Since 1983, the Sports and Recreation Center (SRC) has provided an indoor game, practice, and workout facility for many of Bethel’s sports. With four full court basketball/tennis courts, two drop down batting cages, several running lanes, and enclosure curtains, the SRC has the capability to host a variety of activities simultaneously. In 2006, the SRC got a makeover to include new flooring and paint, enabling Bethel to host its first indoor track meet since 2002. The SRC is also used for recreational and academic use, as well as sports camps, and special events.
Front Desk: 651-638-6140
Royal Stadium
In 1995, construction began on Bethel’s Royal Stadium. This state-of-the-art facility now includes a full concession area, restrooms, and two storage areas. The game facility has also been enclosed with fencing on the visitor side, and a new visitor seating section was completed in 2001. Gifts from the Target Corporation and Ryan Companies have provided funds for a new scoreboard and a newly-landscaped entrance with a donor recognition area that was completed for the 2002 season. This game and practice complex is one of the best small-college stadiums in the upper Midwest. For the Bethel Royals, playing at Royal Stadium has truly been a home field advantage. Since the first game in 1996, which marked a 41-7 Homecoming win over Concordia, the Royals have a 50-10 overall record when playing at home. Bethel has also ranked among the nation’s top NCAA Division III teams in attendance.
Hargis Park
Bethel proudly debuted Hargis Park in the spring of 2000. That same year, the Royals new found home field advantage garnered them an appearance in the first-ever MIAC playoffs. Since then, Hargis Park has hosted numerous high school games, the Gopher Classic American Legion tournament, the Minnesota State Legion tournament and various baseball camps. Named for longtime volunteer assistant baseball coach and Bethel baseball benefactors, the late Bill & Joan Hargis, Hargis Park is among the best college baseball parks in the MIAC as well as in the Midwest. The facility features an outdoor turf batting cage, four bullpen mounds, major league length dugouts, a fully-enclosed press box, and an inning-by-inning scoreboard in left field. In the summer of 2017 a full synthetic turf infield was installed, allowing the Royals increased usage throughout the year. The grandstand behind home plate was built in 2007 providing 500 seats in addition to seating areas both down the third base line and in the left field berm. The Royals are 134-99 (.575) overall on their home field and 67-38 (.638) since 2010.
Hargis Park in the spring of 2000. That same year, the Royals new found home field advantage garnered them an appearance in the first-ever MIAC playoffs. Since then, Hargis Park has hosted numerous high school games, the Gopher Classic American Legion tournament, and various baseball camps. Hargis Park is among the best college baseball parks in the MIAC as well as in the Midwest, and features an outdoor turf batting cage, four bullpen mounds, major league length dugouts, a fully-inclosed press box, and an inning-by-inning scoreboard in left field. Hargis Park was upgraded for the 2007 season with new stadium seating that raised capacity to over 500 and then again in 2012 for a newly renovated infield.
Ona Orth Athletic Complex
In the summer of 2000, construction began on six tennis courts, a fastpitch softball park, and a soccer practice/game field on Bethel’s 10-acre site across Old Snelling Avenue. Since it opened for play in the fall of 2003, the Ona Orth Athletic Complex has been the home for Bethel’s tennis, softball, and soccer teams, providing a state of the art facility for the Royals. In addition, the Orth Complex has hosted the MIAC Softball tournament, as well as soccer and tennis camps.
The complex was named after Ms. Ona Orth, a Shoreview resident who had a love for youth and athletics and was a significant donor to the $1.8 million facility. With an on-campus practice facility and the ability to play games at the facility, the recruiting advantage and ease of travel have been great assets to the athletic programs of Bethel University.
Bethel University Arena (National Sports Center)
Neither the Bethel men’s or women’s hockey programs had ever had an ice rink to call “home” until Jan. 19, 2007. That’s the day they officially moved their home ice from Columbia Arena in Fridley, Minn., to Bethel University Arena at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. Current Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Governor Wendell Anderson were on hand to dedicate the rink with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the men’s first game, a 5-0 win over St. John’s University. Six weeks later, Bethel University Arena became the site of the men’s first MIAC playoff championship, which gave them an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
The Schwan’s Super Rink at the National Sports Center is the largest ice arena of its kind. This state-of-the-art, $21 million facility features eight sheets of ice under one roof totaling more than 300,000 square feet. Bethel University Arena was part of a major expansion that took place in 2006 to include four new sheets of ice and the locker rooms that are home to the Royals hockey programs. The Royals locker room features separate rooms for players and coaches, laundry machines, exercise equipment, and skate sharpening, making it one of the premier facilities in all of college hockey. Also added was the 12,500 square foot Herb Brooks Training Center that offers weight training, speed, and fitness machines.
The 2007-08 season marked the Royals first full season in their new home. The arena, coupled with the support of the student body, parents, loved ones, and other loyal fans, will be the foundation of the men’s hockey program for years to come.
