Bethel College Athletic Hall of Fame

Billy Nelson
Billy attended Bethel from 1970-1974 and was very intense as a guard on the basketball team. Billy is considered the best golfer in Bethel’s history and he claims the college golf record for the lowest season and career average. Since Bethel days he has won the Mishawaka City Golf Championship nine times, including the last four years (‘91, ‘92, ‘93, and ‘94). He is also the 1994 St. Joseph County Champion.

Bob Long
Bob was a key person in a very important phase of the athletic program at Bethel College. He ushered in the basketball excitement with the opening of Goodman Auditorium. He is remembered well for his enthusiasm, encouragement, and counsel. Coached from 1959-1963. Bob had a heart for athletics and knew what his coaching could do for young people. He was a good role model.

Dick Patterson
A 1974 Bethel College graduate, and the outstanding baseball coach at Bethel College from 1974-1994. His records and honors include:
• 18 winning seasons
• Over 500 wins in his career
• 10 NCCAA District Titles
• 2 NCCAA National Championships
• 10 NCCAA District Coach of the Year honors
• NAIA District Coach of the Year, 1986
• Area Coach of the Year, 1986
• 1986 finalist - NAIA National Coach of the Year
• Trained 19 All-Americans
• 3 Major League players drafted
• A trail blazer in integrating athletics and missions taking teams to the Dominican Republic, France and to an Indian reservation.

Jack Edison
A 1967 Bethel College graduate. His honors include:
• 3 year letterman in basketball
• 3 year letterman in baseball
• 2 year letterman in cross country
• MVP for the basketball team, 1966
• Gold award – best student athlete, 1967
• Bethel Alumnus of the Year, 1982
• Bethel All-American, 1982
Jack is considered the best guard of his era at Bethel, and held school records for assists in a game and in the season. He was a great role model and leader. As Plymouth Varsity head coach his honors include:
• 4 conference championships
• 9 sectional championships
• 3 regional championships
• 1 semi-state championship
• 1 state championship, 1982

Mike Lightfoot
A 1978 graduate from Bethel College, three year letterman in basketball, athletic director and basketball coach for 7 years. His honors include:
• 3 Mid-Central Conference crowns,
• 6 NCCAA District Titles,
• 2 NCCAA National Championships,
• 1st appearance in NAIA National Tournament,
• 3 times named NCCAA National Coach of the Year,
• 6 times named District Coach of the Year,
• 3 times named Mid-Central Conference Coach of the Year.
He was a leader in integrating Christian faith with athletics. He has been using basketball as a tool for an overseas missions outreach. Teams have gone to Monterrey Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. In 7 years of coaching his record is 197 wins and 63 losses for a winning percentage of 75.8%.

Jody Martinez
A 1990 Bethel graduate. He is considered the outstanding basketball player in Bethel’s history. His jersey was retired in 1991. His records include:
• 1st in rebounds – 1,728
• 1st in points – 2,620
• 1st in field goal % - 59,8%
• 4th in free throw % - 81.0%
• 6th in assists – 462
His honors include:
• 3 time NAIA All-District honorable mention
• 3 time NAIA All-American
• 2 time NAIA Academic All-American
• 3 time Bethel Classic All-Tournament Team
• 3 time All Mid-Central Conference
• 3 time NCCAA All-American
Jody played on 2 task force teams overseas to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He was an assistant coach on Bethel’s ’92 and ’93 NCCAA national championship teams.

Dean Weirich
A 1976 honor student graduate committed to the game of basketball. He set a single season record of 665 points and a game average of 229 points, hitting 49.5% from the floor. His honors include:
• Twice named Bethel’s MVP
• NCCAA All-American, 1976
• 2nd Team honors, 1976
• NAIA All-District honors, 1976
• Considered the best shooter to have played at Bethel College

Karen (Prochno) Brenneman
Graduated from Bethel College in 1981. Karen was the first woman to receive a Bethel athletic scholarship. During her four years at Bethel she lettered in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was co-captain of the volleyball team in 1979 and Captain in 1980. She helped lead Bethel volleyball to its first winning season in 1978, its first invitation to a national tournament in 1979, and a 2nd place finish at the Messiah-NCCAA National Invitational Tournament in 1980.

