Al Beitler, Greenbelt, Md., was a member of the Bluffton baseball team from 1973-76. Beitler was a pitcher who also compiled what remains the second highest Bluffton batting average in a season, going 17-for-34 (.500) at the plate in 1976. Beitler earned first-team All-Hoosier-Buckeye Conference honors and was named to the NAIA All-District Team.

He graduated in 1976 with a 3.9 grade point average, was nominated to the Pi Delta Society and named the Most Outstanding Sociology Major his senior year. Beitler received a master’s degree in peace studies from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1982 and a master’s in social work in 1995. He has worked at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va., as the minority achievement coordinator.