Dear Go Swedes Member:

Goals:

Uniting the older and younger alumni and friends of Bethany Athletics into a team  Enhance awareness: Bonding of the alumni-athletes, rekindle the fire and passion of Bethany student athletics. Enhance Communication: Keeping our alumni involved and informed of the status of Bethany athletics. Supporting the operating budget: Financially supporting specific sports and general athletic budgets through the general fund. Reduce the chances of more athletic department budget cuts and/or reduction of sports. Advancing Bethany Athletics: Provide an opportunity for alumni-athletes, family  members and friends to financially support the giving stream of the Bethany Athletic Association.

The creation of the Bethany Athletic Association was initiated in 2004 under the direction of President Paul Formo who required an in-depth feasibility study to be conducted to determine whether former athletes, friends, family members of those athletes along with supporters of athletics would be willing to support athletic programs at Bethany and continue to support Bethany College, as a whole.

A 17-question survey was developed and distributed to former student-athletes encompassing all 15 intercollegiate sports with a span of years ranging from 1936 through 2003. Six well-respected advisers with exceptional loyalty and understanding of the needs of Bethany were also surveyed. The results were outstanding and convincing with over 95 percent indicating some phase of support. What is even more impressive is that 100 percent of the surveys were returned. In February 2005 the President and Bethany's Board of Directors approved the development of the Bethany Athletic Association.

Thank you for your willingness to continue the legacy of Bethany Athletics. Your investment helps to provide a significant number of young men and women the opportunity to receive a meaningful experience through their involvement in athletics, which in my opinion, is one of the best classrooms available in preparing our student-athletes for the hills and valleys of life.

I assure you that your prayers and support are needed and deeply appreciated in order for our student-athletes to be competitive in the KCAC conference and have the opportunity to reach their goals for excellence.

Take Care and God Bless.

Dr. Ted K. Kessinger, Coordinator
Bethany Athletic Association

For more information or to become a Go Swedes Member, contact Ted Kessinger.