Graceland Yellowjackets
| Graceland Yellowjackets | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Graceland University |
| Association | NAIA |
| Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Athletic director | Joe Worlund |
| Location | Lamoni, Iowa |
| Varsity teams | 18 (10 men's and 8 women's) |
| Football stadium | Huntsman Field |
| Basketball arena | Closson Center |
| Baseball stadium | Chase Stadium |
| Softball stadium | HMP Stadium |
| Soccer stadium | John Rasmussen Soccer Complex |
| Mascot | Sting |
| Nickname | Yellowjackets |
| Fight song | Graceland Forever |
| Colors | Blue and black[1] |
| Website | www |
The Graceland Yellowjackets are the athletic teams that represent Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Graceland competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). Over 50% of the students on Graceland's Lamoni campus are student athletes.[2]
Sports[]
| Men's sports | Women's sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross Country |
| Cross country | Golf |
| Football | Soccer |
| Golf | Softball |
| Soccer | Track and field† |
| Track and field† | Volleyball |
| Volleyball | |
| Wrestling | |
| † – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor | |
A member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Graceland University sponsors teams in ten men's and eight women's varsity sports.
Football[]
In 2005, just four years after completing a season of 0–10, the Yellowjackets won their first HAAC championship title since 1975 and qualified for the NAIA national championships for the first time in the school's history.[3] Herbert Goodman (1998-1999), and Jeff Criswell (1983-1986) went on to play in the NFL. Jerome Messam (2007-2009) as of 2018 plays in the CFL. The coach as of 2017 for the Yellowjackets was Marc Kolb.[4]
Basketball[]
In 2018 the men's basketball team won the NAIA Division I National Championship. This was the Yellowjackets first appearance in the tournament.
School songs[]
The school's fight song, Graceland Forever, was written by Warren McElwain in 1925.[5] The school's alma mater was written by Roy A. Cheville in 1926.[5]
Notable alumni[]
- Jeff Criswell – offensive lineman for Indianapolis Colts (1987), New York Jets (1988–1994) and Kansas City Chiefs (1995–1998)
- Herbert Goodman – running back rushing for over 2,000 yards; current professional mixed martial arts fighter[6]
- Caitlyn Jenner – 1976 Olympic gold medalist, who was also selected by the Kansas City Kings in the 1977 NBA draft despite not having played ball for Graceland; Jenner remains the school's only draft pick by any major pro sports league
- Kevin Souter – Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer
- Jerome Messam – running back for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League
References[]
- ^ "Graceland Identity Manual". August 18, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ Athletics
- ^ HAAC Championships by School (Football)
- ^ Staff directory
- ^ a b "Graceland Traditions & Trivia". Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ^ "Herbert Goodman MMA Bio". Retrieved August 28, 2017.
External links[]
- Graceland Yellowjackets