Bethel University Athletics

Bethel competes in NCAA Division III, which means sports focus on personal development rather than scholarships or packed stadiums. With 484 total athletes across 20 varsity sports, about 24% of the 2,012 students participate in athletics. The Royals compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), one of the most competitive Division III leagues in the Midwest. Bethel has built a reputation for strong basketball programs and consistently competitive cross country teams. The school awards $0 in athletic scholarships, typical for Division III institutions that emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic participation. Traditional MIAC rivalries include games against St. Thomas and St. John's that draw solid campus crowds despite the smaller-scale atmosphere.