Bethel College (KS)

A Bethel graduate of 1974, Russ Graber's meritorious service to his alma mater would be considered above and beyond what was expected of an employee. After playing for Thresher Football on the offensive line as a student, Graber went on to spend many years as an assistant coach for the football team as well as the women's basketball and track and field programs. As a coach, Graber pushed his athletes to hone their crafts with proper technique while providing the motivation needed to reach their full potential. Graber had a hand in many KCAC Championships and NAIA National Championship appearances. Graber went on to take a new role at Bethel, as the institution's first board-certified athletic trainer. Graber is credited for providing hundreds of Bethel student-athletes top-notch health care, while also being a huge proponent of the creation of the ACCK Athletic Training Consortium. His work helped Bethel establish accreditation within its athletic training program for the first time in 2004. Graber's work is still felt and seen at Bethel since his retirement in 2014, and he continues to be a physical presence for Thresher Athletics.