Tom Powell
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Tom Powell: Athletic Director Office Phone: 641-784-5106 e-mail: powell@graceland.edu |
Tom Powell
Vice President for Student Life / Dean of Students/Athletics Director
Tom Powell has been an essential piece of athletics at Graceland University from the time he was an athlete in the 1970s, through his years as athletic director to his current position as the vice president for student life and the dean of students.
As dean of students, Powell is a strong advocate for all Graceland students. He started the LEAD program at Graceland and helped develop the concept for the CAP center which offers services to students in career planning, academic advising and personal counseling. He initiated the conferences and events effort along with partnering with Sodexho to be Graceland's food service provider. Powell was influential in beginning such traditions as the fall semester's Caroling and Cakes and Final Fling in the spring.
In addition to his current role, Powell has held various positions on the Graceland campus including faculty member in the education department, director of athletics, football offensive coordinator, baseball head coach and winter term sponsor.
In his 20 years as director of athletics at Graceland, Powell was instrumental in hiring nearly all of the coaches who are currently in the athletics department. Powell was involved with the improvement of facilities including the hardwood basketball court and synthetic floors in the Closson Center, the establishment of the all-weather outdoor track and a weight room. Powell initiated the soccer, athletic training and sports information programs to Graceland and later drew the plans for the development of intramural and soccer practice fields on campus. Under the guidance of Powell, a scholarship system was initiated for Yellowjacket athletes and the Athletic Hall of Fame was unveiled. In 1990, Powell was surprised with an induction into this Hall of Fame for his athletic and administrative accomplishments as a Yellowjacket.
Prior to his arrival at Graceland, Powell coached football in Boulder, Co. for seven years. In three consecutive seasons, Powell helped lead Fairview High School to two state championships and one second place finish, along with first and second place in conference championships. His high school football coaching record was 69-8-1, and in baseball Powell's teams were 228-61.
Powell graduated from Graceland in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation. Powell was a four-year starter in baseball and football, earning All-American and all-conference awards, including the Rawlings "Big Stick" award as one of the top three hitters in American collegiate baseball. He played semi-pro baseball with the Slater Nighthawks and the Colorado Nuggets, and worked out with the Dallas Cowboys. In baseball he tried out with the Reds and the Royals, and was drafted by the Seattle Pilots.
At Graceland, Powell was an active student on campus, serving as a house president, the two-year president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a member of Primary Court.
Tom, a graduate of East Des Moines High School, and his wife Cheri currently reside in Lamoni, Iowa. They enjoy spending time with five daughters and their husbands, as well as four grandchildren.
