Janice Esses has led the Bethany College Softball program since 2002. In three years, she directed the Swedes to a regular season conference championship, a conference tournament championship, and an appearance in the NAIA Region IV tournament.

Coach Esses earned her bachelors degree in biology at Bethany College. She enjoyed a successful playing career while at Bethany. She was a two-sport athlete, competing in basketball and softball. As a collegiate softball player, she was a two time All-Conference catcher for the Swedes. She also was named team MVP by her teammates.

Esses graduated from Bethany in 2001. She went on to graduate school at Wichita State University where she planned to pursue a career in physical therapy before having the opportunity to return to Bethany as an assistant coach.

She began her coaching career at Bethany College. During her first season as head coach the Swedes struggled to a 9-29 record with a squad of 12 women. However, the team did reach the final four in the conference tournament. In 2003, the Swedes had a turnaround year, finishing at the top of their conference with a 10-4 conference record (19-22 overall).

Esses is excited about Swede softball, and she has high expectations for the upcoming season. She is a competitor who deeply cares for her players. The greatest joy for her is watching her players grow and develop each day.

Assistant Coach:
Tyson Weisshar is a senior Bethany College student from Burlington, Colo. He played football for the Swedes for two years and served as a student assistant football coach for one year.
During the summers Weisshaar is a softball umpire in Burlington. He has seven years baseball coaching experience, coaching middle- and high-school-age boys.
This is Weisshaar's second year as assistant coach for the Swedes softball program. He coaches the outfield and also helps with the infield and catchers. Coach Esses said Weisshaar has been a great asset to the program.

Student Assistants:  

Elizabeth Craig will serve as a student assistant for the Swedes this season. After suffering an injury to her throwing arm during her freshman year, Craig made the difficult decision to end her softball career. Craig is a triple major, working toward degrees in accounting, management and finance. She is president of Bethany’s business club.

Sunni Gladden returns to the Swedes softball program as a student assistant after suffering a career-ending knee injury. Gladden is a junior from Coldspring, TX.