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MITCH HOUGHTON TABBED AS HEAD WRESTLING COACH
May 26, 2021
LINDSBORG - The Bethany College Department of Athletics and Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno are pleased to announce Mitch Houghton as the new Head Wrestling Coach. Houghton will begin his duties at Bethany College on June 1 and takes over for KCAC Co-Coach of the Year Courtney Strauss who stepped down earlier this month to pursue other career opportunities. "We want to thank Coach Strauss for his leadership of Swedes Wrestling and his service to Bethany College over the last three seasons as our Head Coach" said Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno.
"We are very excited to welcome Coach Mitch Houghton as our Head Wrestling Coach. Coach Houghton not only brings a competitive mindset and disciplined structure, but also understands the importance of prioritizing academics, recruitment, retention, culture, and community involvement. Coach Houghton is an overall great fit for Bethany College and the Lindsborg Community, and we look forward to seeing him direct Swedes Wrestling.'' added Moreno.
Coach Houghton comes to Bethany College after serving the last three years as the Head Coach at Colby Community College. While at Colby Coach Houghton directed the Trojans to the 2019-2020 KJCCC West Championship. Coach Houghton also saw twelve of his grapplers become West Central District Placers while seventeen Trojans were NJCAA National Qualifiers under his leadership.
Prior to taking the reins of the Colby program Coach Houghton served as an assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College from 2015 through 2018. During his time at Iowa Western he oversaw the programs strength and conditioning programs, academics, recruiting, and travel. Thirty-Seven Reivers were NJCAA National Qualifiers with eighteen earning NJCAA All American status, with three becoming NJCAA National Runner-ups, and one NJCAA National Champion. While at Iowa Western Coach Houghton was responsible for the Reivers signing the 10th ranked non-Division I recruiting class in in the country for 2017.
Coach Houghton got his start as a student-assistant at Bacone College during the 2014-2015 season. Houghton received his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Bacone College in 2014 and earned his Master's degree in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University in 2020.
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"We are very excited to welcome Coach Mitch Houghton as our Head Wrestling Coach. Coach Houghton not only brings a competitive mindset and disciplined structure, but also understands the importance of prioritizing academics, recruitment, retention, culture, and community involvement. Coach Houghton is an overall great fit for Bethany College and the Lindsborg Community, and we look forward to seeing him direct Swedes Wrestling.'' added Moreno.
Coach Houghton comes to Bethany College after serving the last three years as the Head Coach at Colby Community College. While at Colby Coach Houghton directed the Trojans to the 2019-2020 KJCCC West Championship. Coach Houghton also saw twelve of his grapplers become West Central District Placers while seventeen Trojans were NJCAA National Qualifiers under his leadership.
Prior to taking the reins of the Colby program Coach Houghton served as an assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College from 2015 through 2018. During his time at Iowa Western he oversaw the programs strength and conditioning programs, academics, recruiting, and travel. Thirty-Seven Reivers were NJCAA National Qualifiers with eighteen earning NJCAA All American status, with three becoming NJCAA National Runner-ups, and one NJCAA National Champion. While at Iowa Western Coach Houghton was responsible for the Reivers signing the 10th ranked non-Division I recruiting class in in the country for 2017.
Coach Houghton got his start as a student-assistant at Bacone College during the 2014-2015 season. Houghton received his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Bacone College in 2014 and earned his Master's degree in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University in 2020.
-#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.