General Information:
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul , Minn.
Enrollment: 6,300 (2,900 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Arena: Robertson Center
2008-09 Record:
Overall Record: 20-7
MIAC Record: 14-6 / 2nd Place
Key losses:
Tim Madson - D3hoops.com All-American Third Team, third leading scorer at Bethel all-time
Cory Laugen - 11.6 ppg, led team in assists
Mike Moberg - 12.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg
Key Newcommers:
Taylor Hall, Forward (So., Blaine, Minn.)
Zak Mathson, Forward (Fr., Cambridge, Minn.)
Greg Meyer, Guard (Fr., Brooklyn Center, Minn.)
Key Returners:
Rob Lang (Sr., Johnston, Iowa) - 4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 50% FG shooting
Nate Robertson (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) - 8.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg
Chris Vavra (Sr., Cambridge, Minn.) - MIAC Sixth Man 08-09, 9.5 ppg
Season Outlook:
As the 2009-2010 college basketball season gets underway, every team is searching for guys who will step into a leadership role and pull the team together. We are fortunate at Bethel to have a group of guys who have proven their ability to play and have the savvy to lead.
The race to be run by the 2009-2010 Bethel Royals will be led by a terrific trio of seniors who have sacrificed, worked, and committed themselves to pulling our team together. Rob Lang (Johnston, Iowa) is a 6’4” swing man who shoots it well (50% in 2008-09) and is a great perimeter defender. He is a returning starter whose maturity and game presence give our team a leader who is a great decision maker. At 6’8”, Nate Robertson (Forest Lake H.S.) is a returning starter whose mental and physical toughness, along with his inside scoring skills and provides rebounding prowess our team with a consistent and proven inside presence. Last season Nate averaged 8.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and shot 51% from the field. His passion to play, basketball intelligence, and competitiveness are the crucial elements of leadership that he brings to our team’s foundation.
The MIAC’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2008-2009, Chris Vavra (Braham H.S. - pictured above) is a 6’0” guard/lead-guard who has good perimeter scoring skills and can attack in the open court. In 2008-2009 he shot 37.6% from the 3-point line, and 75% from the free throw line. His positive voice in the locker room, great rapport with his teammates, and his intense court demeanor are examples of how leaders carry themselves under the pressure of competition.
These senior leaders will be flanked by three other returners with varsity experience. JD Robinson (Armstrong H.S.) voted by his teammates as the Most Improved Player in 2008-2009, is a 6’5” senior swingman with good perimeter shooting skills and the ability to defend and rebound. At 6’1”, Kellan Dahlquist (Foley H.S.) the program’s 2008-2009 Rookie-of-the-Year has the toughness, work ethic, and competitiveness to be a scorer both inside and outside while giving a terrific presence on the glass. Coming fresh off of an exceptional soccer season for the Royals, Zach Hurd (6’1”, Portage North H.S.) plays the lead-guard and off-guard with great court presence and mental toughness.
Joining these six returners is a terrific recruiting class. Newcomers to the varsity include several transfers and freshman. Sophomores Eric Hugoson, 6’ (Fairmont H.S.) and Daniel Baah, 6’ (Lakeville North H.S.), and transfers Taylor Hall, 6’7” ( Spring Lake Park H.S.) and Elliot Risbrudt, 5’11” (Ashby H.S.) will be contributors right away. Joining them are freshmen Greg Meyer, 6’4” (Minnehaha Academy), David Burnham, 6’4” (Minnehaha Academy), Zak Mathson, 6’5” (Cambridge Isanti H.S.), and Taylor Sparkman, 6’6” (Minnehaha Academy).
The 2009-2010 team will pull together on the court by playing with intense, full court defensive pressure and an up-tempo offensive style. In the half-court, the Royals have good offensive decision makers who take care of the ball and can get to the rim. Limiting the opponent’s field goal percentage and rebounding to finish defensive possessions will be the result of a hawkins style of play. The blend of experienced and skilled senior leaders with the athletic ability, basketball skills, and intensity of our other returning players and newcomers, will give our fans a high energy, well executed style of play that will light up the Robertson Center.
The race is on – here we go!
