Before leaving teaching and coaching to work for the RAND Corporation, where he helped develop and program a computerized air defense system for the U.S. Air Force in the mid 1950's, Clayton accepted a position at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. Three years as a player and two as the IU head coach sparked and forever cemented his love for the sport. Thompson remained active with the Yellowjackets and was assistant offensive line coach from 1980-1982.
return to top, Merle Harmon received his A.A. from Graceland in 1947, and his B.A. Neumann resides in Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband, Ed, and their two daughters, Malia and Kanoelani. return to top, Linda Louise Rowe graduated from Graceland in 1976 with a B.A. Kendall Williamson 2023 NFL Draft Profile - ESPN Graceland's football games were played at North Park and the bean field by the Administration Building was used for practice. A standout wrestler, C.R. Tom Powell graduated from Graceland in 1973 with a B.A. Eastern New Mexico University was his next stop, and his teams were ranked in the NAIA Top 20 for four consecutive years. In 1959 she began her Graceland career as an instructor of physical education for women at Graceland. In 1995, Jeff signed with the Kansas City Chiefs where he played until his retirement in 1999. The Yellowjacket's welcomed someone of Allen's ability with open arms. He came to Graceland in 1982 and was a 4-year starter for the Yellowjackets as an offensive lineman. After serving two years in the navy, he was back in the headlines as Graceland track and cross country star, setting conference records in the mile, mile, and two-mile. Overall, Coach Frain has captured 11 individual state championships and 6 state runner-ups along with 65 state qualifiers. During his playing career, Peck was selected First-Team Heart-of-America All-Conference and was twice selected All-District, NAIA District 15. Playing both tight end and tackle for the Bruins, he went on to play on the undefeated National Championship team as well as facing Michigan State in the 1955 Rose Bowl. During that time he was selected to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Val (Gima) Neumann, a native of Hawaii, was a standout setter for the Graceland College volleyball program from 1984-87. Returning to Graceland as a coach in 1979, Tom became the winningest basketball coach in school history in two years of coaching, and coached them to their only outright conference championship as a 4-year institution. The flexibility of Cara's athletic gifts truly shone in track and field where she excelled in the high jump and middle distance runs. Three of his teams have made the jump to the NAIA National Championships finishing 9th (1986), 5th (1993) and 9th (2002) respectively. After a strong showing at the national tournament, she was picked for the 1964 U.S. Olympic team, bound for Tokyo, Japan. During Christel's junior year, the Graceland track & field team placed second in the AIAW Regional Championship. Ralph L. Strait made the news as a star runner at Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon. NHL. Jenny currently serves as the head volleyball coach at Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana. During Syd's football career at Graceland he amassed 464 tackles, 6 interceptions, 3 fumbles recoveries, 10 forced fumbles, and 3 sacks. He swiped 35 bases in 36 attempts despite playing a limited schedule for the Jackets. The Van Wert, Iowa native inked a 2nd Team All-Missouri Collegiate Athletic Union award his junior season, and was honored with a 1st Team nod the next year in 1969. A standout volleyball, basketball, and track athlete throughout high school, Warner was a classic "Spec Brat" over her teenage summers. He earned four letters in football and wrestling as well as a letter in track in 1963. Parallel to his coaching achievements, Stew volunteers much of his time to better volleyball. 15 Seed Carroll. She continues to be an active member of the Riverton Kiwanis and Wyoming Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, having served on the Executive Board as the VP for Health and as the 1997 State Convention Manager. Gary was named District Coach of the Year in 1972 for his work with the wrestling program at Lee's Summit. QB; Senior; Illinois; Scouts Grade; Conference TBD; 2022 NCAA Football Stats. She was an All-American honorable mention selection in 1999 and named to the second team in 2000. Because of his performance at the National Decathlon Championship, Dr. Hutchins was selected by the US Olympic Committee shortly after graduation to be one of ten decathletes to train for the Munich Olympics in 1972. A two-year captain for the Jackets, Harney also served as president of Aaron House during his time at Graceland. Soccer . Team Round PK(OVR) CHI: 7: 1(218) 2022 NCAA Football Stats . In addition to receiving several honors as a Warrior, Alphie participated in the Wool Bowl in Roswell, New Mexico. He attended to the emotional as well as the physical needs of the players. Graceland runs in the Kaleikau family. Dan Hughes came to Graceland College in the fall of 1972 after graduating from Norwalk High School in Norwalk, Connecticut. Gerald E. "Jerry" Hampton