Roberto Smith
Receiving the most valuable player award for four years, Roberto is considered to be the best soccer player to have attended Bethel College. His awards include:
• NCCAA All-District, 1973-74
• NAIA and NCCAA All-District Team, 1974-75
• NAIA All-District Team, 1975-76
• NAIA All-District. 1976-77
• 2nd Team All-State
• Top ten scorer in the state, 1973-77
His skills have continued after graduation.

Deb (Sousley) Oke
Deb joined the Bethel College volleyball program in 1980 as a setter and an outside hitter. She led the 1981 team to the first district championship. She was a member of the 1981 NCCAA All-District Team. She has served as an assistant to the Bethel volleyball program since 1991. During her coaching tenure 2 NCCAA national championships were won.

Steve Brown
Steve’s honors include:
• Ron Paulsen award recipient, 1978
• NCCAA 1st team All-District, 1979
• NAIA 1st team All-District, 1979
• NCCAA All-American Team, 1979
• 1977-79 leading scorer
• Scored 695 points (single season record), 1979
• Third all time leading scorer with 1,659 points 

Aaron Carpenter
Aaron’s honors include:
• NCCAA All-District Team, 1980, ’81, ‘82
• NAIA All-District Team, 1980, ’81, ‘82
• NAIA All-Area Team, 1980, ‘82
• NCCAA All-American team, 1980
• NCCAA All-American team

Andrew Carpenter
Andrew’s honors include:
• NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, 1982
• NAIA All-District, 1979, ’81, ‘82
• NCCAA All-American, 1981
• NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American, 1982
• NCCAA All-District, 1979, ’81, ‘82
• NCCAA All-Midwest, 1981, ‘82
• MCC All-Conference, 1981, ‘82
• Indiana Collegiate All-Star Team, 1982
• Co-Captain, 1982-83

Lori (Wulliman) Spellman
Lori’s honors include:
• Ron Paulsen award recipient, 1981
• NCCAA All-District, 1981
• All-Tournament Team, Messiah College, 1980
• Co-Captain of the volleyball team, 1980
• Captain of the volleyball team, 1981
• Member of the Bethel College volleyball, basketball, and softball teams

Dave Franklin
Dave’s honors include:
• Ron Paulsen award recipient, 1974
• Bethel College Outstanding Athlete, 1973-74
• Most Valuable Player, Bethel College baseball, 1973-74
• Bethel College Defensive award, soccer, 1974-75

Homer Drew
Coach Drew came to Bethel in 1976 and established the Pilots as one of the premier small-college basketball programs in the Mid-West. In 11 seasons he won 252 games against 110 losses. Coach Drew’s honors include:
• NCCAA National Coach of the Year, 1980
• 6 time NCCAA District Coach of the Year
• Led the Pilots to the NCCAA National Championship game, 1981
• 7 NCCAA District titles
• Eight 20-win seasons
• Four 25-win seasons
Coach Drew also served as athletic director and professor. He became the head coach at Valparaiso University where he guided the crusaders to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1998.

Kerry (Gardner) Sasser
Kerry was a foundational athlete for Bethel’s Women’s athletic programs. Her honors include:
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 1982
• Earned 12 letters for the Lady Pilots as a 4 year letter winner in volleyball, basketball, and softball
• Member of the first volleyball team to win a NCCAA District Tournament, 1981
• Set school basketball records in assists, steals, and rebounds
• Held an individual record for most rebounds in one game with 20 during the 1978-79 season

Doug Snyder
Doug’s honors include:
• Starred for the men’s basketball and soccer teams before graduating in 1981
• NCCAA All-American soccer player, 1980
• NCCAA and NAIA All-District soccer player in the 1980-81 season
• NCCAA All-District honors in basketball, 1980, ‘81
• Named to the Pilot Invitational All-Tournament Team twice, 1979, ‘80
• Grace Turkey Classic All-Tournament Team, 1979
• Started on the Pilots 1981 NCCAA National Runner-Up Basketball Team
• National All-Tournament Team in basketball, 1981

