Athletics

Things I’m Involved in and Why I Love Them

Everyone is different, but for me, being busy means feeling happy and like I’m making a difference.  I did not learn this until I got to college.  I don’t mean that being super stressed out all the time is what brings me joy, because it certainly doesn’t.  However, doing things — be it activities or work — that benefits others as well as myself gives me a feeling of satisfaction and purpose.

Getting involved in college can help you meet people — friends, mentors, etc.  Campus involvement can also build up your resume, earn your some extra cash, and also just be really fun!

Of course, the amount of involvement and how it correlates to one’s happiness varies from person to person.  Here’s just a list of what I’m involved in, why I do it, and how you can get involved if you’re interested.  

There is a lot more to Bethel than just the things I’m involved in though, so I’ve provided a link that can help you find out what all Bethel has to offer you.  Whether your interests are in theater, math, board games, or anything and everything in between, Bethel’s got something you’ll love.

Student Government Association.  

Once I got to college, I decided that I was going to get involved.  This was one of the best decisions of my life.  I had heard about this thing called Student Senate (now called SGA), and found out that elections were coming up, so I decided to run.  I got elected as a Freshman Senator and immediately loved the atmosphere of the meetings and loved the work that this group was doing that I got to be a part of.  I just got elected as the Vice-President of the Study Body, and I can’t wait to start on my work in my new role.  I, along with the other members of SGA, get to be a direct part of making changes that students want to see at Bethel College, and that to me, is so cool.  We get to meet with Administration and lots of other important and amazing people at the college, as well as work with our other SGA members and peers who we can learn so much from.

Plus, being on SGA is a great way to gain leadership experience.  It’s not only a resume booster, but it’s also an opportunity that you can gain experiences from that will last you a lifetime.  

If you’re interested in being a part of SGA, check out our website.  You can also chat with current SGA members to find out what SGA is like and what we do.

STEM

A.k.a. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  This is a scholarship that people who are interested in STEM fields receive from Bethel.  However, it’s so much more than just a scholarship!  If you get the scholarship, you get to be involved in undergraduate research through the STEM Learning Community, which is something that not a lot of larger universities can offer to many students.  STEM Learning Community students get to work directly with seniors on their Senior Seminars, as well as create posters for the projects.  These experiences are crucial to learning research techniques as well as how to present scientific findings.  Being in this community also means having great opportunities to form close relationships with professors, which can turn into even more opportunities.

If you’re interested in learning more about STEM, talk to any of the professors in the science department.  

Even if you’re not interested in a STEM field, check out what other departments have to offer students as far as scholarships and extracurricular activities.  A lot of departments have opportunities for participation outside of the normal class schedule.

SAA

A.k.a Student Alumni Association.  SAA is a large organization on campus that is involved with all kinds of events ranging from Fall Fest to the Annual Alumni Phonathon to the Mudslam Volleyball Tournament in May.  Through SAA, there are tons of opportunities to give back to the Bethel community, meet and connect with alumni, serve in leadership positions, and even make some money calling alumni!

Professors and coaches nominate students for SAA.  There are lots of people involved in SAA, so if a professor or coach sees that you would be a good fit for the group, then you might just get nominated.

Collegiate Athletics

I’ve dedicated a whole post to this one before.  Being a college athlete, no matter the sport, can offer you a wealth of opportunities.  From learning time management, to helping you stay in shape, to allowing you to meet more people, athletics does it all and more.  I run cross country, and I owe it to the sport for helping me make friends and get involved at Bethel.  

If you’re interested in playing a sport, talk to the coach of that sport or people already on the team.

Shadowing

This is something that is so valuable that is usually done on your own time, outside of the classroom.  Shadowing has been so beneficial for me, because it helps me see what it’s really like to be a doctor and what the dynamic is like inside of a hospital.  No matter what field you’re interested in going into, following someone around who has the job you want can teach you a lot more than just doing a Google search of your future career.

Bethel also offers a grant to students who are willing to sacrifice the time that they could be working and making money to doing an unpaid internship/shadowing position.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the grant, talk to your advisor.  You can also ask them about connections that they might have with alumni or businesses that would love to have a Bethel student come shadow them.

