The Comets were an integrated team which, in the 1950s, imposed serious challenges for nationwide travel and brought Verneda face-to-face with the stark realities of segregated America. In the meantime, she taught English, history and girls physical education at Lamoni High School until 1930. Bruch's accolades began his junior year when he was an All-Heart of America Conference quarterback. Weldon is noted for coaching former world record holders Tim Moore and Jack Humphrey (high hurdles) and Jack Maugers (pole vault); Mike Mattox, U.S. Federation Decathlon Champion; Joe Rateste, holder of the National Junior College record in the high hurdles; and Dave Bahr, Bob Hutchins and Bruce Jenner, national decathlon champions. He founded Merle Harmon's Fan Fair a nationwide chain of over 100 sports gift shops. After limited playing time as a freshman, Dr. Hutchins began to produce with a vengeance starting in his sophomore year, increasing his statistics every year. Mike Lester was a two-sport athlete at Graceland University competing with both the men's volleyball and soccer teams. Russ dedicates the success of his athletic and coaching careers to the impact coaches had on his life. Gay Hughes, husband Mike and son Drew continues to live in Riverton, WY. In his second year as the head coach at Graceland, Harrop was selected as the 1991-92 Heart of America conference "Coach of the Year". in Education, majoring in Physical Education with a minor in Mathematics and Science. On the volleyball court, Lester helped guide his team to four national tournaments, which included two runner-up appearances and a fifth- and ninth-place finish. joined an impressive Yellowjacket lineup of grapplers and anchored the Graceland squad for four outstanding seasons. In game one of the Kings quarterfinals appearance in 1989, Davies scored a game-high 30 points in just 18 minutes. While attending Bakersfield High School, Russ starred in both football and basketball, was President of the Letterman's Club and was named "Best Student Athlete." The Coal Valley, Illinois, native attended Graceland from 1991-95, graduating with a bachelor's degree in social science. Wendi's outstanding performance in 1990 earned her the honor being named the Most Outstanding Female Athlete for the National Meet. Originally an 800 meter specialist, she was advised to participate in cross country to condition for track. He was a starter on that team, helping them earn a runner-up finish at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championships and was named to the all-tournament team. He earned letters in both sports at the university and was voted Captain and selected all conference on the baseball team his senior year. 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. Dr. Barney Parker has continued his success off the field. He toured with an All-Star Team called World Basketball Opportunities. Douglas has also spent time as the head coach of baseball and girl's basketball at I-35 High School in Truro, Iowa. His teams won several fourth army championships and Brush himself took the 213.5 lbs light heavyweight crown himself. He also represented Australia at the Olympics in 1980 and 1984, and the World Championships in 1982 and 1986. Some of her fondest memories were the endless stories and laughs shared during the road trips with her teammates. 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. Three of his teams have made the jump to the NAIA National Championships finishing 9th (1986), 5th (1993) and 9th (2002) respectively. Eastern New Mexico University was his next stop, and his teams were ranked in the NAIA Top 20 for four consecutive years. return to top. Graceland becomes one of the first Iowa NAIA schools to offer this emerging sport. He graduated from Graceland in 1973. In his junior year, Chaz received the Doc Hughes Defensive Player of the Game award for his stellar execution in the 1982 homecoming football game. Doctor Elmo Gamet decided to purse his interest in the medical field and served as Graceland physician from 1939 until 1974 and as the Yellowjacket football team physician from 1970 until retirement in 1980. return to top, Rich Harrop's collegiate athletic career started at Graceland in 1961. In addition to success at the high school level, Darrell has had 14 athletes continue on to wrestle at the college level, including 3 Division-I athletes and 2 Division-I All-Americans. Tom currently resides in Ashland, Oregon with his wife Bonnie of eighteen years. and Jasmine Chanson. Pam was a solid contributor at each. 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. Mr. Sherman served as a pilot for the U.S Navy and for TWA. Stew coached the Leatherneck men's volleyball club often facing off with the Yellowjackets in league championships. His son and daughter, Brad and Sarah, are Graceland graduates, and his mother, Carolyn Andrews Peck, attended Graceland in the 1940s. Powerful. He then set a school record at the University of Kansas by scoring 30 points in one half against Nebraska. After graduating, he went on to play one season in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the Maine Lumberjacks. return to top, Tom Powell graduated from Graceland in 1973 with a B.A. She is still athletically active and has won twelve medals in the first three years of the Iowa Games. The Yellowjacket's welcomed someone of Allen's ability with open arms. Gary was named District Coach of the Year in 1972 for his work with the wrestling program at Lee's Summit. From 1962-1966, Hal was an interim coach for the Yellowjacket tennis, basketball and football programs. A two-way contributor, Brush played offensive guard and defensive end. Top AV (since 1960): Jeff Criswell, 54 AV, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 6:21AM. Apply at http://graceland.eduand DM your highlights. While a Jacket Stan participated in both football and baseball. In her senior year, Wendi was an All-Conference selection as well as an All-District 15 selection. He earned his master's in biology and PhD in physiology and biophysics from Michigan State University. Adam Cavazos, Ethan De La Garza, Jose Ruiz, Michael Bermea and Ryan Garza are headed to Graceland from Santa Rosa High School to play football this fall - four of them also plan to play baseball - and it was all at the urging of de los Santos, who says "Graceland changed my life in a positive way, and I wanted them to have that same opportunity Stew represented the NAIA on the board of the American Volleyball Coaches Association for 17 years and was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2003. 