received his A.A in 1952 from Graceland. After his time with the Goldeyes, Jones excelled with his hometown Baldur Regals, where he won consecutive provincial titles from 2008-2010 and a Western Canadian Senior Baseball Championship in 2009. Weldon and Johnny Tophman. He set many practical records, including 286 consecutive free throws (four-year average 99%) and 499 jump shots in a row from the head of the circle. Jackie made an immediate impact in both volleyball and softball. Cricket. She is grateful the softball coaches (, NAIA Guide for College Bound Students (PDF). As coach at Marymount College, he achieved a record of 285 wins, 56 losses in eleven seasons. Apply at http://graceland.eduand DM your highlights. In her second year at Graceland, Pam combined her basketball quickness, keen eye at the plate and shot put strength to become a dominate player on the Graceland Field Hockey Team coached by Graceland Hall of Fame Coach Betty Welch. The Laxtons own a financial services company and have two children, Bo and Josie. He was twice named all-conference offensive player in the Missouri Collegiate Athletic Conference and was named Graceland's most valuable lineman during his junior year and team MVP during his senior year. In 2007, Dan was selected as the Heart of America Athletic Conference "AD of the Year" and was recognized by the state of Michigan and Gatorade for his 40 years of coaching and athletic administration. The lights went up thirty minutes before the first night game. His 440 time of 46.9 in 1961 was the fastest ever run by an Iowa College or University student. Weldon. Connie played football for Graceland College from 1975 through 1978. Campuses are located in Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri. She earned an Associates of Arts with Liberal Arts major (65) and a Bachelors of Arts with Liberal Arts (Physical Education 67), where she graduated with Cum Laude honors. Later, in the U.S. Army, he played football while stationed in Germany. In football he was selected as both a HAAC all-conference player and an all-district player in 1977, he was voted the MVP of the 1977 homecoming football game and he was a member of the 1975 "Mineral Water Bowl" team (inducted 2006) coached by fellow Graceland Hall of Fame inductee Bill Dudek. In 1980 he retuned to Graceland as head of the varsity baseball program and offensive coordinator for football. He has aspirations if running a shelter for abused women and children in the future. Lynch has always exemplified what the Graceland brand stands for. return to top, Tom Powell graduated from Graceland in 1973 with a B.A. Other coaches who inspired Russ include Red Sanders and his staff, who coached the UCLA team to their National Championship and the Rose Bowl. McCracken also coaches golf at Ashland High School. She was also recognized during that campaign as District #15 Player of the Week and as a Russell Athletic All-American Second Team member. Dudek's senior campaign at Graceland was a season for the ages. Dava, beyond being named an honorable mention All-American, posted a 42-13 record as a Yellowjacket. As a freshman he started at inside linebackers and was named a second team All-District 15 and a second Team Heart of America Athletic Conference selection. In the state meet his senior year, he ran the mile in 4:26.7 to beat Dyrol Burleson, an extremely tough competitor who later broke the four-minute mile. In her junior year Dava led the team to the conference championship game against Lindenwood University, suffering a 3-2 extra-innings defeat. Bakersfield, California native Russell "Russ" Hampton came to Graceland in 1952 and made an immediate impact as a freshman for the Yellowjacket football team. The 1975 season proved to be a memorable one. Ken Cochran, a 1952 Graceland graduate, competed in Yellojacket football, basketball and tennis. She was the HAAC Player of the week two times and District #15 Player of the Week once. In 1962, he finished third in the nation (NAIA) in the 177 pound class and he was second in the nation in the 191 pound class in 1963. Jerry is only the 24th person in the USA Volleyball's 67 year history to be honored with this prestigious award. Dan arrived on campus in 1961. Jennie's accolades were numerous. Jerry and his wife Celia own an antique shop and furniture refinishing business in Independence, MO. Ross will be on campus to start the new year and meet personally with the team and assistant coaches to begin assembling his staff. After his playing days were over Rupe got his first job teaching physical education and health as well as coaching at Wayne Community Schools in Corydon, IA. The next year she came back with a vengeance qualifying for Indoor Nationals in the 1000 and the 4x800 and setting school records in the 1000, 1500 and the mile. Peck was selected by the San Diego Padres in June of that year in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball draft; however, he chose to attend college instead and made the move east to Graceland College, in Lamoni, Iowa. Graceland College (IA) Alumni Pro Stats. All rights reserved. Nowlin was the first wrestling coach at Graceland and was the head coach of baseball, tennis and track while serving as an assistant football coach throughout his tenure with the Yellowjackets. Billy Barns, an assistant to Sanders, was directly responsible for Russ's three college coaching jobs including Citrus Junior College, Washington State and Stanford. It was obvious to those that knew her, that Pam possessed the mental and physical skills, which would allow her continued success at the collegiate level. He is currently teaching in West Columbia, South Carolina, where he has been residing with his wife, Audrey, for the past 20 plus years, and they have an 18 year old daughter, Kristen. Dever was most successful wrestling at the 118 lbs. While at Graceland, Clayton also coached baseball for three years with assistant William Dudek. 