Jobs

Finally, jobs are a great way to get more involved with campus, and make money!  My on-campus jobs include my job within SGA, working both the chemistry and the biology departments, working as a library assistant, and blogging for Bethel (what I’m doing now).  Through these jobs, I have met a lot of great people and formed connections that I’m very thankful for.  I’ve also gained a lot of really valuable skills (and made money!).  

If you’re interested in getting a campus job, check out the campus jobs database here.  Also keep an eye on the emails sent out by Career Services, as they often have on-campus jobs as well as off-campus opportunities for students.  You can also talk directly to professors and other employees at Bethel to see if they could offer you a job in their department.

These are just the things that I am involved in on campus, but there are so many more opportunities out there!  Check out this list of campus organizations to find out more ways to get involved and find what works for you.  Also, if you are wanting to start your own organization, check this out.

“Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

 

Serving together

My favorite tradition as a Bethel College soccer player has been volunteering every November at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) center. The entire team, coaches included, work for several hours together grinding, weighing, canning, cooking and labeling meat.

New players usually dread the thought of assembly line work and food processing. What appears to be tough manual labor, which it technically is at times, turns out to be an incredibly bonding experience for the entire team.

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Teammates vary in their responses to the work. Some are incredibly focused on their job and work at an intense pace, while others work with friends and can be seen smiling and laughing throughout the process.

Whatever method you choose to complete the work, you end up feeling accomplished and satisfied by the end of the shift. It has been an absolutely pivotal team bonding moment for the team before we head into another off-season.

However, the greatest value of this event is not in the benefits of the team. The thousands of pounds of meat canned at MCC are sent to impoverished countries where many people struggle to find meals.

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It is not just the soccer team who is involved with this process. Mennonite organizations provide several workers who travel with this project across the central USA in order to lead groups in food processing missions. Local community members volunteer their time to work shifts before, after and during the time soccer players are present.

Bethel’s emphasis on serving is not limited to donations and internal service projects. Bethel provides opportunities for students to volunteer their time among the community as we together serve one another,  our community, those in need and God.

Until next time-

Eric

What I’ve Learned From Being a Student-Athlete

At a certain point in my senior year of high school, I had decided that I was going to come to Bethel. The strength in the science departments is what drew me most, since I am hoping to go to medical school after graduating from Bethel. However, I was pretty sure that I was NOT going to run cross country at Bethel.

The team (last year).

The team (last year).

My coach was persistent, and not too long after my recruiting visit, I was signing to run in college here at Bethel. Some days, right in the midst of an excruciatingly difficult practice, I question my decision. Overall, though, I am so glad that I decided to be a student-athlete. Here’s why:

  1.  Freshman 15? Don’t have to even worry about it — especially when you’re running what feels like 100 miles a week (not really) and sweating half your body weight out every day. Plus, exercise has been proven to reduce stress (college=stress [but it’s also fantastic and amazing]). I feel a lot better physically and mentally if I exercise, and I know that if practice weren’t built into my schedule, I’d be slacking off big time.
  2. Instant friends. My best friend is also my teammate, and we met on the very first day of preseason camp. One of my other friends came in as a freshman this year, and we also met on the first day of being at college while checking out our XC warmups. Sometimes it’s hard to put yourself out there and force yourself to go talk to new people, but fortunately, sports do all that hard work for you.
  3. Time-management skills. There are so many days when I feel like I’m running out the door to get to breakfast then class on time, running to work, running back to my room to change for practice, running A LOT once I get to practice, and running to make it to evening obligations. Some days I’m so exhausted at the end that I just want to give up on everything. But then I realize that this is my current version of real life. I’m learning how to manage my time and schedule things appropriately and how to sometimes say no to things if they don’t fit my schedule. Finding time to do homework, work, class, extracurriculars and athletics while trying to grasp everything that college life offers is often difficult. The benefits of this type of lifestyle have already become so apparent in my time at Bethel though, and it’s definitely worth every minute.
  4. Scholarship. I would say most people that participate in collegiate athletics get some type of scholarship. And the beauty of being an athlete at Bethel is that you can get an athletic scholarship in addition to scholarships in theater, academics, art, music, forensics, etc. Sometimes a good way to look at doing athletics is like it’s your job. You are getting paid to participate in your sport, so go for it with all your heart and take it seriously.
  5. Long-term benefits. Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I weren’t a student-athlete. Would it be easier? Would I have more free time? The answers to these questions might be yes, but I never ponder them for too long because I see the benefits that running cross country in college has for me now and in the future. When you give your resume to an employer and it shows that you participated in college athletics, that will say a lot about your character, discipline and work ethic. So even when times get tough in your sport, remember what your ultimate goal is, and how athletics will help you reach that goal.
This is what XC looks like. Plz don't judge.

