Success looks different as a Royal

There were a few things that were core to childhood for Aaron Ellingson ’23 GS’24: sports, hard work, and kindness. 

As the middle child of three growing up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Ellingson spent most of his time outside with his sisters and neighbors. And as he remembers it, there was almost always some kind of a ball or puck flying between them. He was a dedicated athlete from the jump, but at home, it was made clear that there was more to sports and life than winning. 

“My parents set a great example of how to lead well and be an adult,” Ellingson says. “They’re both extremely hard workers, and they modeled the importance of doing what’s right even when you’re alone or culture is telling you to do something else. At the time, I was probably mad when they would say ‘no’ when everyone else was doing something. But looking back, I realize how cool that was. They were great leaders of the family.” 

As a vocal Christian and three-sport athlete in high school, nearby Bethel was almost a given. At an overnight football recruiting event his senior year—and with a nudge from Offensive Coordinator AJ Parnell ’05—Ellingson felt an overwhelming sense that it was not just a logical choice, but that God was clearly calling him to campus.

It was an odd time to step into the Bethel community, to be sure. The football season was canceled that year due to COVID-19, many classes were online, and Ellingson and his teammates were forced to do what they could to stay connected and active without spending much time together. Ellingson dug into his studies, majoring in business and declaring dual emphases in finance and business analysis and analytics. 

When he finally did get to hit the field as a Royal, Ellingson built a name for himself, racking up 1,765 rushing yards and 24 career touchdowns across four winning seasons. In 2023, he was named to the All-Region and First Team All-Conference teams. He also got involved in Bethel’s BUILD program, becoming the lead mentor on a team of learning assistants for students with intellectual disabilities. He’d attend independent study sessions in BUILD and assist with homework and transportation to internships. Off-campus, he’s been a teaching assistant for students at Elizabeth Hall Elementary School in North Minneapolis and a huddle leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He’s also volunteered with Basilica YES (Youth Engaged in Service), Feed My Starving Children, and as a camp coach for youth football and baseball. 

When Ellingson became Bethel’s 18th Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® member and 12th consecutive nominee, Bethel became tied for the second-most honorees ever from any single university, matching Kentucky and following only Georgia—both much larger programs. The award, and the related Wuerffel Trophy, “recognize college football athletes for their good works off the field and their unwavering commitment to community service." It’s an impressive stat, one that illustrates that there’s a whole lot more going on with the Royals than scoring points and winning games. For Ellingson, building up young people is simply a way to use his gifts and give back after so many have built him up. Looking back on his high school and college careers, he sees how the receiving and the giving have made a huge difference in who he’s become. 

“It is truly remarkable how the Lord has worked in my life. When you’re 18 to 22, you’re in some of the most formative years of your life. You gain independence in practical ways, but also learn how to live. Your character develops,” Ellingson says. “The relationships I’ve built at Bethel are stronger and will last longer than any other relationships I’ve had. Other than following Jesus, choosing to come to Bethel was the best decision I’ve ever made. Doing all these things while strengthening your relationship with the Lord is so great. It has life-long value.”

This fall, Ellingson is maintaining his extra year of football eligibility—brought on by the cancellation of the 2020 season—by pursuing a Certificate in Leadership Foundations through Bethel’s graduate school. The semester’s comparatively open schedule has given him a unique opportunity to dedicate nearly full-time hours to his internship at First Resource Bank, where he hopes to land a position in credit underwriting after this semester.

It’s also given him a unique vantage point and a position of leadership on the team during its first season without Bethel’s storied former Head Coach Steve Johnson. Commemorated in the four-part documentary “A Royal Family,” Johnson’s unique approach to coaching has left a profound mark on Ellingson and his teammates. 

“It’s definitely weird not having him around. He has a huge personality, and he’s definitely missed. But I don’t think the culture of the team has changed at all. It’s a huge testament to the type of program he helped establish,” Ellingson says. “At the end of the day, what’s so cool about Bethel football is they’re training us to be future husbands, dads, and men out in the world. You get four years here, and then you have the rest of your life to live. Winning is fun. But there’s a lot more value in preparing yourself well for the rest of your life.”

The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is given to one of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members, selected by a national voting committee and a fan vote. The 2024 recipient, who will also be recognized as the Good Works Team captain, will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 12 on ESPN.

Follow the Royals in the playoffs

This Saturday, November 23, at noon, Bethel takes on the Coe College Kohawks of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at home at Royal Stadium through an at-large bid in the DIII NCAA Playoffs. It’s Bethel’s fourth consecutive postseason run, but the first time playing at home since 2018. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, and tickets are available online.

Become a Royal

Bethel has 18 varsity athletic teams with impressive records. But beyond that, Royals are young men and women who are pursuing their God-given passions in community with one another. Here, you can win in your sport and in life, and we’d love to have you as part of the team.

Learn more