COACH STEWART RESIGNS AS HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH
LINDSBORG, KAN. – Head Volleyball Coach and Bethany College Champions of Character Liaison Brandi Stewart has officially resigned after 6 years at the helm.
Coach Stewart is resigning to focus on family with her husband, Gary Stewart, and future baby girl who is set to arrive late June.
Former Head Coach Brandi Stewart on resigning: "Due to a major personal life change of becoming a first-time mom later on this summer, I have made the difficult decision to step down as Head Volleyball Coach at Bethany College. I want to thank this institution and the Lindsborg community for all of the love and support I've received for the past six seasons as a Swede! Loving-on and mentoring my student-athletes have been some of the best years of my life and want to thank those who have served this program and embraced me as their coach. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with them and all the accomplishments we were able to reach together. As I enter this new stage of life, I am saddened to leave behind a phenomenal group of girls and colleagues, but I am also excited to embrace motherhood fully and spend some much-needed time with my family. Gary, baby girl Stewart, and I can't wait to cheer on the Swedes from the stands in a new capacity moving forward. And as always, GO SWEDES!"
Coach Stewart joined the Swedes back in 2018 after a year of being the interim head coach at Fort Hays State University, where she took over the Tigers mid-season. Before Fort Hays State, Coach Stewart spent her playing days at Dodge City Community College and Sterling College.
While at the helm, Coach Stewart guided the Swedes to an 83-100 overall record over the past 6 years, including a 50-32 record in Hahn Gymnasium, becoming one of the winningest coaches in Bethany College history. Over her first 2 years, Brandi transformed an 11-25 team into a 25-8 monster. Bethany qualified for the KCAC playoffs each season while playing for Coach Stewart making it as far as the semifinals where the Swedes fell to Ottawa University in 20-21.
"A big thank you to Coach Stewart and all that she has done during her time at Bethany. She has been an integral part of our department and work family, and while we are sad to see her go, we understand and support her decision at this important time in her life," said Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno. "We appreciate Coach Stewart and all she has done, and are glad that she and Gary will still be in Lindsborg, soon with baby Stewart, who will be cheering on the Swedes in no time!"
Coach Stewart recruited and coached plenty of talent as she has coached the 2021 KCAC Player of the Year, who was also an AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) 3rd Team All-American, 2019 KCAC Setter of the Year who was also 2019 AVCA West Region Honorable Mention, and 13 All-KCAC honorees. The Swedes were also named KCAC Team of Character in 2022 as well as the 2022 KCAC Scholar Team of the Year. On the national side, the Swedes were the 2021, 2023, and 2024 AVCA All-Academic Team and a NAIA Scholar Team every year under Coach Stewart.
Bethany College is now seeking a new Head Volleyball Coach. The job posting and application are available here.
~#RockarStockar~