Press Releases
2004-05 Recruits
Click here for 2004-05 men's basketball recruits10-21-04 Graceland Men’s Basketball Participates in NABC Reading Program
The Graceland University men’s basketball team participated in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Reading Program last week when the men went read to students in the Lamoni school system. The men started the day reading to the students, then the students had their chance to show their skills by reading to the Yellowjackets.Following the time spent in the classroom, the Jackets played basketball with the students and held a stunt show of dribbling and dunking exhibitions.
The men’s basketball team opens the 2004-05 season next Monday, November 1 at 8:00 p.m. against Waldorf College in the Closson Gymnasium.
The NABC Reading Program is an annual national literacy program sponsored by The National Association of Basketball Coaches. Players and coaches from the NCAA, NAIA, and Junior College ranks will be visiting selected elementary schools in their area to promote the importance of reading and education to elementary aged children.
“We think this is a great way to serve young people,” said Jim Haney, NABC Executive Director. Charlie Brock, head men’s basketball coach at Springfield College and Chairman of the NABC Academics Committee said “To have the college coaching community involved with such an important educational issue truly provides a winning combination.”
The NABC Reading Program was founded to assist the literacy movement in America. The program hopes to motivate and encourage children to read for enjoyment as a lifelong practice. The program will also allow collegiate basketball players to serve as needed role models to the youth of their community.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches was founded in 1927 and currently claims approximately 5000 members from NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, junior college, and high school. Since its inception, the NABC has continually worked to further the best interests of the game of basketball as well as the players and coaches who participate in the sport.
07-02-04 Quinn Completes Professional Development Series for Basketball
The National Association of Basketball Coaches announced that Graceland Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ted Quinn has successfully complete the 2004 NABC Professional Development Series (PDS) certification requirements as outlined by the NABC Board of Directors.Quinn, who is in his third season with the Yellowjackets, will also be participating in the inaugural PDS in San Antonio, Texas.
According to the NABC, the PDS was created last season to assist the overall development of their member basketball coaches. The PDS will be a comprehensive, on-going continuing education program for basketball coaches of all levels. The focus of the program is to develop well-rounded basketball coaches on a professional (on and off the court) and personal level. The elements of the PDS clinics are: 1) Coaching Development, 2) Personal Development and 3) Recruiting. The PDS clinics will be conducted annually at the NABC Convention.
In addition to coaching basketball at Graceland, Ted serves as the Assistant Director of the LEAD Program.
Before coming to Graceland, Quinn served as the top assistant at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D. Quinn helped guide Mount Marty College to a three year record of 50-41 while working with three All-American players and seven Academic All-Americans.
06-08-04 Yellowjacket Basketball Camp Attracts Local Youth
Click here for photosGraceland’s Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ted Quinn and 14 Yellowjacket basketball players coached skill development to 29 local youth at a recent Yellowjacket basketball camp held in Lamoni, Iowa.
Quinn and his assistants coached a fundamental day camp for athletes from first grade to sixth grade, covering eight basic basketball skills, including footwork, passing and receiving, ball handling and dribbling, shooting instruction, individual and team defense, individual offensive moves, team offensive movement and listening skills.
Young athletes were divided into age groups and designated to two staff coaches. During the day camp, the athletes moved among stations throughout the gym, working on each of the eight basic skills. With a 1:3 player to coach ratio, staff worked to develop a love for the game and a team attitude in each of the campers.
For lunch Coach Bill Dudek cooked hamburgers and hotdogs, followed by a watermelon feed, for all participants at the camp.
Guest clinician Laura Pollard, Graceland’s women’s basketball head coach, added four themes of how to become a better basketball player: head, heart, desire and teamwork. Pollard stressed the importance of teamwork as opposed to the individualistic play of each athlete.
The camp ended with presentation of awards to the winners of the free throw, passing, dribbling and shooting competitions. All participants at the day camp received a one-on-one instruction, a Yellowjacket basketball and a T-shirt.
Graceland’s next camps are team camp shootouts held in July:
Shootout 1 -- Junior High Girls -- July 9
Shootout 2 -- Varsity/JV Girls -- July 10-11
Shootout 3 -- Junior High Boys -- July 16
Shootout 4 -- Varsity JV Boys -- July 17-18
Please contact Ted Quinn at 641-784-5070 or tquinn@graceland.edu for more information.
04-02-04 Burrell All-American Scholar-Athlete
The NAIA honored Yellowjacket forward John Burrell to the 2004 Daktronics-NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete men’s basketball team. Burrell holds a 3.9 GPA in physical education.Burrell, a six-foot-four-inch junior, played in 29 games this season, averaging 2.8 points per game shooting 38 percent from the field. He also had 19 assists and 53 rebounds this season.
