finished the season tied for the lead in overall scoring among MIAC players with 12 goals and nine assists for 33 points. She finished her career ranking second all-time at Bethel in points (67), third in goals (21), and second in assists (15). In addition to being named to the MIAC All-Conference team, Tschetter was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Second Team. Kristin Kishaba (Jr., Eau Claire, Wis.) and Charli Sorensen (Jr., Park Ridge, Ill.) earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention awards for the Royals as well.
Men’s Golf
Joel Johnson took over the reigns of the men’s golf program in addition to his duties as first-year head coach of the men’s hockey team. After a rocky start to the MIAC championship at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, Minn., the Royals overcame a large stroke deficit to finish in ninth place. A season highlight included a third-place team finish at the Carleton/St. Olaf Invitational, with five individuals finishing in the top 15.
Men’s Basketball
In just his second season as head coach of the Royals, Jeff Westlund’s team finished the regular season 15-10 overall and 11-9 in MIAC play. A dramatic 3-point buzzer shot by Tim Madson (Jr., Redwood Falls, Minn.) lifted them to a 74-72 win over Augsburg to go to the play-offs. Madson was named the College Sporting News Preseason Player of the Year for the MIAC, averaging better than 21 points per game. Mike Moberg (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) is among the top three rebounders in the MIAC.
Women’s Basketball
The Royals welcomed four transfer students, including one from a Division I program, to join their young but surging team. They finished at 12-13 overall, and 9-13 in the MIAC. The team was led by the conference’s leading rebounder and shot blocker, Annegret Nautsch (Jr., Seattle, Wash.). Nautsch had a triple-double, scoring 20 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and blocking 10 shots as part of Bethel’s record-setting 99-92 overtime win against Augsburg. She also broke a 25-year-old school record by amassing 303 rebounds during the season.
Men’s Hockey
The defending MIAC champions are once again in the play-offs. They finishd regular season play at 16-6-2 overall and 11-4-1 in the conference. Dan Bonne (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Jeff Balvin (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) recently became the 14th and 15th players in school history to reach 100 points in their career. Balvin is currently tied for the lead in overall points among MIAC players. The Royals are also enjoying their first full season on their new home ice—the Bethel University Arena at the Schwan’s Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
Women’s Hockey
The Royals finished their ninth season as a varsity sport this year and are back to the MIAC playoffs, as they were in 2005-06. Bethel ended regular play 11-11-2 overall and 8-9-1 in the MIAC. Earlier this season they earned their first-ever win over St. Thomas, a perennial national top 15 team. Bethany Murphy-Aultman (Jr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) became Bethel’s all-time leading scorer, making her the third female athlete to set a new school record this year.
Follow Bethel Athleics at a newly redesigned website: http://athletics.bethel.edu