Coming this Fall_600x300Some exciting things are coming to Pilot Athletics. With the fall 2015 semester, Bethel College will launch three new programs in the athletic department, including women’s lacrosse, a co-ed drumline and men’s rugby. Coaches have been hired and student recruiting is currently underway.

“We are excited to add these new programs to our athletic department,” says Athletic Director Tom Visker. “Lacrosse and rugby are two of the fastest growing sports nationwide, and the drumline will add a fun and entertaining dimension to our athletic contests.”

The women’s lacrosse team will be led by Head Coach Scott Holmes and will have the option of joining the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL) or the National Women’s Lacrosse League (NWLL). Both of these leagues currently have regional NAIA institutions as competing members. Crossroads League members Grace College and Taylor University both compete within the WCLL Division II South Region, while teams from the neighboring Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (Aquinas College, Davenport University, Indiana Tech, Lawrence Tech, Lourdes University and Siena Heights University) all compete in the NWLL. While the NAIA does not yet include women’s lacrosse as a varsity sport, 24 different NAIA institutions provide women’s lacrosse programs across the country.

The coed drumline, led by alumnus Jacob Grabill ’14, will focus on enhancing the competitive and family friendly atmosphere at Pilot home events. The drumline will perform at home games during the fall, winter and spring for both men’s and women’s contests.

The men’s rugby team, which will be led by Head Coach Nate Hamil ’07, is looking to compete in the National Small College Rugby Organization. The NSCRO is divided into four regions and then into smaller units classified as conferences or unions. Crossroads League members Grace College, Indiana Wesleyan University and Taylor University currently hold affiliation with the Indiana Rugby Football Union’s North Bracket, along with Anderson University (NCAA DIII) and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA DI).

Nate Hamil, head rugby coach, brings knowledge and experience to the men’s rugby team as a player, individual skill instructor and coach. A 4-year starter and team captain in high school, he served as assistant coach for the Clay and Adams High School Rugby Club from 2004-2006. Nate stayed connected to the sport in college through club play and has served as a private instructor for lineouts and hooking skills.

Nate Hamil, head rugby coach, brings knowledge and experience to the men’s rugby team as a player, individual skill instructor and coach. A 4-year starter and team captain in high school, he served as assistant coach for the Clay and Adams High School Rugby Club from 2004-2006. Nate stayed connected to the sport in college through club play and has served as a private instructor for lineouts and hooking skills.

Jacob Grabill graduated from Bethel in 2014 with a B.A. in Music Education. While at Bethel, Grabill was part of the Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Musical Pit and Chamber Orchestra. Grabill is the director of percussion and assistant pep band director at NorthWood High School. Independently, he has offered private lessons since 2009.

Jacob Grabill graduated from Bethel in 2014 with a B.A. in Music Education. While at Bethel, Grabill was part of the Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Musical Pit and Chamber Orchestra. Grabill is the director of percussion and assistant pep band director at NorthWood High School. Independently, he has offered private lessons since 2009.

Scott Holmes, head coach of Lacrosse, brings extensive experience as a certified U.S. Lacrosse high school women’s head coach, where he developed both the athletes and program, and a significant knowledge of the collegiate recruiting process. He also has a strong background as an entrepreneur and businessman in sales and marketing.

Scott Holmes, head coach of Lacrosse, brings extensive experience as a certified U.S. Lacrosse high school women’s head coach, where he developed both the athletes and program, and a significant knowledge of the collegiate recruiting process. He also has a strong background as an entrepreneur and businessman in sales and marketing.