Bethesda University is a private Christian university in Anaheim, California. It was founded in 1976 by David Yonggi Cho. The university is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and it is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education of the State of California.[3][4][5]

Bethesda University
MottoGateway to the World[1]
TypePrivate
Established1976; 48 years ago (1976)
Religious affiliation
Christian
Academic affiliations
TRACSABHE
PresidentPan-ho Kim
Students399[2]
Location, ,
U.S.

33°50′32″N 117°56′29″W / 33.842341°N 117.941476°W / 33.842341; -117.941476
NicknameFlames
Sporting affiliations
NCCAA Division I – West
Websitewww.buc.edu

Athletics

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Bethesda University is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Their men's basketball team was a member of the now defunct Pacific Christian Athletic Conference (PCAC).[6] They currently have five intercollegiate sports teams made up of men and women's soccer, men and women's basketball, and baseball. The Lion Angels, as they are known, have enjoyed some success in athletics in the past few years. Both women's basketball and baseball have reached the NCCAA's national tournament championship game in 2015 and 2016.[7] Men's soccer has also made national tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016.

However, the most prominent accomplishment for their athletics program comes from the men's basketball team. In 2016 and 2021, BU men's basketball, led by Filipino coach Leo Balayon, became only the second non-NCAA/NAIA program in history to upset an NCAA Division 1 program twice when it defeated Cal State Northridge of the Big West Conference on two occasions.[8][9][10] They are the only program to accomplish this historic feat in the Western United States. Former men's basketball head coach Leo Balayon is the only coach in history to lead a non-NCAA/NAIA program to two upset victories against an NCAA D1 opponent.[11][12] Balayon is the first individual, born and raised in the Philippines, to become a head men's basketball coach in the United States.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Bethesda University". Bethesda University. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "Bethesda University Enrollment". Collegetuitioncompare. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "Member Colleges - Association for Biblical Higher Education". Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  4. ^ "TRACS Members". www.tracs.org. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  5. ^ "School Detail". Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "Blank Template". pcacwest.org.
  7. ^ "Bethesda University of California". Bethesda University of California.
  8. ^ "Tate, Smith help NCCAA-member Bethesda shock CSUN, 100-95".
  9. ^ "Bethesda University vs. Cal State Northridge - Game Summary - December 17, 2016 - ESPN".
  10. ^ "Bethesda University vs. Cal State Northridge - Game Summary - December 22, 2021 - ESPN".
  11. ^ "Tiny Bethesda University in Anaheim gives basketball players a second chance at playing". January 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "Daily Dirt - 8/22/22". August 22, 2022.
  13. ^ "Mike Magpayo becomes first NCAA Div. 1 head coach of Filipino descent". July 3, 2020.