Graceland Comes Together for the Fab Four

Graceland University Men’s Basketball has had an incredible season. After making Yellowjacket history by winning the Heart Conference Tournament followed by the program’s first-ever appearance at the NAIA DI Men’s Basketball National Championship, the team will compete in the “Fab Four” Semifinals on Monday. [Graceland Athletics preview article]

To compliment this incredible season and an incredible team, has been an incredible amount of support from the Graceland family: fellow students, faculty, staff, administration, the local community, alumni, and family and friends. Graceland pride has connected people throughout the world at the tournament, on both campuses – Lamoni and Independence, and on social media.

Turnout at the Municipal Stadium in Kansas City has been tremendous. Crowds have gathered on the Lamoni campus for each tournament game as the Student Activities Office has streamed the entire tournament in the Memorial Student Center. Students came back to the Midwest early during their spring break to support the team. Even students in Guatemala helping to build a school over their break streamed the game online and cheered from afar.

Generous alumni provided free entry into the quarterfinals for students and prospective students Saturday, buying tickets for close to 100 people to watch the game and cheer for the Yellowjackets. A bus and several vans will depart the Graceland Lamoni campus Monday afternoon, carrying students, faculty and staff. Alumni have once again stepped up and will pay for these students, as well as prospective students, to enter Monday’s semifinals. Individuals with their student ID can find the Graceland representative at the box office.

Finally, a pre-game tailgate party is being planned by the Alumni Programs Office for Monday at 3:30 p.m. in the 16th floor ballroom of the Aladdin Hotel across the street from the Municipal Auditorium. These efforts and experiences provide as many people as possible the opportunity to display the Power of Together in support of not just a basketball team, but of an entire community.

WATCH the Championship recap video here.