After more than two decades, the Bethel Athletics Hall of Fame returns with its 2026 class. The 10-member class brings together Royals from across multiple eras and athletic programs, celebrating accomplishments that helped shape the history and legacy of Bethel Athletics. From national championships and All-American honors to conference championships, school records and historic firsts, the 2026 class represents a wide range of excellence across Royals athletics.

Marie (Borner) Ferda

Women's Cross Country/Track & Field • Class of 2010

Marie (Borner) Ferda established herself among the top distance runners in Bethel history during her career with the Royals. She became an NCAA Division III national champion in the mile in 2008, earning All-American honors while also capturing MIAC championships in cross country and track. Ferda finished her career as a school-record holder and was also recognized as a second-team Academic All-American in 2010.

Keith Bateman

Baseball • Class of 1999

Keith Bateman was a three-time All-MIAC selection who served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He earned All-Midwest Region honors as a senior and was named Bethel's team MVP in both of his final two seasons. Bateman finished his career with 193 hits, while his .441 batting average in 1998 remains among the top single-season marks in Bethel baseball history.

Scott Kirchoff

Football • Class of 2004

Scott Kirchoff was a four-year starting quarterback for the Royals from 2000–03, earning three MIAC First Team All-Conference selections. He helped lead Bethel to two MIAC championships and three NCAA playoff appearances while establishing school records for passing attempts, passing yards, completions and touchdowns. Kirchoff later returned to Bethel as a coach and was named the 2016 AFCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year.

Vernon Chico Rowland

Football • Class of 2001

Vernon Chico Rowland was a standout offensive lineman who earned All-MIAC honors in 1998 and 1999. In 1999, he was named the MIAC Mike Stam Lineman of the Year and an AFCA All-American while also earning first-team D3football.com All-American recognition. Rowland was additionally recognized on the AFCA Good Works Team during his senior season.

Kent Bostrom

Men's Hockey • Class of 2009

Kent Bostrom was a four-time MIAC All-Conference selection during his Bethel hockey career from 2006–09. He finished his career with 117 points on 49 goals and 68 assists, placing him among the top scorers in Royals men's hockey history. Bostrom was also a key contributor to Bethel's 2006–07 MIAC championship team, which advanced to the program's first NCAA Tournament.

Jami (Hillenbrand) Eckerle

Softball • Class of 1998

Jami (Hillenbrand) Eckerle was a three-time All-MIAC selection from 1996–98 and earned second-team NFCA All-Midwest Region honors as a senior. A standout at shortstop, Eckerle was a key contributor throughout her four-year Bethel softball career. Her three All-MIAC selections place her among the accomplished players in Royals softball history.

Carrie (Ritland) Shirkey

Volleyball • Class of 2000

Carrie (Ritland) Shirkey helped establish Bethel volleyball as a championship program during her career from 1996–99. She became Bethel's first All-American, earned MIAC Player of the Year honors in 1999 and helped lead the Royals to their first MIAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. That season, she recorded a program-record 659 kills and finished her career with 1,736 kills.

Kitri (Peterson) Boser

Women's Basketball • Class of 1996

Kitri (Peterson) Boser was a two-time All-MIAC selection and the 1996 MIAC Player of the Year. She finished her Bethel career with 1,421 points and 635 rebounds, ranking among the program's career leaders in scoring. Boser was also a member of the 1993–94 Royals team that won Bethel's first MIAC women's basketball championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen.

Keith Newman

Men's Basketball • Class of 1992

Keith Newman was a two-time First Team All-MIAC selection who earned Academic All-American, All-Western District and NCAA Division III All-American Honorable Mention honors in 1992. He finished his career with 1,118 points and remains Bethel's all-time career leader in assists with 572. Newman also helped lead the Royals to the 1990–91 MIAC championship and the program's first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.

Kirby Carr

Football/Baseball • Class of 2007

Kirby Carr made his mark in both football and baseball during his Bethel career, earning All-MIAC honors in both sports. He was named the 2006 MIAC Football Most Valuable Player after leading the Royals to an MIAC championship and NCAA playoff appearance, and he set an NCAA record in 2005 by scoring a defensive extra point in consecutive weeks. On the baseball diamond, Carr remains Bethel's career leader in batting average, slugging percentage, RBI, and home runs. Carr is the first athlete in MIAC history to be a four-time MIAC All-Conference selection in two sports.

Celebrating Excellence. Honoring Legacy.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Class represents generations of achievement across Bethel Athletics, celebrating the accomplishments and contributions that continue to shape the Royals' history.