MANKATO, Minn. - In November 2016, the Board of Regents at Bethany Lutheran College approved a plan to study the possible addition of intercollegiate football. The study included interviews, surveys and meetings with various constituencies of Bethany. Four site visits were also conducted with coaches and administration at like-minded NCAA Division III football programs. All of this information was then reviewed by a 19-member Task Force consisting of Bethany administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the campus, as well as BLC's executive cabinet.

The results of this study were presented back to the Board of Regents on August 14-15. The following resolution was adopted by this governing body:

"The Bethany Lutheran College Board of Regents thanks the Football Feasibility Study Task Force, Athletic Director Don Westphal, and the college administration for their outstanding work in studying and putting together a comprehensive report on the feasibility of starting the sport of football on the Bethany campus. There were several positive findings from the study that encourage the Regents to continue the investigation of adding football. Some questions remain unknown, however, such as whether Bethany can secure the facilities to operate a program. Therefore, for the time being we're going to continue to study and research football, as well as explore other potential program options, both athletic and non-athletic. The Regents will continue to study the topic in follow-up reports at its future quarterly meetings this academic year."

About Bethany: Bethany Lutheran College, founded in 1927, is a four-year, Christian liberal arts college located in Mankato, Minnesota. Bethany's mission focuses on educating students through personal, mentoring relationships focused both on intellectual and spiritual development. Bethany provides studies in twenty-four programs with classes delivered in a relevant and challenging academic environment.