NORTH NEWTON, KAN. - The Bethel College athletic department has announced the appointment of Amber Russell as the next head coach for the women's and men's cross country and assistant track & field programs.

 "We are unbelievably excited to have Amber join Bethel College as a quality coach and educator! Her passion and expertise is exactly what we desired in this position" said Athletic Director Tony Hoops. 

Russell comes to Bethel after a long career in coaching and teaching Health and Physical Education at Valley Center High School, in Valley Center, Kansas. She has been a part of the Track & Field/Cross Country programs since 2007, serving as the Head Coach in Cross Country the past five years and the Track & Field Head Coach the past two years. Russell coached two individual state champions during her tenure, while leading the cross country team to the KSHSAA state championship meet eleven times, four as the head coach. 

"I'm thankful for the opportunity to join the Bethel Community! Specifically I'd like to thank Tony Hoops for believing in me and giving me this opportunity," Russell stated.

Russell's tenure at Valley Center High School has been very impactful for her students and athletes.  She was a nominee for the Lifechanger of the Year award and led the Valley Center Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). In 2019, Amber was named the Wichita FCA Area Coach of the Year. 

"I've admired Amber's leadership style and program success from a distance over the past 14 years. I know she will have an immediate impact on our programs and I'm looking forward to watching them grow in the future."

Amber will work directly with newly appointed Head Track and Field Coach Mark Nelson. Nelson will oversee the direction of both programs while focusing his recruiting and coaching efforts on track and field. Russell will focus her recruiting efforts on cross country while coaching the distance runners within track and field. 

"I am very excited to welcome Amber to the Thresher Coaching staff," said Coach Mark Nelson. "She is an accomplished and experienced coach. I am confident that she will help our men and women take the next step in their growth as athletes and as people."

Russell went on to state, "I'd like to thank my husband and my family for their undying support as we embark on this new adventure. I'm excited to get started and join the amazing coaches and faculty at Bethel."

Russell holds a Master of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Emporia State University. 

In athletics, Bethel competes within the 13-school Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. For more information, see www.bethelthreshers.com.

Bethel College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, parental or marital status, gender identity, gender expression, medical or genetic information, ethnic or national origins, citizenship status, veteran or military status or disability. E-mail questions to TitleIXCoordinator@bethelks.edu.