Spring 2023 Bethel Magazine

14 BETHELUNIVERSITY.EDU/MAGAZINE On Dec. 5, 2022, Bethel University’s Men’s Soccer Team made program and school history by winning the NAIA* (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) National Championship, 3-1 over Mobile (AL) at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Ala. This was a first for the soccer program and the fourth NAIA team national championship in Bethel history, the other three being men’s basketball in the ’90s. Head Coach Thiago Pinto ’05, ‘07, ‘11, who was named the 2022 Select Sport America NAIA Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, is excited about what this win means for the program, but he’s even more excited about the platform it gives the team to advance the gospel – especially in closed countries, where sports can become an avenue to share about Christ. “I tell the guys to enjoy it, but make sure we are humble and grateful.We also understand that there’s a greater responsibility with a spotlight on the team. My prayer is – how can this championship give us the authority and credit to have a kingdom influence?” Pinto says. Pinto explains that a national championship win is a byproduct of all the hard work and character development that went into the season – something he’s focused on establishing over his 15 years of coaching. “Setting up support and resources for the team has been a big focus for this year – an intentionality in scheduling and mentoring,” Pinto says. Each year, the players receive a welcome letter/roadmap that sets intentions as the season begins. In this year’s roadmap, sophomore Samuel Thomas summarized what it means to be a champion: “Winning a soccer game, even on the national stage, is a purpose too small to live for.We are capable of so much more than that. Trophies don’t make people champions. Champions are made within. Champions are not defined by their hardware but rather by their hearts. Champions are the ones who can commit to purpose, vision and roles along with their teammates,” he said. Pinto explains that the values for the team include togetherness, aspiration and ownership, and that ownership, in particular, has been a strength that’s contributed to their success. “We had the right [players], the right staff, mentors and leadership development. The result came from a lot of work over time,” Pinto says. Not only did the Pilots win the NAIA National Championship, but their season record provided a bid to host the first and second rounds of the NAIA National Soccer Tournament on campus, for the first time since 2009. This event brought the Bethel community together to practice hospitality for the visiting teams and fans. Athletic Director Tony Natali explains, “We were focused on excellence – from the hospitality to the locker rooms for the other teams, we were determined to provide a welcoming space for our guests.” And while the weather in Northern Indiana in November can be unpredictable, no one could have anticipated the snowstorm that nearly cancelled the tournament. In order to keep play going for the November 14 and 15 games, the field needed to be cleared of snow five times. That took industrial- sized leaf blowers, shovels, snow blowers and an incredible show COMMUNITY KEYTO CHAMPIONSHIP BY LISSA (GRASHORN) DIAZ