EUGENE, Ore.  – With Christ at the heart of the Tri-Athlete Model, Bushnell's commitment to service, and to modeling the characteristics of the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative remains the core facet of what makes being a Beacon special.
 
In 2023-2024, the Beacon athletic department set a new standard for themselves, contributing over 5600 combined hours of service in the community, through non-profit internships, and in missions work. This amounts to an average of over 20 hours served per student-athlete, hitting a goal that the department has set for itself. 
 
Signature Events
Each year the Bushnell athletic department participates in a number of community service traditions, including Embrace the Community Day, the Orientation service project for all new students, an Adopt-A-Family program at Christmas, and a food collection project to support FOOD For Lane County.
 
For the fourth year in a row, our very own Athletic Director Corey Anderson has lent his time and talents (and incredible beard), playing Santa Claus for the Eugene Family YMCA, River Road Parks and Rec department and other local charities.
 
Each Bushnell team is expected to go above and beyond these signature programs with at least one additional service opportunities each year. Some examples include the cross country and track program volunteering at multiple community road races and events, the baseball team serving lower income families through multiple food-related charities, and the basketball team putting together a Special Olympics clinic. 
 
Internships
As part of Bushnell's commitment to helping students find their calling, every traditional undergraduate student is required to complete an internship at some point during their final two years. For many athletes, this includes unpaid opportunities to work and serve at local non-profit organizations. This year, this included service at the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Relief Nursery, Volunteers in Medicine, Love for Lane County, and many others. 
 
Missions
Bushnell's robust student missions program this year included sponsored trips to Puerto Rico and Cambodia. 11 student-athletes participated in those trips this year.
 
Honors and Awards
Bushnell athletes choose to be a light for Christ in the community and around the world, simply out of a natural calling to be part of something bigger than themselves, not for the recognition. It speaks volumes, however, about the impact of the Bushnell Tri-Athlete model, that once again multiple "Character" awards that are given out by the Cascade Collegiate Conference, and voted on by CCC Athletic Directors, went to Bushnell this season.
 
For the second time in three years, the Bushnell Baseball team was selected as the CCC Team of Character. In addition, former head coach Tommy Richards was named the CCC Coach of Character, becoming the second Bushnell coach to receive that award. 

Bushnell has also been selected as a nominee for the first ever NAIA School of Character Award, which will be announced in September. 

Top-Ten Stories of 2023-2024

#10 - Will, Stout Join Bushnell Coaching Staff
#9 - Softball Knocks Off No. 10 Southern Oregon
#8 - Beacons Display Prowess in the Classroom
#7 - Women's Soccer Qualifies for Postseason
#6 - Women's Basketball Upsets No. 7 Lewis-Clark State
#5 - Beacons Serve as Champion of Character
#4 - Bushnell and GCF Launch Beach Volleyball Facility
#3 - Track & Field Sends Three to NAIA Championships
#2 - A Record-Breaking Year
#1 - Baseball Wins CCC Tournament