The NCAA announced Tuesday, March 4, that Bethel University football player, J.D. Mehlhorn, was one of 29 male athletes nationwide to compete in a fall sport that received a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship that can be applied to continuing education beyond the undergraduate level. Mehlhorn is one of eight student-athletes to receive this prestigious scholarship at Bethel and is the sixth in the last seven years. 
 
"The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes that excel academically and athletically and who are in their final year of college athletics," stated the NCAA. "The postgraduate scholarship was created to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports."
 
Throughout his time at Bethel, Mehlhorn accumulated a GPA of 3.96 as a double major in Biokinetics and Physics and the Royals football team amassed a 41-8 record with three trips to the NCAA Playoffs. Mehlhorn was also a two-time All Conference player, a D3football.com All-Region honoree, and a USA College Football Preseason All American as a defensive back for Bethel. 
 
"J.D. has become the standard for our football team in the classroom, in the weight room, in the hallways, and on the field," noted Coach Johnson. "He has flourished in all of these avenues and that is why he is most deserving of this respected scholarship."
 
Mehlhorn plans to apply his educational experiences in biokinetics and physics towards a graduate studies program in strength training. Mehlhorn desires to equip and empower collegiate athletes to succeed in both training and performance.