While running, the deeper breaths you take the better. “Thinking about breathing helps slow it down,” said Bethany Blomquist, who has coached track & field and cross country for more than a decade and was a two-time Big West Champion in the steeplechase as a student athlete. “Some of my favorite memories as a part of coaching include running alongside student athletes on recovery run days,” she said. “We go out to run a few miles, and have some of the best conversations while doing so.” Conscious of her breath, surroundings, and good company, Blomquist’s approach to running is similar to her approach to life: take it in and give the glory to God.
Originally from Huntington Beach, Calif., Blomquist was recruited to run track & field and cross country at UC Santa Barbara. “I absolutely loved my experience, especially since I got plugged into Fellowship of Christian Athletes, found my community, and got to compete at the highest level,” she said. As a math major, Blomquist initially planned on teaching high school math while coaching. She discovered she wanted to coach at the collegiate level though, so after graduating Blomquist began assistant coaching at UCSB and working within their athletics department.
In 2012, Blomquist heard about Azusa Pacific University through Preston Grey, who was involved in Athletes in Action, an athletics mission organization. An assistant coaching position had opened, and the more Blomquist looked into APU’s athletic programs, the more she felt led to pursue her calling at a faith-based institution. “Putting together my competitive spirit and my faith in Christ to disciple, mentor, and lead student athletes was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Blomquist has served as assistant athletics director for internal operations since 2021. Moving into an administrative role allows her to implement her years of experience on the field to assist coaches behind the scenes. Blomquist completes a variety of business operations, like booking hotels and airfare for athletic competitions. Her role as senior woman administrator is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) designated role to ensure a female voice is represented in athletic decisions.
At the heart of what she loves most about her job, Blomquist is firm in striving to embody service leadership. She enjoys joining her colleagues as they reach their goals with students, providing them with the resources they need while simultaneously having meaningful discussions about faith.
Another role that Blomquist cherishes is getting to contribute to Night of Champions, an annual youth ministry event that draws together athletes and artists to share the Gospel at an evening of fun and fellowship. “I’ve been helping put together Night of Champions since I started working at APU, and it’s one of my favorite things because not only do we get to serve youth in the community, but we get to pour into APU as well.” Blomquist loves getting to know fellow colleagues across APU, collaborating with departments outside athletics to create an enriching experience for many.
Blomquist met her husband Dave at APU. He is the head coach of the men’s soccer team. The Blomquists are parents of two girls: Emery (4-years-old) and Stevie (1-year-old), who both love rooting for the Cougars. As a family, they spend as much time as they can outdoors and with relatives.
Her love for Christ, running, and building community have led Blomquist to live out her calling at APU, and she couldn’t be more grateful.