This is what XC looks like. Plz don’t judge.

These are just a few of my musing about athletics here at Bethel. If you play a sport, I would highly encourage giving it a go in college.

-Kiley

Mega Saturday

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Yesterday was, as student event staff manager Brenan Erb calls it, “Mega Saturday.” It’s one of maybe two days each year when the sports schedules align and drop a bomb of competition and chaos on Bethel’s campus.

Yesterday, volleyball played McPherson College, soccer (both men’s and women’s) played York College and football played Bethany College — all at home. That is a lot of activity on the small campus of Bethel College. Wisely, it was also designated as Family Weekend. There were families traveling from all over to come visit their sons and daughters as the season begins to change to fall.

The college planned an outdoor meal on the plaza for lunch, and a tailgating meal for dinner before the football game. Turnout was outstanding and the weather was pristine but Family Weekend of 2015 will be memorable for more than just the sunshine and community.

This was Mega Saturday and a chance to reiterate the turnaround of Bethel’s sports programs. Mega Saturday provided four opportunities for Threshers to win in front of large home crowds. If there was any doubt whether Bethel athletics were moving in the right direction, yesterday put those doubts to rest. Volleyball won, women’s soccer won, men’s soccer won and football won.

What has been at times the exception is quickly becoming the norm in North Newton. Bethel sports are winning and the effect on campus is truly astounding. Support from families, fellow students, faculty and staff creates a community of support and joy in each other’s successes that is like no other.

It is important to mention that the Bethel cheer squad has grown in size and talent again this year. Their halftime performance was a glimpse into the future of what has and will become a cornerstone of Bethel athletics.

There was much to celebrate on Family Weekend and Mega Saturday. Thanks to everyone who did their part by supporting, working and competing for Bethel this past weekend. Days like yesterday are part of the reason why so many of us believe this college is an amazing place to go to school.

Until next time –

Eric

The End of a Tennis Season

This past weekend were the conference tournaments for the men’s and women’s tennis teams. The men played on Friday at Genesis East and the women played on Saturday indoors at Genesis West.

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The women’s tennis team

Unfortunately, neither team made it to nationals but that does not discount the great and successful seasons they had.

The Bethel men played McPherson in the semis of the conference tournament and lost in a heart-wrenching 4-5 dual. That is as close as they come! They all played so well and gave it all they had, and should look back on this dual with feelings of success because they improved this duals score when comparing it to their in-season score against McPherson 2-7. The Bethel men ended up third in their conference.

The women played Ottawa in the semis and dominate 5-0 (in the conference tournament you stop as soon as one team gets five matches). This was a great way to start off the tournament for the women and that took us to the finals with confidence. We then faced McPherson in the finals. Our in season score against them was also 2-7, but we knew there were five matches out there for us to win. Unfortunately, Saturday was not the day for that to happen. The McPherson team played close to flawless in doubles winning all three matches. This meant that we would have to win 5 out of our 6 singles matches. We had a player tied in a three setter, a match two points away from Bethel winning, and one match just beginning when McPherson got their fifth point. Again, I could not be more proud of the women’s team, we gave it our all and unfortunately it just wasn’t enough on Saturday to get us to the National tournament. The Bethel women ended up second in their conference.

