OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Welcome Center
800.826.2281 x 8113
785.227.3380 x 8113
admissions@bethanylb.edu
The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES COURTNEY STRAUSS AS HEAD WRESTLING COACH
Apr 08, 2019
LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Bethany College Department of Athletics announces the hiring of Courtney Strauss ’15 as the head of the Swedes wrestling program.
Strauss was previously the interim head coach for the Swedes during the 2018-19 season.
“Coach Strauss is a successful alumnus of Bethany College who loves God and who loves people,” Bethany College President, Will Jones said. “He has done great work with our wrestling team this year. With his leadership and hard work, I am confident our wrestling program will achieve conference and national recognition in the years to come.”
Strauss has been a part of the Bethany wrestling program as a coach since the fall of 2015. Throughout this time he has helped to lead practices, recruiting efforts, as well as aiding the student-athletes’ efforts in the classroom. He has also coached 16 national qualifiers in his time at Bethany.
Outside of his time at Bethany, Strauss has also helped with numerous camps and tournaments.
During his time as a Swede wrestler, Strauss was a three-time NAIA National Tournament Qualifier from the years 2012-2014 and earned NAIA Academic All-American honors in 2012. In addition to this, Strauss was named the NAIA National Wrestling Champion of Character in 2015. Strauss is also the career record holder in the wins category with 99, as well as keeping the career pins record with 50
“First off, I would like to thank President Will Jones and Athletics Director Laura Moreno for giving me this opportunity. It truly is a blessing to be given this title and role at Bethany College,” Strauss said. “I have been a part of the Bethany College wrestling team since the beginning of the program in 2011 as a competitor and now as a Coach. I am excited to continue being a positive influence to these young men.”
Strauss graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education K-12 from Bethany College in December 2015. During this time, Strauss accumulated at 3.3 grade point average.
“We are very excited to have Courtney Strauss lead Bethany College Wrestling,” Interim Athletics Director Laura Moreno stated. “Courtney is a proven leader who has the right skill set to both grow our wrestling program and build on its most recent success.”
– #RockarStockar –
Strauss was previously the interim head coach for the Swedes during the 2018-19 season.
“Coach Strauss is a successful alumnus of Bethany College who loves God and who loves people,” Bethany College President, Will Jones said. “He has done great work with our wrestling team this year. With his leadership and hard work, I am confident our wrestling program will achieve conference and national recognition in the years to come.”
Strauss has been a part of the Bethany wrestling program as a coach since the fall of 2015. Throughout this time he has helped to lead practices, recruiting efforts, as well as aiding the student-athletes’ efforts in the classroom. He has also coached 16 national qualifiers in his time at Bethany.
Outside of his time at Bethany, Strauss has also helped with numerous camps and tournaments.
During his time as a Swede wrestler, Strauss was a three-time NAIA National Tournament Qualifier from the years 2012-2014 and earned NAIA Academic All-American honors in 2012. In addition to this, Strauss was named the NAIA National Wrestling Champion of Character in 2015. Strauss is also the career record holder in the wins category with 99, as well as keeping the career pins record with 50
“First off, I would like to thank President Will Jones and Athletics Director Laura Moreno for giving me this opportunity. It truly is a blessing to be given this title and role at Bethany College,” Strauss said. “I have been a part of the Bethany College wrestling team since the beginning of the program in 2011 as a competitor and now as a Coach. I am excited to continue being a positive influence to these young men.”
Strauss graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education K-12 from Bethany College in December 2015. During this time, Strauss accumulated at 3.3 grade point average.
“We are very excited to have Courtney Strauss lead Bethany College Wrestling,” Interim Athletics Director Laura Moreno stated. “Courtney is a proven leader who has the right skill set to both grow our wrestling program and build on its most recent success.”
– #RockarStockar –
Bethany College conferred degrees upon 99 students in Presser Hall Auditorium on April 27, 2024. The ceremony honored students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education from the college during the 2023-2024 academic year. Summer, fall, and spring graduates were honored during a Baccalaureate worship service at 10:30 a.m. in Presser Hall, followed by Commencement at 2 p.m. Campus Pastor Melissa Woeppel led the Baccalaureate Service, and Rev. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Co llege and Universities (NECU). Gracelyn Gaskill '24, a chemistry and music major from Lindsborg, Kansas, provided special music for Commencement. Senior class speakers Inioluwa "Enoch" Ojo '24, a biology major from Katy, Texas, and Benjamin "Ben" Turner '24, a History and Political Science Major from Peyton, Colorado, gave thoughtful remarks on their time at Bethany College, taking time to thank their friends, faculty, and coaches. Dr. Brent Mai '85, Dean of University Libraries at Wichita State University, gave the commencement address, encouraging this year's graduates to go out into the world and exercise the four tenets of stoicism: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
Interim President Steve Eckman commended the efforts of the faculty and staff in securing the grant, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the McPherson County Community Foundation for their incredible generosity. This grant will benefit our students and enrich the educational experiences available in the Smoky Valley community."
The newly appointed Presidential Search Committee will commence their work immediately, aiming to recommend a candidate for Bethany College's 16th president to the board by the April 2025 board meeting.