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. He and his wife Robin have one son, Nathan Robert. Billy was Mr. Everything for the Yellowjacket nine, always floating near the top in virtually every offensive category. His 1968 team was undefeated. Dr. Clarence "C.R." While there, he was in charge of golf, swimming, archery, and boating facilities. In 1975, he joined the Graceland Football Staff as a volunteer coach during which time he has coached quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. Jenny currently serves as the head volleyball coach at Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana. He won 233 games in 11 years (1990-2000) as the head baseball coach. Glenn was named outstanding Graceland wrestler during his senior year and won the very competitive Graceland tournament in 1965. Pam was born in Leon, Iowa and attended Grand Valley High School where she excelled in basketball, softball and track and field. She was a four-year starter and leading scorer in basketball, sinking her 1000th point on February 6, 1986. He then set a school record at the University of Kansas by scoring 30 points in one half against Nebraska. During his time at Saint Mary's, Lester led the Cardinals to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoffs 11 times in the 16-year history of the post-season tournament, including each of the last four seasons. But at Graceland, Clayton blossomed into a quality performer who was the only freshman starter on a title contending Yellowjacket team under Head Coach Willie Gilbert. Over the timespan of 2003-16, Hoffman was known to many as the football mom who boarded the bus with the players, coaches, athletic trainers, etc., on Saturday mornings to travel to away games. From 1961-1969 he was head football coach at Westmar College where he compiled a 60-17-3 record. In 2003, Davies received eight votes in the NBL 25th anniversary all-time team. In 1981 he finished third in the nation in individual total offence with 259.8 yards per game and third in the nation in individual passing offence averaging 258 yards an outing. Stan lives in Corydon with his wife of 30 years, Julie. Joining the 1956 Pan American Games track team, Verneda got her first taste of international competition in the high altitude of Mexico City. While at Graceland, Clayton also coached baseball for three years with assistant William Dudek. He captured four Wheaton College Invitational Championships, where he was named outstanding wrestler in 1971 as well as the Southwest Missouri State and 1997 NAIA Iowa District Championships. He was head baseball coach for nine years. Coach Nowlin is committed to the idea at Graceland that emphasizes the importance of classroom performance before athletics. Men's Team - 5th | Women's - no Points. Harrop graduated from Graceland College in 1965 with a degree in physical education and health and a minor in biology. The next three seasons, he went on to become a leader and captain of the team. Stan Rupe came to Graceland via Davis County High School in Bloomfield, IA and then Indian Hills Community College. With only one division for women's track, the team competed against all universities and colleges. In 1994, Coach Hughes retired from coaching after 23 years. In the midst of his success on the basketball court, Casey also found time to receive All-State honors twice as a shortstop for the Lamoni baseball team. The basketball star saw success right from the beginning. With his wife, Phyllis and sons, David and Mark, Barnet gave up a scholarship to the University of Kansas and retuned to Graceland, which had become a four-year institution. Following graduation he was a member of the Cincinnati Red's minor league baseball Class A team in Texas for one year. The father of Georgia football player Devin Willock is seeking $2 million in damages from the Jan. 15 crash that . Hal, who has a deep passion for the Community of Christ, conducted prayers before practices and games for all of his athletic teams. Following a four-year term as the Executive Vice-President (1988-1992) of the United States Volleyball Association, Jerry's involvement in volleyball culminated when he was elected President in 1992. Glenn was also a three-year Letterman on the track and fielder team participating in the shot and discus for fellow Hall of Famce coach L. D. Weldon. The couple has three girls: Mychaell, Paetynn and Braelynn. Rupe transferred to Graceland where he thrived in the Jacket athletic scene. Jennie's accolades were numerous. return to top, Linda Louise Rowe graduated from Graceland in 1976 with a B.A. Three of his players- Shad Fish, Bill Maier and Chris Randall- went on to play professional baseball. Name: Andre Bird-Pierre Height: 6'4 Weight: 280 Position: DL College: Graceland University Twitter: @andrebirdpierre Diane Loving-Kyser came to Graceland from Overland Park, KS in 1963. During his freshman year, Tripp and his teammates were the Heart Basketball Conference Champions, posting an undefeated record at home. A three time captain, she helped to lead the Jackets to 53 victories over the course of her career, including a school-record 18 wins and a conference quarterfinals appearance during her senior year. return to top, Dennis Paul Thompson is a life-long resident of Lamoni and is currently the co-owner and manager of a local farm related business. He has two children, Kirt and Krisanne. Governor of the Utah Idaho Kiwanis civic organization; a sought-after public speaker on civic affairs often quoted by the media; community representative on the Idaho Statesman editorial board; and a Municipal Bond Specialist underwriting Idaho local government tax exempt bonds for schools, cities, counties and other local government agencies for two decades. After graduating from high school, Alphie attended Indian Hills Community College where he had a decorated junior college career, receiving All-Conference and 1st team All-NJCAA accolades in his sophomore year. Jackie Allen first came to Graceland University in 1995 following two years of collegiate play at Peru St. University. As a four-year member of "Weldon's Warriors", Graceland's cross-country team. Upon graduating, Gray decided to take a hiatus from athletics. in Social Work from Graceland in 1979. He is presently married and living in Cottonwood, Arizona, from which he dotes on his four children and three grandchildren. Since then he has established himself as a highly respected sports commentator, television personality, actor, producer, commercial spokesperson, auto racer, and as a dedicated supporter of organizations such as the Special Olympics and American Diabetes Association.