We are also saying goodbye to some great seniors: Stephanie Shogren, Clinton Chlumsky, Wesley Goodrich and Kris Dubach. They have all been great players and great supports to our team throughout their four years and we will miss  them greatly.

Look for us this fall as we begin our next season, and my last!

 

 

Tennis at a Glance

Like I mentioned in my previous post, this tennis season has been a unique one. Many matches at the beginning of the year were cancelled due to the bad weather. However, the weather is finally cooperating, our season has finally started picking up,  and today was the first conference match!

So far, the record for the men’s tennis team is 6-0 and the women’s team is 4-2. After the first conference match against Friends both teams are 1-0 in conference! The men defeated friends 7-2 and the women defeated them 9-0.

It is hard to believe that there is only about one more month left of tennis because it feels like it only just started. The remaining matches I have posted below.

April 7: 10:00am @ Ottawa vs. Ottawa University

April 10: 3:00pm @ Salina vs. Kansas Wesleyan University

April 12: 9:00am @ Bethel vs. McPherson College

April 14: 3:00pm @ Bethel vs. Southwestern College

April 17: 3:00pm @ Bethel vs. Tabor College

April 19: 9:00am @ Lindsborg vs. Bethany College

If you are interested in tennis, we would love for you to come out and support the teams!

If you want to see full detailed results on each match, go to the Bethel athletic page at: www.bethelthreshers.com

Late Start to Tennis

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Who needs a weight room when we’ve got snow to shovel?

This tennis season so far has been quite an interesting one. Due to the crazy weather and the lack of indoor facilities nearby, there has not been a lot of time to practice and our first few matches were cancelled. Some of our practices included shoveling snow off the courts so we would be able to practice sooner!

Finally we were able to have our first tennis match of the spring season on Friday for men and women against Baker University!

It was a very successful and chilly day, with the men winning their dual 8 matches to 1, and the girls winning their’s 7 matches to 2. Although our season got off to a late start, we definitely started it on a great note!

This season we also have a lot of home matches and would love to see anyone who is interested come out and support. If you are interested to see our current schedule I will add it below.

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Working hard! We also had a few extra non-tennis workers who volunteered to help!

March 25: 4:00pm @ Bethel vs. Southwestern Christian University (Men)

March 26: 10:00am @ Bethel vs. Oklahoma Baptist

March 28: 4:00pm @ Bethel vs. Evangel University (Women Only)

March 29: 2:30pm @ Bethel vs. Doane University

April 1: 3:00pm @ Bethel vs. Concordia University

April 4: 3:00pm @ Bethel vs. Dallas Baptist University

April 5: 9:00am @ Wichita vs. Friends University

April 7: 3:00pm @ Ottawa vs. Ottawa University

April 10: 3:00pm @ Salina vs. Kansas Wesleyan University

April 12: 9:00am @ Bethel vs. McPherson College

April 14: 3:00pm @ Bethel vs. Southwestern College

April 17: 3:00pm @ Bethel vs. Tabor College

April 19: 9:00am @ Lindsborg vs. Bethany College

 

Fall Break: Where Has The Time Gone?

I titled my last blog “The Days Go Slow, The Weeks Go Fast…” Again, this couldn’t be more accurate. Not only was I thinking this about Fall Break which has only one more day before school starts up again, but also the fact that our first semester of this school year is already half over!

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To recap on this semester so far:

Fun with my mod: Celebrating birthdays, mod movie nights, playing games watching New Girl and Grey’s Anatomy, painting nails and more!

Carnival On The Green: The fun beginning of the school year event with lots of games, foods and prizes! This is where I got three of my Bethel T-shirts, the majority of my plastic dinnerware and my large stash of Kool-Aid Jammers:)

Football/Soccer/Volleyball/Softball Games: Getting to watch and support all of the sports who have games going on in the fall! Also since I am a part of the tennis team we have been helping with the football concession stands which is a lot of work but fun as well!

