Bethel University announced today that Brad Chappell has been promoted from Associate Director of Athletics to Director of Athletics. President Walter Butler said, “We are honored that Brad will be our new Director of Athletics. Brad has served our athletic department since 2011 and has earned the respect of our staff, athletes, and his fellow athletic administrators at the universities we compete against. We are so excited Brad has agreed to continue his work with our athletic programs.”
During his tenure at the university, Chappell has overseen all facets of a department that includes 53 coaches, administrative and support staff as well as more than 750 student-athletes. He has direct supervision of budgets, business operations, scholarships, and athletic facilities. Most recently Chappell oversaw renovations to Gaines Pool.
In addition to his experience at Bethel, Chappell also acted as vice president of the TranSouth Conference. During Bethel’s membership in the Southern States Athletic Conference, he served as the sport chair for softball and soccer and was a member of the SSAC strategic planning committee. In Bethel’s current league, the Mid-South Conference, he has served on the oversight, competition, and football committees. Chappell also serves as the liaison to Champions of Character, an NAIA initiative. Bethel has been named a five-star Champions of Character institution each year since his arrival and has earned gold status the last six years. Under his guidance BU student athletes have logged more than 30,000 hours of community service.
During Chappell’s tenure in athletics, the department has continued its commitment to academic excellence. Numerous Bethel scholar-athletes and teams have received academic recognition at the conference and national levels.
Since Chappell’s arrival, the athletic department has won conference championships in football, women’s basketball, tennis, golf, volleyball, cross country and baseball, and national titles in bass fishing, shooting, archery, and inline hockey. In 2013, Bethel University’s athletic department was awarded the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup for the TranSouth Conference.
Chappell has served in various civic capacities including as a member of the McKenzie Parks and Recreation board and a population task force serving the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Carroll County Watershed Authority.
Mid-South Conference Commissioner Eric Ward shared his thoughts on the announcement. “I have had the opportunity in the past to work side by side with Brad as an athletic director and for the past eight years as commissioner of the Mid-South Conference, and I cannot imagine a person better suited or qualified to lead Bethel University athletics into the future. He has been representing BU at the conference level for some time and has great rapport with our conference ADs. He is an experienced professional and always has the best interests of his institution, athletics department, student-athletes and coaches in mind whenever he is called on to lead or make decisions.”
In commenting on his new position, Chappell said “I am humbled and honored to be named Director of Athletics at my alma mater. I appreciate Dr. Butler putting his faith in me to head such an important facet of Bethel University. My intention is make current and former student-athletes, students, faculty, staff and alumni proud of our accomplishments. I am grateful to Glenn Hayes and Dale Kelley for the opportunity to grow and learn under their leadership.”
Chappell has been married to his wife Christie for 31 years. They have four children – Nick, Jake, Allie, and Drew. Prior to arriving at Bethel, Chappell served in the Tennessee public school system for 15 years as a teacher and coach. He has taught all levels between fourth grade and college seniors in various subjects. His coaching experience is extensive, covering a number of sports but primarily focused on middle and high school football.