The Terrible Swedes • Coach Ray Hahn • Dr. Ted Kessinger
In 1902, Dr. Carl A. Swensson, president of Bethany College, hired Bennie Owen as coach of the Bethany Swedes football team. He developed an awesome team that demolished all opponents, including the University of Oklahoma and Kansas State University, leading to an undefeated season in 1904.
The team attracted national attention and became known as "The Terrible Swedes," a nickname that is still popular for the Bethany Swedes athletic teams today.
Following the 1904 season, Coach Owen left Bethany to become the coach of the OU Sooners where he became a successful coach and director of athletics. Owen Field at OU is named for him.
Coach Ray D. Hahn spent 50 years involved with Bethany College athletics, campus life and the community. He came to Bethany in the fall of 1938 to coach football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball and golf, as well as to serve as athletic director.
Except for a leave of absence during the war years (1943-1945), he spent the rest of his life here. He retired in 1954 after 36 years of coaching and was named Professor Emeritus in Physical Education. His total coaching career spanned 50 years.
In 1961, the sports center was named the Ray D. Hahn Physical Education Building in recognition of his service
this page online
Legendary Coach Ted Kessinger (known to all as Coach "K") arrived in the fall of 1976 and proceeded to coach 28 consecutive seasons of winning football at Bethany College. He was the winningest coach at any level of the NAIA, bringing much nationwide attention to the college and the town.
Coach "K" received many honors during and after his coaching career which ended in 2003. He was inducted into the Bethany College Hall of Honor in 1999, the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
To Coach "K," coaching was more than just winning and losing. He sought to guide student-athletes in their choices for spiritual, academic, career and life goals as he coached to instill good moral values and character traits.
Erected by Lindsborg Quarterback Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 38° 34.93′ N, 97° 40.088′ W. Marker is in Lindsborg, Kansas, in McPherson County. Along the Valkommen Trail, between the trail's northern terminus and Swensson Avenue, and about 200 yards east of the Bethany
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bethany College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Messiah Chorus (approx. ¼ mile away); 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Birger Sandzén (approx. 0.3 miles away); Messiah Lutheran Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Carl Aaron Swensson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dag Hammarskjöld (approx. 0.3 miles away); Womans Missionary Society (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lindsborg.
Also see . . .
1. Benjamin Gilbert Owen Bio. (Submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. "College Football in Kansas," in Kansas Historical Quarterly, by Evans (1940). (Submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Ray Hahn Bio. (Submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Ted Kessinger Bio. (Submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
5. Bethany Swedes Official Athletic Website. (Submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