Dick Armington
Dick graduated from Bethel in 1980. He starred on the men’s basketball team. His honors include:
• When he graduated he had the all-time record with 554 assists
• He was the first player in the history of Bethel basketball to go over 1000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists
• He had the all-time career games played with 127
• His 1279 points and 668 rebounds was 7th on the all-time career records
• Co-Captain during the 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons
• NCCAA honorable mention All-American, 1979-80
• NCCAA All-District Team in 1978-79, and 1979-80
• Bethel Classic All-Tournament Team in 1976-77, and 1978-79
• His team won the NCCAA District III Championship in 1977-78, 1978-79, and 1979-80
• His team won the NCCAA Regional Championship in 1978-79, and finished in the final six of the NCCAA Nationals

Tom Firestone
Coach Firestone came to Bethel College in 1971 and took over the men’s basketball program that had been losing for several years. In five years he was able to develop a successful and respectable basketball program. His accomplishments as a coach include:
• His five year record was 76 wins and 62 losses
• His teams made the NCCAA post season playoffs in four of the five seasons
• His teams made the NAIA post season playoffs in three of the five seasons
• His 1973-74 team were NCCAA District III Champions and won 20 games that season
• He won 3 Bethel College Pilot Invitationals
• He won 1 Florida Invitational
• He was named the NCCAA District III Coach of the Year during the 1973-74, and 1974-75 seasons

Elizabeth “Liz” Hossler
Liz started coaching at Bethel in 1976. She helped lay the foundation of women’s athletics during her coaching seasons. She was the head coach for volleyball, basketball, and softball for five years. In 1981-82 she continued to coach volleyball and softball. She coached volleyball for 14 years, softball for 9 years, and basketball for 5 years. Her accomplishments as a coach include:
• NCCAA District Coach of the Year in volleyball in 1981, ‘85
• She was the first coach to take the volleyball team to a national tournament in 1979
• Her volleyball team finished National Runners-Up in 1980
• Her 1981 volleyball team won the first NCCAA District Championship in school’s history
• Her 1989 volleyball team again won the NCCAA District Championship and placed 4th in the National Tournament
• She was the first coach to take a women’s athletic team on a mission’s trip to Brazil in the summer of 1991

Debbie (Hesch) Shively
Debbie’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1992 with a degree in Secondary Education
• Jersey #12 retired in 1991
• Starred on the volleyball team for 4 years, 1988-91
• Two-time NCCAA All-American, 1989, ‘90
• Ron Paulsen award recipient, 1990
• MCC 1st team All-Conference, 1989, ’90, ‘91
• NCCAA 1st Team All-District, 1989, ’90, ‘91
• NAIA 1st Team All-District, 1991
• Considered one of the best volleyball players in school’s history

S. Ivan Lopes
Ivan’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1982 with a degree in Psychology
• Master degree in Guidance Counseling
• NCCAA All-American, 1980
• Played soccer for 3 years
• Considered one of the best soccer players in school’s history
• Pastor of Free Will Baptist Church in Sapulpa, Oklahoma
• Professional Counselor in substance abuse and domestic violence
• Author of one book and five video tapes on substance abuse

Don Zawlocki
Don’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1982 with a degree in History Education
• Master Degree in Education
• Played basketball for 4 years
• Member of the 1980-81 NCCAA National Runner-Up Team
• NCCAA All-American, 1982
• NCCAA All-Tournament Team, 1981
• NAIA All-District Team, 1982
• MCC All-Conference Team, 1982
• Team Captain for the 1981-82 season

David G. Slater
b.1961 - d.2001
“The Heart and the Voice of the Pilots”
Dave came to Bethel College as a student in 1980 from Flint Academy, Flint, Michigan. He was an Eagle Scout, National Honor Society President, football player, and MVP of his baseball team at Flint Academy. A student manager, he was soon a mainstay of Pilot athletics. He kept scorebooks and statistics, wrote press releases and media guides, and became sports information director. He was also a writer for the South Bend Tribune and other publications. He was a peerless announcer for basketball, volleyball, baseball, and soccer. He served as resident director of Ramsayer Hall (1992-93) and Oakwood Hall (1993-2001). He was a mentor to countless young men, encourager of coaches and players, faithful friend, raconteur, and a thoughtful, literate, compassionate man of prayer. Dave was present at more Bethel College athletic events over the past two decades (1980-2001) than any other person-keeping score, announcing, analyzing, cheering, and praying.

