Graceland Yellowjackets
Graceland Yellowjackets | |
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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 |
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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