Tennis Tournaments: We had a few tennis matches this fall even though Tabor_Quad_Photoour actual season isn’t until the spring. It felt like a pretty successful year and we ended it with the ITA which is our regional individual tournament. The individual winners of men’s and women’s singles and doubles get to go to nationals. We had several people in both singles and doubles make it to the quarterfinals and one person make it to the semi’s so it was a very successful tournament!

Taste of Newton: Walking down Main Street there was delicious food, wonderful company, good music and entertainment and more delicious food! (Verenike, bierocks, apple dumplings with ice cream, cherry limeades and more!)

Fall Fest: Chilly weather, friends and family, lots of booths, lots of food including more verenike:), trinkets, photo booth, the play, a volleyball game a football game and more!

 

What to look forward to:

Fall weather: The weather cooling down, sweatshirts and extra blankets

Fall colors: The leaves changing to beautiful oranges, reds and yellows that are worthy of many pictures.

Bethel Basketball: Watching and cheering on our Men’s and Women’s teams this year!

KU Basketball: Every year during KU basketball season I go home to Hesston watch as many of the games as I can with my parents, sister and Weaver uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. I also bring whoever of my friends and modmates want to come as well!

Thanksgiving Break: Another break from school, delicious food and good quality time with my family!

Christmas Break: The biggest break from schoolwork:), family, friends, “Christmas goodies” (chocolates, baked goods), hot chocolate, snow, snowmen, presents, lots of family time!

Interterm: Europe: The Concert Choir gets to go on a trip to Europe including Poland, Germany and the Netherlands! We will be gone for three weeks, singing and sightseeing and I can’t wait!

Top 5 reasons to get excited for Lady Thresher basketball!

This past Monday was the first day of basketball practice. This means our first game will be here before you know it (November 1) and if that’s not reason enough to be excited, here are several others.

Members of the women's basketball team compete in a tire flipping contest.

Members of the women’s basketball team compete in a tractor tire flipping contest. Photo by Coach Gunderson.

1. We’ve been conditioning for over a month, so we’re feeling bigger, faster and stronger! If you doubt that, check out the picture of us flipping tractor tires.

2. This year’s team has a new motto: “All In” and we plan to stick to it until the end of the season. We value each other and know we’ll have to all work together to win in our conference.

3. We’ve been working harder than ever, with a new strength and conditioning coach, Brett Gunderson and a new assistant coach, Eddie Henderson, we’ve been pushed to improve everyday.

4. Our team this year includes several talented freshmen and a few transfers that are great additions. We also have 9 returners from last season, that will provide experience.

5. Not only have we been focusing on conditioning, but we’ve also been growing as a team. Fridays during preseason conditioning were our “competition days” and one time we got to play flag football. We are learning to work together on and off the court and getting to know each other.

Playing flag football during conditioning.

Playing flag football on “competition Friday” during preseason conditioning. Photo by Coach Gunderson.

These are just the top 5 reasons, but there are many more that get me pumped for the upcoming season. As a senior guard, this is my last year playing collegiate basketball and I plan on making it the most memorable and successful one yet.

I love this team and I look forward to finishing my basketball career playing with them and you should be thrilled to watch us come November!

Fall Fest Craziness!!!!!

It’s that time of year, where apparently, everyone at Bethel goes into mass craziness. With me being new to Bethel, this is a new experience that I am excited to see unfold. I have heard from several different sources around campus, that this week is the busiest, and craziest, but also the funnest and will be one of the best out of the year.

Quite the oxymoron there huh?

Of the clubs and organizations that I am involved in on campus, we have spent about a month planning what we are going to do at Fall Fest. If every club and organization has done the same, I’m sure the results are going to be phenomenal! I honestly can’t wait to walk around to various booths to see what others have put together for their display. That is, given I have enough time between my other Fall Fest obligations and responsibilities.

As far as what my most favorite event is, I’m going to have to say the football game. I say that, because I love watching football,and cheering for my team (Which is OBVIOUSLY Bethel) but also because I don’t fully know what to expect or anticipate at Fall Fest. But that’s half of the excitement…..not knowing. So far, every other Bethel tradition that I have experienced, has been absolutely wonderful, and I am looking forward to Fall Fest….craziness included!