GENERAL INFORMATION
The Pilots compete in 23 varsity sports and 5 reserves sports and are full members of the Crossroads League, associate members of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) for Men's and Women's swim and dive, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for Women's Lacrosse, ESPORTS, and Men's Volleyball, and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC), Great Lakes Esports Conference (GLEC), and National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) for ESPORTS. At a national level, the Pilots compete in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA, Division I).
MISSION STATEMENT
Adopted in the fall of 2015 under Athletic Director Tom Visker, Ph.D.
The mission of Bethel University Athletics is to enhance the mission of the university. Through a faith-based approach to athletic competition, we are committed to assisting in the transformation of lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ and equipping our student-athletes to become servant leaders who positively influence their teams, the campus, and the world for Christ.
CORE VALUES
Spiritual Formation
We are committed to the nurturing of a flourishing relationship with God in each of our student-athletes.
Athletic Development
We are committed to developing the athletic skills, abilities, and talents of our student-athletes through training, practices, and competitions with the ultimate goal of glorifying God as we compete.
Servant Leadership
We are committed to developing our student-athletes as servant leaders through leadership training, service opportunities, and missions trips.
Academic Excellence
We are committed to our student-athletes achieving and excelling in their academic work to prepare them well for their calling and career.
HISTORY
1950s
The Pilots' athletic program began in 1958 with the announcement of a men's basketball team and Bethel played in their first intercollegiate contest on January 7, 1959.
1960s
Bethel would add baseball (1963), men's cross country, men's golf, and men's tennis (1965), and men's soccer (1967). Bethel joined as a member of National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in 1968.
1970s
Women's basketball (1973), women's volleyball (1974), and softball (1977) made their debuts.
1980s
Bethel athletics joined the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC), now known as the Crossroads League, in 1980.
1990s
It wasn't until 1991 that any additional teams would be added to the athletic department, when women's cross country and women's tennis made their debuts. Men's and women's track and field (1995) and women's soccer (1996) were also added in the 1990s.
2000s
Bethel was the first school in the Crossroads League to add women's golf as an official sport (2005). Men's wresting was briefly an official sport from 2002-04.
2010s
Women's lacrosse was added in 2015, while coed competitive cheer (2017), men's and women's swimming and men's and women's bowling (2018), and coed esports (2019) made their program debuts. Coed drumline was briefly a sponsored sport from 2015-19 as was men's rugby from 2015-20.
2020s
Men's volleyball was announced as a sponsored sport in the spring of 2021 with competition to begin in the 2022-23 athletic year.
MASCOT - THE PILOTS
"Christ is the Pilot and we are the crew."
Beacons
"This name has a wholesome and distinguished appearance; it has a spiritual reference. Also, it would be in keeping with similar names within the school."
King's Men
No explanation given.
Helmsmen
"The helm and the university inscription "With Christ at the Helm" are already a part of the school. The Helmsmen would follow this line of thought."
Blazers
"Bethel University is blazing its way to recognition as an institution through and for the Christ which it glorifies and the standards which it upholds. Bethel students, as missionaries, pastors, teachers, and laymen, are going out to blaze a trail throughout the world."
Pilots
"The Lord is our Pilot and we are his co-pilots. It has a Christian sound to it; it is easy to yell in cheers."
Crusaders
"Bethel's purpose is crusading for Christ whether on or off the basketball floor."
