Posted by
Sarah Hawbaker
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Mon, Jun 22, 2009
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Bethany
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Bethany finished the 2008-2009 year with a ranking of 59th (of 192) in the NAIA Learfield Sports Director's Cup. Bethany is the highest-ranked KCAC school on the list andthe second-highest NAIA school in Kansas on the list.
In last year's final standings, Bethany was ranked 47th, its highest finish ever.
Bethany Athletic Director Jon Daniels believes the college's rankings are proof that investments in athletics have a positive impact on Bethany's teams.
"Our investment in athletic facilities and the support of the administration have not gone unnoticed. Bethany coaches and athletes have been able to achieve under these positive circumstances," he said.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 12 sports - six women's and six men's. Schools must participate in a sports' national event to be eligible to receive points.
Although Bethany didn't receive any points for the fall, women's and men's indoor track and field received points (51) for the winter and men's golf, men's tennis and men's and women's outdoor track and field received points (158) for the spring. In all, Bethany had 209 total points for the 2008-2009 seasons. The top-ranked team, Azusa Pacific, led with 915 total points.
KCAC Standings
Rank College (points)
59 Bethany College (209)
72 Southwestern College (171.50)
88 Kansas Wesleyan (135)
122 Friends University (86.50)
127 Bethel College (83.50)
130 Sterling College (78)
134 Ottawa University (73)
146 McPherson College (55)
164 Tabor College (33.50)
University of Saint Mary did not receive any points.
Investments in Swede Athletics
Bethany has partnered with local community members, alumni and friends in athletic department investments, which help the college fulfill its mission of educating, developing and challenging individuals to reach for truth and excellence. Bethany student-athletes learn both inside the classroom and on the playing field.
"Bethany seeks excellence in all aspects of the college and certainly excellence in athletics is a part of that goal," Daniels said. "Quality facilities help to recruit and train quality athletes and to hire and retain good coaches."
In the last two years, athletic department investments at Bethany include:
- The adoption of a new Swedes athletic mascot
- New bleachers and a renovated floor in Hahn Gymnasium
- A multi-purpose artificial turf field, Lindstrom Field, and a widened track
- Facilities renovations in Anderson Stadium, including a new scoreboard
- New sod at the baseball field
- A new weight room addition to Stroble-Gibson, now complete and filled with donated equipment
This summer, more improvements are scheduled for Hahn Gymnasium, including the addition of new basket supports, backboards, rims, a shot and game clock, and suspended volleyball nets.
A Tradition of Success
Bethany College has won 142 conference championships, with several teams competing in their national events each season. This spring, Bethany had at least one athlete chosen as KCAC Player of the Week each week the honors were given. In addition, eight softball athletes earned Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete honors. Bethany's softball team had the most athletes on the list of all NAIA softball schools.
The men's tennis team has been conference champions nine of the past 10 years, and the women have won eight of the past 10 years, while the golf team has claimed the title 12 of the past 15 years. The football team has appeared in 13 national championship play-off games and has won 16 KCAC championships.
About Learfield Sports
Learfield Sports, a leader in the collegiate sports marketplace for almost four decades, manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for nearly 50 collegiate institutions including Oklahoma, Penn State, North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Alabama, Purdue, Indiana, Miami (Fla.) and Stanford, which has been awarded the Directors' Cup trophy 14 consecutive years. The Dallas-based company also manages corporate partner programs for the Big Ten Conference and the Western Athletic Conference and secures marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA). Learfield Sports (learfieldsports.com) is an operating unit of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Learfield Communications, Inc., which made its initial foray into the world of sports marketing in 1975 as the radio rights holder for the University of Missouri, a client still today.
