ºÚÁÏÍø

GROSSNER ANNOUNCED AS NEXT HEAD FOOTBALL COACH FOR THE SWEDES

November 14, 2022

Lindsborg, Kan. - The Bethany College Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Mike Grossner has been named the next head football coach of the Bethany College Swedes Football Team. Grossner succeeds Interim Head Football Coach Vincent Grigsby who stepped in to lead the Swedes this year. 


“We want to extend a sincere thank you to Coach Vincent Grigsby for all of his work as our Interim Head Coach this season,” said Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno. “He stepped in and led with tremendous integrity and character; his passion, motivation, and ability to provide perspective is impressive. He brings tremendous value to Bethany College and Swedes Athletics, and we look forward to the opportunity to continue to work with him.”


Mike Grossner has a decorated history when it comes to coaching football at the collegiate level. Grossner received his first head coaching job at Glendale Community College where he was a three-time Maricopa League Champion and Valley of the Sun Bowl participant. He was also voted the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Coach of the Year three times, as well as the Western States Football League (WSFL) Coach of the Year and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Coach of the Year one time each. Coach Grossner won the AFCA National Championship in 2000. 


Mike Grossner received his next head coaching position at Baker University where he stayed for 15 years. During his time leading the Wildcats, Grossner led his teams to 12 winning seasons in a row, seven National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) playoff appearances, six Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) conference titles, and one NAIA national championship game appearance. Coach Grossner was also a three-time Coach of the Year winner for the conference and tallied a 28-game winning streak within the conference. 


Before accepting the position to be the next head coach of Bethany College Football, Coach Grossner was the Head Football Coach for the Leicester Falcons; an American football team located in Leicester, England. During his time with the Falcons, Grossner finished the shortened 2021 season ranked #7 in the country which is the highest ranking ever achieved by the franchise. In 2022, the Falcons won their conference championship with an 11-1 record and finished as a national semifinalist. 


“We are incredibly excited to welcome Mike Grossner back home to Bethany College,” said Laura Moreno. “Coach Grossner’s proven track record of recruitment, retention, persistence to graduation, on-field success, and fundraising efforts makes him a tremendous fit for Bethany College and Swedes Football. His experience combined with his vision for Bethany Football impressed our Search Committee. As a former football student athlete at Bethany under Hall of Fame Coach Dr. Ted Kessinger, Coach Grossner experienced firsthand how to build and sustain a successful program and has taken that with him throughout his coaching career. His ability to build relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, administration, alumni, and supporters will provide an immediate positive impact for Bethany College and our student-athletes. We can’t wait to work with him as a Swede.”


Head Coach Mike Grossner graduated from Bethany College in 1988 with a degree in Health and Physical Education K-12 Teaching. He was a football student-athlete for the Swedes; playing for Bethany Hall of Fame Coach Dr. Ted Kessinger. While finishing his degree, Grossner was a student assistant coach for the varsity football team, led by Coach Kessinger, who finished that season 13-0. Mike Grossner received his master's degree in Education-Counseling at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. 


Newly named Head Coach Mike Grossner had this to say about the opportunity to coach at his alma mater: “I’m very honored and humbled to serve my alma mater as their Head Football Coach. I would like to thank President Mauch, Dr. Pryor, and the search committee for this dream opportunity for myself and our family. A special thanks to Laura Moreno and Keith Ferguson for their outstanding communication throughout the process. I look forward to meeting all the student-athletes in our program individually after Thanksgiving break. Coach Kessinger has been such a big influence in my life! I’m excited to pay it forward at the institution that gave me an opportunity to begin my coaching career 34 years ago. I look forward to meeting all who are on campus and in the Lindsborg community. Thank you!”


April 2, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. APRIL 2, 2025 — Bethany College is pleased to announce its Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers for the 2025 graduation ceremonies. Commencement Speaker: Kelli Krase, MD Dr. Kelli Krase, a 2004 graduate of Bethany College, will deliver the Commencement address at this year’s graduation. A native of Hesston, Kansas, Dr. Krase earned her degree in Biology from Bethany College before attending medical school at the University of Kansas. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Krase has since returned to the University of Kansas, where she currently serves as an Associate Professor, Residency Program Director for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the School of Medicine. In her professional role, Dr. Krase has been a dedicated educator and clinician, shaping the next generation of doctors. Outside of her academic career, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her spouse and their two children. Baccalaureate Speaker: Ellie Dieringer Ellie Dieringer will serve as the Baccalaureate speaker, bringing with her a passion for social justice, faith-based advocacy, and international service. An advocate for gender justice and intergenerational equity, Dieringer is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, where she earned degrees in Hispanic Studies and Global Studies, specializing in Development & Social Justice and International Affairs. Her journey has led her to travel extensively and engage in meaningful work with vulnerable communities around the world, including in Uruguay, Mexico, and Washington State.  Dieringer also served as a volunteer with the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Montevideo, Uruguay, where she collaborated with ecumenical organizations to promote fair treatment and social justice. Her work has also led her to serve as a delegate at the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women and to participate in the Lutheran World Federation’s Women’s Human Rights Advocacy Training in Geneva, Switzerland. Dieringer’s commitment to lifelong-learning and service will inspire graduates to continue making a positive impact in the world. About Bethany College Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
March 28, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 28, 2025 — Bethany College raised $168,167.87 during its annual Giving Day campaign this year, with every dollar going directly to student scholarships. The support ensures more students can afford a Bethany education and take part in the life-changing opportunities that come with it. This year, the Bethany Backers campaign ran separately. Combined, both efforts brought in a total of over $240,000, surpassing last year’s collective giving total and underscoring the strong support from the Bethany and Lindsborg community. “Both Giving Day and the Bethany Backers campaign have been an incredible success,” said Hayley Samford, Director of Alumni Development and Engagement. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of our alumni, friends, and supporters. We’re excited to use these funds to support the students who are here now—and those who will be joining the Bethany family soon.” If you are interested in giving and supporting Bethany College’s mission, please click here . Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
March 27, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 27, 2025 — Students in Professor James Baker’s Elementary Social Studies Methods class had a unique opportunity to hear from distinguished guest speakers, the Honorable John Carlin and Bethany College alumnus Ryon Carey '95, during a recent session focused on history, government, and education. The event brought together students from both Professor Baker’s course and Dr. Rana Razek’s class for an engaging discussion on the branches of government, the role of the U.S. Department of Education, and the importance of civic understanding in the classroom. Governor Carlin, who also served as the Archivist of the United States following his tenure as Kansas Governor, offered students a personal perspective on his career in public service and shared insights into the responsibilities of preserving key national documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. His reflections underscored the value of historical records in shaping democracy and educating future generations. Ryon Carey, a 1995 Bethany graduate, also contributed to the discussion, offering his perspective on leadership and public service. “It was a privilege to welcome Governor Carlin and Ryon Carey to speak with our students,” said Professor James Baker. “Opportunities like this deepen our students’ understanding of the material and remind us all of the importance of connecting real-world experience to classroom learning. I’m incredibly grateful to both of our speakers for sharing their time and insights.” You can learn more about our Education Department at bethanylb.edu/education . Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
More News
Share by: