After nine years at Bethel College, the last six of them as athletic director, Tony Hoops has resigned to take a position as vice president of athletics at Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa.

“It is with great sorrow and deep appreciation to the entire Bethel community that I announce my resignation,” Hoops said. “Bethel has transformed my life as a student, athlete, coach and athletic director.

Bethel’s spring semester enrollment, and in particular the retention percentage, showed numbers worth celebrating, especially in a pandemic.

Enrollment numbers become official on the 20th day of classes, which was Feb. 8 for spring 2022.

The report showed an official count of 449, the second highest spring number in a decade.

Equally important: the retention rate for all students is 93.2% (fall 2021 to spring 2022), and 89.9% for first-time freshmen, both of which are above average overall.

The Bethel board's approval of a major addition to the Thresher Sports Complex begins the public phase of a capital campaign to build a football locker room after nearly four years of “quiet” work by athletics and advancement staff.

The facility will also have features that serve each of the 19 varsity sports in which Bethel competes.

The current locker room, in the basement of Goering Hall on the north side of campus, has been subject to flooding and water damage from groundwater seepage – “three times over the past four years,” said Tony Hoops, athletic director.

Tony Hoops has been named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year for 2020-21, and will be formally recognized by the conference later this summer.

“I’m extremely humbled and honored to receive this award, voted upon by the amazing network of athletic directors we have within the KCAC,” said Hoops.

“This year was challenging for us all, so I’m extremely grateful for all of their support and dedication to the conference this year.”

Bethel President Jon Gering, Ph.D., spoke to Hoops’ deep commitment to the college.