Bethany Lutheran College Athletics

Larry Van Mersbergen was a two-time Southern Minnesota Junior College All-Conference selection (SMJCC), Region 13 All-Tournament selection, and Blue Waters Classic honoree in basketball. In 1959-60, Van Mersbergen’s freshmen year, he scored 500 points in just 25 games (20 ppg). Van Mersbergen was selected as the team MVP that year as he led the Vikings to the SMJCC conference title. Again, in his sophomore year, Bethany won the 1960-61 conference championship as Van Mersbergen had another great year scoring 320 points in 19 games (16.8 ppg).  In 1961, Van Mersbergen helped Bethany defeat Hibbing Community College for the Region 13 title, advancing the team to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS. The Bethany basketball teams were both nationally ranked during Van Mersbergen’s basketball career.  Larry also played on the Bethany baseball team for two years and had a batting average of .394 his first year and .381 the second year.

Following his time at Bethany College, Larry coached youth baseball in Skokie and Morton Grove for ten years.  He also served in the Boy Scouts of America for fifteen years in various leadership positions including Scoutmaster, and District Commissioner.

Larry passed away on September 30, 2012 at the age of 73. His hall of fame plague was displayed at the funeral.