Bethel announces Tony Hoops resignation as athletic director
His final day on campus will be Aug. 15.
On Thursday, Bethel Athletics announced the resignation of Tony Hoops, who had served as the school’s athletic director for six years. His final day on campus will be Aug. 15 before fulfilling the Vice President of Athletics position at Northwestern (Iowa).
“Bethel has transformed my life as a student, athlete, coach, and athletic director,” Hoops stated in the press release. “The past nine years of my life at Bethel have been the most fulfilling time of my entire career. Our family has grown up at Bethel and we could not have asked for a better place to call home.”
During his tenure in North Newton, Hoops oversaw three football KCAC titles, three trips by the men’s basketball team to the NAIA playoffs, the first-ever trip by the women’s basketball team to the NAIA playoffs — among other on-field and on-court achievements — and the upgrade of numerous athletic facilities.
Hoops, a Bethel alumnus and ex-Thresher basketball player, served as the head men’s basketball coach prior to his promotion. He was named the KCAC athletic director of the year in 2021.
“The unprecedented success we experienced is something I never could have imagined. I was blessed to hire a tremendous staff who bought into me as a young leader for which I am incredibly grateful,” Hoops added. “We all have someone else's dream job. Our staff embraced this, exhibited by their strong commitment to running excellent programs.
“As a result, I was able to live out my dream job.”
Last summer, Bethel Athletics secured its fifth-straight NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Gold award. In 2023, the institution graduated more student-athletes than it ever had.
“I am grateful for Tony's contributions to the long-term excellence of Bethel College athletics,” President Jon Gering stated. “He has been an excellent advocate, leader, and partner for the college and the community. I wish him and his family the best of success as they transition into their new lives at Northwestern College.”
The search for a new athletic director will begin immediately, per the release.
“The people of Bethel are what makes this place so special,” Hoops stated. “The alums, staff, student-athletes, and community are who motivated me every day to make Bethel Athletics the best version it could be. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me and my family.
“We gave everything we had to this place and I look forward to following the continued success now as an alum.”