Dave Troyer
Dave’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1993 with a degree in Secondary Education
• Master’s Degree in 2002 in Administration
• MCC Player of the Year in 1992
• MCC 1st Team All-Conference, 1990, ’91, ‘92
• Team MVP, 1991, ‘92
• Member of the 1992 NCCAA National Championship Team
• NCCAA National Tournament MVP, 1992
• NCCAA All-American, 1992
• Team Captain, 1991, ‘92
• Considered to be the most dominating scorer in Bethel College History
His records include:
• Member of the 1,000 point club, (2,084 – 8th place)
• 2nd in single season scoring – 894 (1991-92 season)
• 6th in career rebounding – 1,098
• 6th in career field goal % - 57.2%
• 7th in career steals – 208

Brian Bechtel
Brian’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1994 with a degree in Secondary Education
• Member of the 1992 & 1993 NCCAA National Championship Teams
• Member of the 1st NAIA National Tournament Team, 1994
• Winner of the Pete Maravich Award (NCCAA National Player of the Year), 1994
• NCCAA All-American, 1993, ‘94
• Team MVP, 1993, ‘94
• Team Captain, 1993, ‘94
• MCC 1st Team All-Conference, 1993, ‘94
• All-North Central Region Team, 1992, ’93, ‘94
• One of the best true point guards in Bethel College history
His records include:
• Member of the 1,000 point club – 1,478
• 2nd in career 3-pointers – 299 of 708
• 3rd in career assists – 714
• 3rd in career 3-point % - 42.2%

Lisa Edison
Lisa’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1994 with a degree in Elementary Education
• Ron Paulsen award recipient, 1993
• Team Captain, 1992, ‘93
• NAIA Academic All-American, 1992, ‘93
• MCC 1st Team All-Conference, 1992, ‘93
• Team MVP, 1992, ‘93
• Held many records when she graduated
• Considered to be the Pioneer of Women’s Tennis
• 1st female tennis player in Bethel College history

Jerome Calderone
Jerome’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1987 with a BA in Business Education
• Considered one of the best point guards in basketball history
• NCCAA 1st Team All-American, 1987
• NCCAA Nationals All-Tournament Team, 1987
• Team MVP, 1987
• NAIA All-District 21 Team, 1985, ’86, ‘87
• MCC All-Conference Team, 1985, ’86, ‘87
• NCCAA All-District Team, 1985, ’86, ‘87
Upon graduation his records included:
• 1st in career assists – 1,027
• 1st in single season assists – 322
• 1st in single season free-throw % - 89.6%
• 4th in career scoring – 2, 227
• He was also 1st in career steals, career games played, career 3-pointers made, single season 3-pointers made, single season scoring

Kevin Fulton
Kevin’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1978 with a BA in Business Administration
• Will always be remembered for his sweeping hook shot
• NCCAA 1st Team All-American, 1978
• NCCAA District III All-Tournament Team, 1977, ‘78
• NCCAA All-District Team, 1978
• NAIA All-District 21 Team, 1978
Upon graduation his records included:
• Set a school record and a NCCAA National record by hitting 70.4% from the floor during the 1976-77 season
• He was 1st in single season blocked shots, 1st in career blocked shots, 1st in career field goal % - 57.6%, 1st in single season field goal % - 70.4%.
• In 1977, set 3 national records in the NCCAA: field goal % in a season – 70.4%, field goal % in one game – 100%, and block shots in one game – 7

Randy Glingle
Randy’s honors include:
• Graduated in 1973 with a BA in Physical Education and History
• Considered one of the best rebounders in basketball history
• Team MVP, 1973
• Leading scorer and rebounder, 1970, ‘71
His records include:
• 2nd in career rebounds – 1,317
• 3rd in single season rebounding – 371 (1970) (currently 9th)
• 3rd in career scoring – 1,539 (currently 17th)

Mark Galloway
Mark Galloway graduated in 1996 with a BA degree in Physical Education (K-12). Mark was a four-year letter winner in basketball and is considered one of the best shooting guards in Bethel College Basketball history. He was a first team NAIA All-American during his senior year. He was also named the MVP in the 1995 NAIA National Tournament. Mark was a 2-time NCCAA All-American (’93 & ’95). Mark was also a 2-time Mid-Central Conference 1st Team Player. He was a member of the two NCCAA National Championship Teams (’92, ’93). When Mark graduated, he was the all-time leading scorer with 2,622 points (currently 2nd). Mark is married to Dawn and has two sons: Zachary (9) and Trey (2). Mark is currently the head boy’s basketball coach and a physical education teacher at Carmel High School (IN). He and his family attend the Hazel Dell Christian Church.

