Bethany Lutheran to add cross country in 2009
9/12/2008 10:42:08 AM
By Melissa Young
MANKATO, Minn. (Sept. 11, 2008) -- On Monday, September 8, senior administration at Bethany Lutheran College approved an athletic department proposal to elevate the current Norseman Running club cross country program to varsity status starting in the fall of 2009.
This elevation is an acknowledgment of all the hard work, determination and interest that the students have put in to the club program for the past two years. Athletic Director, Karl Fager, said “This process started over two years ago with the interest and dedication of former student Mike Willitz and has steadily grown to the point were I feel very comfortable about our ability to compete at a top level in our conference. We will be focusing on the great base of local recruits to continue building the cross country program.”
Bethany Lutheran College competes in the eight-member Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and is the final member to add men’s and women’s cross country as varsity sport. This addition raises the total compliment of varsity sports at Bethany to thirteen. Bethany Lutheran College and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference are members of the NCAA Division III. The search for a head coach for the start-up program will begin immediately.