The 2016-17 school year once again provided numerous unforgettable moments for the Bethel University athletic department. From NCAA tournament appearances to MIAC championships and All-American's to Coach of the Year awards, the past 10 months had it all. BethelRoyals.com celebrates the many memories from the past year with the annual Top 10 moments.
#8 | Carlee Hoppe Receives NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
Bethel University has been exceptionally fortunate to have 12 student-athletes receive the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship since 1999 and seven since 2012. Obtaining this high academic and athletic honor
this past year was graduated volleyball player
Carlee Hoppe.
The postgraduate scholarship is a significant honor because it awards graduating student-athletes with $7,500 to put towards a postgraduate degree. The NCAA contributes this scholarship to just 29 females and 29 males from all divisions three times each year (87 females and 87 males each year).
Hoppe finished her storied career with four MIAC First Team All-Conference accolades, becoming just the 10th player in league history to accomplish this feat. She was also the first Bethel volleyball player to record more than 1,300 kills, 1,100 digs, and 1,500 points over her career.
Hoppe was voted American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American honorable mention, AVCA First Team All-Region, and NCAA Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Championships in 2015. Additionally, the Shakoppe, Minn., native received 10 all-tournament team selections during her career and was voted MIAC Rookie of the Year in 2013.
Her success went far beyond the court, as Hoppe amassed a 3.78 GPA while majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish. Her Spanish minor came alive when studying abroad in Guatemala during the spring 2016 semester. Her academic prowess led to three MIAC Academic All-Conference honors and six semesters on Bethel University's Dean's List.
Hoppe has been very active in the community as well. She was part of the founding group for Bethel's chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and remained in leadership for the past two years. That came after she spent an entire summer as an intern for FCA volleyball in Newport, California. Hoppe has also served as a volunteer teacher for Karen Kids with the Awana program at Trinity Baptist Church and participated in numerous Special Olympics events.
#9 | Two Athletes Earn All-American Honors
#10 | Women's Cross Country Earns Fourth-Highest GPA among all Division III Programs