Jennifer Mumaw
Jennifer (Howell) Mumaw graduated in 1996 with a BA degree in Psychology. Jennifer graduated as a “Magna Cum Laude” and received the award for “Outstanding Senior Psychology Major”. Jennifer was a four-year letter winner in softball and will always be remembered for having her uniform number retired (#5). Currently, Jennifer still holds many softball records: 1st in season (81) and career (251) hits; 1st in runs scored in a season (72) and career (200); 1st in stolen bases in a season (40) and career (115); 1st in games played in a season (55); and 1st in defensive assists in a career (424). She was an NAIA All-American, NFCA All-American, 2-time NCCAA All-American, 2-time NAIAL & NCCAA Academic All-American, and a 4-time Mid-Central Conference 1st Team Player. Jennifer is married to Jason and has one son: Carson Joseph (1 _). Jennifer and her family attend Cedar Road Missionary Church.

Julia Reininga
Julia Reininga graduated in 1997 with a BA degree in Recreation Administration. Julia was a four-year letter winner in volleyball and was awarded the Ron D. Paulsen Award her senior (’96). Julia had her uniform number retired (# 7). She was a 1st team NAIA All-American, 2-time NCCAA All-American, 2-time NCCAA All-District Player of the Year, 3-time NCCAA National All-Tournament Team, 3-time NAIA All-Region, and a 4-time Mid-Central Conference 1st team player. She was a member on the 2-time NCCAA National Championship Teams (’93 & ’94). Julia is currently the head volleyball coach and a physical education teacher at Bethel College. She is in her 5th season as a head coach and served three seasons as an assistant coach. She played professional volleyball after her graduation: 4 years in the Midwest Professional Volleyball Association and 7 years in the USVA (United States Volleyball Association). Julia attends Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Karl Black
Karl Black graduated in 1995 with a BA degree in Liberal Studies. Karl was a four-year letter winner in soccer and is considered one of the best defenders in Bethel College Soccer history. He was a first team NCCAA All-American during his senior year in 1991. He was also named team captain for three years. Karl was a 2-time All-Mid-Central Conference 1st Team Player (’90, ’91). He was also named to the 1989 NCCAA All-Regional Team. Karl is married to Danielle and has three sons: Braden (4), Kole (2) and Owen (1 month). Karl and his family attend St. Mark Missionary Church where he serves as the youth pastor.

Jack Carpenter
Jack Carpenter graduated in 1986 with a BA degree in Elementary Education. Jack received his Master’s degree in 1994 in Elementary Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Jack was a four-year letter winner in basketball and golf. Jack is considered one of the top long range shooters in Bethel College Basketball history. Currently, Jack still remains in the basketball record books: 5th in career free-throw % (83.9); 7th in single season free throw % (87.3% in ’83-’84); 10th in career field goal % (55.5%); and 22nd in career scoring (1,463 points). Jack’s other basketball accomplishments were: an All-American (HM) in the NCCAA in 1984, 2-time NCCAA All-District (’83, ’84), Mid-Central Conference 1st Team (’84) and 2-time All-NAIA District Team – HM (’84, ’85). In golf, Jack was a 2-time Mid-Central Conference 1st Team (’83, 84), NAIA All-District (’83), and NCCAA All-District (’83). Jack is married to Lisa and has two sons: Griffyn (12); Quentyn (11) and one daughter: Lindsey (11). Jack is currently an elementary teacher and coach in the Triton School Corporation. Jack and his family attend Warsaw Community Church.