2022 Football | Grand View Athletics Getting her start in track, Thomas joined the Chicago Comets track team and was soon traveling across the country for meets. Russell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1982 from Graceland, and completed his M.B.A at Rockhurst College in 1991. Gamet has been active with Graceland athletics throughout his adult life. All Player Colleges, High Schools . Dr. Carter's career at Graceland spanned 1946-60, during which time he coached varsity tennis and football; was head coach of basketball and track and field; and served as athletic director and chair of the health, physical education and recreation department. A member of the 1965 graduating class, he spent the next 33 years in Michigan, first as a member of the faculty and coaching staff in Brown City and as manager of the Booth Publishing Company, and completing the last twenty-seven years of his high school teaching and coaching career within the Port Huron Area School District. He earned letters in both sports at the university and was voted Captain and selected all conference on the baseball team his senior year. . His 26 years of network television broadcasting includes the World Series, Super Bowl, NCAA Basketball and Track and Field Championships, AIAW Swimming and Diving Championships, Winter Olympics, the Major League All-Star Game, and many bowl games. Jensen was married in 2016 and has one three-year-old daughter, as well as two step-daughters, ages 12 and 15. Diana Jensen, the daughter of Graceland alumni Ralph 67 and Phyllis 66 Jensen, was an outstanding high school volleyball player helping Linden High win the California Division IV State Championship in 1996. Rodeo Sat, Sep. 10. Coach Nowlin is committed to the idea at Graceland that emphasizes the importance of classroom performance before athletics. Graceland Uni Flag Football (@GracelandU_WFF) / Twitter In her junior year, 1989, Jennie earned All-Heart Of America Athletic Conference First Team, All-District #15 First Team, and All-Region First Team and NAIA All-American Second Team honors. In his 30+ years, Shelton missed just three football games. Lamoni, IowaJoined March 2022 451Following 184Followers Tweets Tweets & replies Media Likes Graceland Uni Flag Football's Tweets Pinned Tweet from the University of Northern Colorado, a M.S. 2021 Football Coaches | Grand View Athletics As a freshman, Tom averaged double figures in points scored and led the team in assists during a brilliant opening campaign. Stan and Julie have two children: Shane, 27 and Rashawn, 21.
return to top. As a junior, Spinks served as team captain and was named Most Valuable Defensive Player leading the team in sacks and tackles that year. After graduating from high school, Alphie attended Indian Hills Community College where he had a decorated junior college career, receiving All-Conference and 1. His four-year term includes the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Erwin also excelled in football, earning All-Heart of America Conference Honorable mention honors his sophomore year. Team. return to top, Charlie Seefeldt was a remarkable defensive player for the Yellowjacket football team from 1980-1983. Alphie is married to Kathy and they have four grown children; Christy, Jay, Matt, and Amanda . William "Duke" Dudek, a 1965 graduate holds Graceland record of 13 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Gary also received great success on the wrestling mat as well. He received his M.A. In football, during the 1983 season, he was ranked second in the country in interceptions. Find out more. His numerous achievements in the field of health, physical education and recreation, coupled with his lifelong dedication to helping young people develop physically, mentally and spiritually have earned him the honor and respect of those whose lives he has touched. His teams have also earned sectional titles and conference titles during his tenure. Carver added softball to her schedule during her sophomore year, earning All-Conference honors for her outstanding second base performance. In the state meet his senior year, he ran the mile in 4:26.7 to beat Dyrol Burleson, an extremely tough competitor who later broke the four-minute mile. He joined the Graceland Staff in 1959 and retired in 1973, faculty emeritus. from Indiana University, a B.S. Follow full coverage of Travis Bell during the 2023 NFL Draft on ESPN.com. He then worked as a salesperson before coming to Lamoni in 1970. Graceland Kicks Off Women's Flag Football Program