Last year, Burrell was a Heart of America Athletic Conference, Region and All-American Scholar-Athlete for Graceland University in both basketball and football.
The All-America Scholar-Athlete honor is presented to collegiate athletes with at least a 3.5 grade point average and are of junior status.
03-10-04 Quinn Named Associate Head Coach at Graceland University
On Wednesday, Graceland University Director of Athletics Dan Hanton named Ted Quinn the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the Yellowjackets. Ted has spent two years as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach under Head Coach Rich Harrop.“First of all, I think it is a great opportunity for Ted to be in the position he is in,” says Hanton. “We feel he will be a great asset in helping guide the future of the men’s basketball program.”
Before coming to Graceland, Quinn served as the top assistant at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D. Quinn helped guide Mount Marty College to a three year record of 50-41 while working with three All-American players and seven Academic All-Americans.
Ted also served as a head coach at Wakonda High School for two years. While there, his teams earned District 8B Runner-Up, six All-Conference Awards and a First Team All-State Award.
Quinn is a 1992 graduate of Highmore High School, a 1997 graduate of Mount Marty College with a bachelor’s degree in history education, and a 2001 graduate of the University of South Dakota with a master’s degree in athletic administration and sports psychology.
In addition to coaching basketball at Graceland, Ted will continue his duties as the Assistant Director of the LEAD Program.
Ted, his wife Jackie and his daughter Jenna Kate reside in Lamoni.
02-22-04 Lynch Only Yellowjacket Selected to HAAC Basketball Team
Junior guard Matt Lynch was the only Graceland Yellowjacket to be selected to the Heart of America Athletic Conference Team for the 2003-04 season. Lynch is a third team pick.Lynch, originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, but attended high school in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, averaged 15.3 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 3.1 assists per game for the 2003-04 Yellowjackets.
Some of Matt’s season highlights include scoring 35 points against the Franciscan University on Nov. 15, a game in which he hit 5-6 three-point shots--shooting 11-14 in overall field goals (78.6%)--made 8 free throws and grabbed 9 rebounds. Lynch, a five-foot-nine-inch guard, had 11 rebounds and 7 assists against Avila University on Feb. 16. Against Haskell Indian Nations on Nov. 30, Lynch had his season-high five steals.
Lynch was also a third-team selection for the 2002-03 season.
Graceland finished the season 9-23 overall and 4-16 in the conference.
02-19-04 Chalk Up Another Loss for Basketball
The men’s basketball teams at Graceland University lost to Culver-Stockton on February 19, 2004 in Canton, Mo.The men were led by Matt lynch who had 20 points and 6 steals. The Yellowjackets were outscored in the first half 26-58 but put up a fight in the second half scoring 41 points to Culver-Stockton’s 29. The second half comeback just wasn’t enough to overcome such a lead and the Yellowjackets lost 67-87.
The Jackets next game is against the Missouri Valley Vikings on February 21, 2004 at 4 P.M.
02-16-04 Yellowjackets Beaked by the Eagles
The Graceland men’s basketball team lost to the Avila Eagles in Kansas City, Mo. on February 16, 2004.The Yellowjackets swarmed into the Eagles nest hoping to steal a victory but the Eagles instinct to protect the nest was too much for the Jackets. Even with junior guard Matt Lynch putting up 24 big ones, shooting 10 for 17 from the field and 4 for 8 from three-point land with 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
At the half the Yellowjackets were down 25-35 even after shooting 52 percent from the field.
The Yellowjackets fought back in the second half outscoring the Eagles 43-41 but the burst was not enough to give the Jackets the W. The Jackets lost 68-74 to the Eagles.
The Yellowjackets next game will be against Culver-Stockton in Canton, Mo. on February 19, 2004 at 4:00 P.M.
02-14-04 Jackets Get Eighth Win of the Season
The Graceland University men’s basketball team beat Baker University 80-73 Saturday night in Lamoni to pick up their eighth win of the season and third win in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.Freshman Jason Holt dominated with 15 points and 11 rebounds, followed closely behind by senior Tom Renaud’s 14 points and eight rebounds. Matt Lynch added 12 points, three assists and two steals. Senior Andy Paine played in his first game since he broke his hand, scoring six points, hitting two three-point shots.
Prior to the men’s game, all players and their families were introduced, including seniors Brad Kephart, Andy Paine and Tom Renaud.
