A dedicated young soccer player with a passion for Bethany College recently contributed to planned renovations at Anderson Field and Stadium.

Kaleigh Salzman, Falun, Kan., presented her own donation – along with donations from her family and grandparents – to Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III during a recent practice of her youth league soccer team.

Kaleigh is the daughter of Allen Salzman and Kathy Salzman, a 1988 Bethany graduate. She is the granddaughter of alumni Don and Ruth Trued.

“Bethany College is grateful for these gifts from Kaleigh and her family. We, and our students, are blessed to have such strong supporters,” said Leonard.

Planned improvements to Anderson Field and Stadium include a multi-purpose turf field and a new, widened track to accommodate a soccer field. Working with a budget for renovations in the range of $1.2 million, Bethany College and USD 400 are close to achieving their goal. For the project to come to completion in time for the fall sports season, though, additional funds are still needed.

“Kaleigh is making the donation because she’s observed other players’ fields and stadiums, in which they have lights, sound, bleachers, concessions, close bathrooms and shelter from storms, and she wants the best for the Bethany team. She’s a team player – just not on the team!” said Kathy Salzman.

Although only a third grader at Soderstrom Elementary School, Kaleigh already has extensive ties to the Bethany soccer program. She has participated in Lindsborg Parks and Recreation Department’s youth soccer league since she was in kindergarten.

“When I first started, my two soccer coaches were soccer players at Bethany. I thought it would be cool to watch their games,” she said. Kaleigh began to regularly attend Bethany soccer games, cheering for both the men’s and women’s teams. She made decorations for the bleachers and the field, and gave gifts of encouragement to the players.

Over the last several years, Kaleigh and her family have become close friends with many Bethany students, including Barrett Robbins, Whitney Holder and Jenny Hinman. The family forms new relationships every year. Currently, they are host family to sophomore Nnaemeka Obiagwu, Pine Bluff, Ark., who coaches the team Kaleigh plays on.

Bethany students have made many connections with local students like Kaleigh, said Kathy Salzman. She named a recent school visit by the men’s basketball team, a pen pal program with the women’s basketball team and Soderstrom Elementary School’s CHUMS program as examples.

To learn more about renovations at Anderson Field and Stadium, or to contribute, please contact Ted Kessinger at tkessinger@cox.net or 785-227-2107. Or, call the Bethany College Athletic Department at 785-227-3380, ext. 8184.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.

Caption: Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III and soccer coaches Steve Moore and Jeff Kidd were on hand to accept the gift from Kaleigh Salzman. They are pictured with Bethany student Nnaemeka Obiagwu and members of the Dominators, a local youth soccer team coached by Obiagwu.