University of Minnesota Athletics
Bethke Signs First WPS Contract in Minnesota History
2/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS -- Former All-Big Ten honoree Katie Bethke has signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Beat of the Women's Professional Soccer league, making the forward the first Minnesota alumni to sign a WPS contract in program history. The WPS is the highest level of women's professional soccer league in North America, and the league features many of the world's top players.
"I am ecstatic about becoming a part of the Atlanta Beat family, and I could not ask for a better atmosphere, coaching staff and facility," Bethke said. "I cannot wait to get the season rolling and show the WPS the quality Atlanta will be bringing to the field this year."
A three-time All-Big Ten honoree, Bethke ended her college career as one of the most decorated Gophers in school history. The Eau Claire, Wis., native ranks second all-time at Minnesota with 32 career assists and is among the top ten in career points (84, 5th), goals (26, 8th) and shots (194, 6th).
As a senior in 2010, Bethke led the Gophers to their second Sweet Sixteen appearance in three years after helping the team to its first-ever appearance in 2008 - the same year Minnesota won its first Big Ten Championship since 1997.
In 2010, Bethke's 13 assists tied for the sixth most in Division I soccer while her three postseason goals were tied for second most in the NCAA tournament. Pacing the Big Ten's most productive offense, Bethke led the conference in assists and finished second behind Illinois' Vanessa DiBernardo by just two points for the conference lead with 25. In her final year of college competition, Bethke earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors and was named to the 2010 NSCAA/Performance Subaru NCAA Division I Women All-Great Lakes Region Team.
"Katie Bethke has been instrumental to the success of Minnesota soccer, and it is an honor for her to be the first member of the Gophers family to sign a WPS contract," Minnesota head coach Mikki Denney Wright said. "We wish her the very best as she continues what will undoubtedly be a successful career."
Bethke is currently competing with the U-23 United States Women's National Team in the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain. The U.S. U-23's will compete against England, Norway and Sweden from February 21- March 2, 2011.
About the Atlanta Beat
The Atlanta Beat joined Women's Professional Soccer as one of two expansion clubs in the 2010 season. Atlanta entrepreneur T. Fitz Johnson secured the rights to the Atlanta team in September 2008 before the club officially became a WPS franchise on June 18, 2009. The Beat play all WPS home games in Kennesaw, Ga. at KSU Soccer Stadium, the world's only women's soccer specific stadium of this magnitude. Atlanta's new team takes on the same name as the market's former Women's United Soccer Association club which was the only WUSA team to reach the playoffs in every season. The Beat's colors are Ferrari Red, Championship Gold, and Black.
