To the editor:
The endorsement by President Lundquist of the Music Department at Bethel has caused some stimulation of thought in another department within the Bethel community, that of Athletics. The president lauded the department of music for "in many ways the Department of Music by its very nature is able to give visibility to some of Bethel's highest ideals that otherwise are not as clearly seen off campus." This season in football has also brought some visibility to Bethel but the publicity brought to our school is not of a positive effect. All five of the emphases suggested as descriptive of music apply equally well to Athletics and the goals that an Athletic department in a Christian college should have.
1. Establishing high professional standards as alone worthy of the Lord whom we serve.Establishing high professional standards, disciplining life, student performance marked by excellence--these sound as if they could be taken from an athletic training handbook. A season record of 0-9 and a three-year winning total of one game is something less than a positive concern for the impact of our campus and its testimony to the world around us. For athletics has a great Christian impact, both on prospective students, alumni, and other observers of Bethel.2. Disciplining life so that student performance is marked by an excellence in order to please Christ and glorify God.
3. Presenting the results of classroom and laboratory work to God in prayer as an offering of love for His service.
4. Demonstrating concern about the Christian impact of our campus and its testimony to the world around us.
5. Being sensitive to the feelings of the people who love Bethel and who by their personal sacrifices make possible the continuation of our school.
What needs to be recognized is that the athletic program of this college has perhaps as much effect as the testimony of other departments in the college. We do not mean to disparage the president's comments or his praise of the music department--we simply request a recognition of the fact that the athletic department has a great effect and a great testimony and is in need of support and some due recognition. The Christian athlete is a unique brand of person and in this age when Sports takes so much of the limelight, a half-hearted effort is seen in a negative light. A cheer, short but to the point, indicates the spirit necessary for victory--"you gotta wanna." But spirit is not the only ingredient necessary for victory--there must be something in back of that spirit. If spirit or plain guts were the sole factor then this yearís team would have had a 9-0 season. But there must be something to substantiate that spirit--a full program must be in force to provide a meaning for spirit. Such things require an investment but an investment that will produce results far beyond that cost. Part of that cost includes financial assistance to valuable athletes to build a competitive program. Each of the five goals suggested by the president can be accomplished only if there is such an investment. At this stage in the planning of the new campus, such a program should be included in the planning as a top priority item. Education must include the total person and a half-hearted effort in one area weakens the whole.
Tom Molin '71
Keith R. Anderson '71
Larry Van Epps '71
Bill Painter '70