White made mark at Bethany, community

Glenn White ('75) was a member of what, perhaps, might be the most storied men’s soccer team to put on the Bethany Red and White. And for those that understand Bethany’s soccer history, this team would be considered elite. The 1973 team ended the season with a 15-1 record and captured third place in the NJCAA National Tournament. In 2016, the group was honored as a Bethany Hall of Fame “Team of Distinction.”

White was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer after suffering a stroke on April 19, 2020. He passed away on April 30 at his home after a difficult hospital stay.

White met his wife, Heidi (Humburg), of 44 years at Bethany, and the couple made their home near Alexandria, Minnesota, where he spent most of his career in business management. But it was Glenn’s love for the game of soccer where he was able to make a significant impact on the community. He loved soccer and focused his gifts through service as a founding board member of the Alexandria Area Soccer Association (AASA). Glenn’s involvement, together with other community members brought soccer to Alexandria families beginning in 1996. Several greater Minnesota communities modeled the development of their soccer programs after the work he pioneered in Alexandria. White served across a variety of roles including AASA Board

Member, President, Alexandria High School JV and Varsity Boys Soccer Coach, Youth Soccer Coach, and Certified Soccer Referee. He was known to have a leadership style that was steady, diplomatic, and calm.

It was a tight-knit group of athletes that made up the 1973 Bethany Vikings soccer team. Perhaps that’s why an overwhelming showing of support for their teammate, Glenn, at the time of his illness and passing should not come as a surprise. Bethany Teammate Scott Eckberg presented a memorial gift from his teammates along with a jersey worn by the 1973 team to Heidi at the couple’s home shortly after White’s passing. The gifts, along with other memorials for White, will be directed to two funds on the Bethany campus in his memory and the 1973 team’s honor.

Heidi and Glenn White

Submitted photo