ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - PepeJon Chavez has announced his resignation as head coach of both the men's and women's soccer programs at Bethel University.

Chavez was instrumental in turning both programs around in a short amount of time. Last year, he helped the women's program achieve its best record in school history and steps down as the head coach with the most wins in the 17-year history of the women's program at 28-20-6. He also helped the men's team post a winning season, both overall and in conference play, for the first time since 2004.

As a collegiate player for Bethel, Chavez led the 2001 and 2002 teams with two of the most prolific individual seasons in Royals history. Chavez earned All-Region honors, was a two-time All-MIAC selection, and in 2002 became Bethel's first-ever MIAC most valuable player. He finished his two-year career fifth on Bethel's all-time scoring list with 55 points (20 goals, 15 assists). He spent the next four seasons as an assistant with Bethel before assuming the head coaching position of both programs in 2007.

“He has created an environment surrounding both teams that is full of excitement, energy and an expectation of excellence," said Athletic Director Bob Bjorklund. "The power of the transforming work of Christ has been amazingly evident in his life and I will miss his joyful spirit amongst us. PepeJon has embraced the mission of Bethel and our Athletic Department. He has lived out a message of bold faith and I am sad to see him go.”