Nicole Matunas
Nicole Matunas graduated in 1996 with a BA degree in Secondary English Education. Nicole received her Master’s degree in Education at Lee University in 1999 with honors. Nicole was a four-year letter winner in softball and basketball. Her softball accomplishments were: 1st team NCCAA All-American in 1996 as a catcher, member of the 1995 NCCAA National Champions, 1st team on the NCCAA All-Tournament Team in 1995, 3-time Mid-Central Conference Team (’93, ’95, ’96), 3-time NCCAA All-Region Team (’93, ’95, ’96), 2-time NAIA All-District (’95, ’96), and played professionally for Georgia Pride in 1997. Upon graduation, “Nikki” broke some basketball records: career assists with 469 (2nd), games played with 126 (8th), and single season assists with 150 (4th). Nicole is currently the head softball coach and a teacher at Cleveland City Schools in Tennessee and attends Mt. Olive Church of God.

Lorne Oke
Lorne Oke graduated in 1986 with a BA Degree in Secondary Education in Physical Education and Math Education. Lorne received his Master’s Degree from Indiana University in 1991 in Secondary Education. He completed his Doctorate Degree (Eh.D.) in Instructional Systems Technology in 2003 at Indiana University. Lorne was the head women’s volleyball coach for eight years, which included winning three National Championships in the NCCAA in 1992, 1993, and 1998. His overall coaching record was 240-94 with his two best seasons coming in 1996 and 1998 with a record of 46-4. He also coached the 1998 team to the first (in school’s history) visit to the NAIA National Tournament by winning a five-state regional. Lorne was a 3-time NCCAA National Coach of the Year, Mid-Central Conference Coach of the Year, and has coached four NAIA All-Americans and 10 NCCAA All-Americans. Lorne is married to Debbie (Sousley) and they have four children: Katie (17), Kristie (15), Emily (12), and Connor (8). Lorne is an Assistant Vice-President and an Associate Professor of Education at Bethel College. Lorne and his family attend St. Mark Missionary Church.

Drew Peterson
Drew Peterson graduated in 1991 with a BA Degree in Elementary Education. Drew received his Master of Ministries Degree in 1996 at Bethel College. Drew was the head softball coach for ten years, which included winning the NCCAA National Championship in 1995. His overall coaching record was 279-150-2 with his best season coming in 1995 with 45 wins. Drew also led his 2000 softball team to its highest NAIA ranking in school’s history (12th). Drew was a 7-time Mid-Central Conference Coach of the Year, 4-time NCCAA Region 4 Coach of the Year, 2-time NAIA Region 21 Coach of the Year, and the 1995 NCCAA National Coach of the Year. His teams won the Mid-Central Conference 6 times out of his 10 seasons. He has coached 4-NAIA All-Americans and 13-NCCAA All-Americans. Drew is married to Jennifer (Miller) and they have four sons: John (11), Josh (9), Noah (6), and Benjamin (1). Drew is currently the head softball coach at Campbell University (NCAA Division I) located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Drew and his family attend Grace Community Church.

Seth Zartman
Seth Zartman graduated in 1998 with a BA Degree in Business Administration. Seth received his Master’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Science at Murray State University in 2001. Seth was a four-year letter winner and three-year captain in baseball. His baseball accomplishments were: 1st team NCCAA All-American in 1996, 1997, and 1998; 1st team on the NCCAA All-Tournament Team in 1997, 3-time Mid-Central Conference Team (’96, ’97, ’98), 3-time NCCAA All-Region Team (’96, ’97, ’98), and 3-time NAIA All-Region (’96, ’97, ‘98). Upon graduation, Seth held many career records: Home Runs (37); Doubles (61); RBIs (181); Slugging Percentage (.625); and Putouts (1,037). Some single season records Seth held upon graduation: Putouts (414) and RBIs (57). Seth is married to Anitra (Pottenger) and they have one daughter: Senica (2). Seth is currently the head baseball coach and facilities manager at Bethel College. Seth and his family attend Grace Church.
The purpose of the Bethel College Athletic Hall of Fame is to give special recognition to former Bethel College players/coaches who have excelled in their respective sport. Emphasis upon Christian values, moral character, and personal integrity is primary in the selection process. Also, an individual may be selected for meritorious service based upon his or her contribution to the athletic program and to Bethel College.