Jul. 7—BEMIDJI — This fall will mark a special season for the Bemidji State women’s soccer program as it will be the 30th season. To celebrate the significant achievement, the Beavers will take a look back at some of the program’s greatest student-athletes to walk the pitch and halls at Bemidji State, honoring them with the announcement of its 30th Anniversary Team.
“I think this celebration is really all about celebrating the people who have made this program happen,” said head coach Jim Stone in a release. “From President Bensen and Athletic Director R.H. ‘Bob’ Peters birthing the program and bringing it to life to everyone that has ever had a hand in it; every administrator, coach, graduate assistant, assistant coach, athletic trainer, strength coach, student manager, parents of players, sports media, community members, fans, etc. and the list could go on and on.
“Ultimately, though, this is a celebration of every player who has ever put on the Beaver Green. It’s honoring the blood, sweat and tears that they all gave to make Bemidji State soccer special. From the pioneers who made our program happen in the beginning with very little support to the groups that have pushed us far into NCAA tournaments, this is all about recognizing them and the beautiful program that they have so selflessly built over these past 30 years.”
The list is comprised of 39 former and current BSU student-athletes who have made exceptional impacts on the program, upholding the standard set by over 300 alumni and 30 seasons. The celebration kicks off with the announcement of the 30th Anniversary Team’s first selection on Friday, July 11, with all 38 other selections to be announced each day leading up to the kick-off of the 2025 season on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The full list of players will then be announced Monday, Aug. 18.
Members of the 30th Anniversary Team were voted upon by alumni and vetted by the BSU coaching staff and athletic media relations office. Selections must have made a significant impact to the program and graduated with a degree from Bemidji State.
The entire anniversary team will then be honored during Alumni Weekend, Oct. 3-5, with a special halftime recognition during the Sunday, Oct. 5, match versus Minot State.
The anniversary season will also be celebrated with a special logo to commemorate the season. Patches of the logo will be worn on the Beavers’ jerseys during the season, and the logo will be highlighted through the team’s social media accounts. It was designed by Joey Mathes, a student within the Bemidji State Technology, Art and Design program, and was selected by a vote of alumni.
In 29 seasons, the Beavers have compiled 270 victories in 542 matches, boasting a .547 program winning percentage (270-219-53). The Beavers have won two Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season championships, two NSIC Tournament titles, one NCAA Central Region title and have made four NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer tournaments.
The program boasts six All-Americans, 15 scholar All-Americans and 110 All-NSIC selections. Stone has led the Beavers for 23 of the program’s 30 seasons and boasts a .631 winning percentage. He has guided the Beavers in 95.2% of the program’s victories and ranks 21st among active coaches in D-II with 257 career wins.