The Jackets will finish the season with three road games next week, playing Avila University on Monday, Culver-Stockton College on Thursday and Missouri Valley College on Saturday.
02-09-04 Jackets Try to Sting the Lions
The Graceland men’s basketball team took on the Lindenwood Lions in St. Charles, Mo on February 9, 2004.The Yellowjackets were looking to make it a season sweep against the Lions.
Junior guard Chad Holstrom led the charge shooting 6 for 10 from the floor and 3 for 7 from behind the arc finishing with 17 points. The Jacket’s second in command was Matt Lynch finishing with 10 points.
After only being down by two at the half the Jacket’s came out with fire in their hearts and desire in their eyes. The Lions slowly put out the fire and eventually the Jacket’s could do nothing but watch the clock run out. When all was said and done the final score was 62-76 and the sweep was no more.
The Yellowjackets next game is against Baker University at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa on February 14, 2004
02-07-04 Graceland Falls to Evangel at Home
The Graceland University men’s basketball team lost to Evangel in a tight one on February 7, 2004 in Lamoni, Iowa.Senior Tom Renaud shooting 8 for 12 from the field and pulling down 9 rebounds with 3 assists led the Yellowjacket’s. Junior guard Matt Lynch also had a good game with 18 points and 5 assists. Lynch also shot 8 for 8 from the free throw stripe.
The Jackets went into the half with some momentum. Coming back from a 10 point deficit and almost taking the lead when a desperation half court shot by freshman Josh Dalsing at the end of the half just rimmed out and the jacket’s went into the locker room down 40-38.
In the second half the Jackets just couldn’t find a groove. Staying in the fight until the end the Yellowjacket’s just couldn’t overcome the lead losing to Evangel 73-79.
The Yellowjackets next game will be against the Lindenwood Lions on Tuesday February 9, 2004 in St. Charles, MO.
02-04-04 Jackets Snap Six-Game Losing Streak
The Graceland University men’s basketball team beat Central Methodist College 79-72 Monday night in Lamoni, Iowa.The Jackets went into the locker rooms up 44-36 at halftime, hitting 72 percent from the free throw line and 41 percent from the field. Graceland finished the game shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from behind the arc.
Junior Chad Holstrom had another stellar night from behind the arc, hitting five three pointers and ending the game with 17 points, four assists and five rebounds. Tom Renaud also scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked four shots. Jason Holt and Matt Lynch each scored 10 points and pulled down four boards.
Graceland travels to Kansas City, Mo. to play Avila University on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Jackets host Evangel University, from Springfield, Mo. on Saturday, February 7 at 4:00 p.m.
01-31-04 Yellowjacket Men Lose to Benedictine Ravens
The Graceland University men’s basketball team lost 80-95 to the Benedictine College Ravens Saturday night in Atchison, Kan. The Jackets are now 6-19 overall and 1-12 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.Graceland trailed by 16 points at halftime and outplayed the Ravens by one point in the second half to lose by 15 points to Benedictine. Coming off of a 7-9 three-point performance in the last game, Chad Holstrom score 19 points against the Ravens, hitting 8-8 from the free throw line. Matt Lynch added 17 points and four rebounds to the Yellowjacket attack.
Graceland hosts Central Methodist College Monday, February 2, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
01-29-04 Jackets Nearly Knock Off #6 Cardinals
Chad Holstrom’s 7-9 three-point performance wasn’t quite enough to upend the nationally ranked William Jewell Cardinals on Thursday night in Liberty, Mo. The Jackets lost 74-76 to the #6 ranked team in the NAIA-II.The Jackets trailed by two at the half and played an even second period to end the game down by two. Holstrom scored 21 points in treys, followed by Jason Vickers with 14 points,--hitting 9-10 from the free-throw line--six steals and five rebounds.
The Jackets (6-18) travel to Atchison, Kan. on Saturday to play Benedictine College (12-10) at 7:30 p.m. Listen to the game online at www.benedictine.edu.
1-24-04 Graceland vs MidAmerica Nazarene University
Graceland 67, MidAmerica 98The Graceland University men lost 67-98 to the MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers Saturday afternoon in Lamoni, Iowa.
Tom Renaud had 15 points and eight rebounds for the men, followed by John Burrell with 10 points and Jason Holt with eight points and eight rebounds.
1-22-04 Graceland vs Missouri Valley College
Graceland 62, Missouri Valley 73The Graceland University basketball men’s team suffered a loss 62-73 to conference foe Missouri Valley Thursday night in Lamoni, Iowa.
Matt Lynch scored 16 points for the men, closely followed by Keith VanNatta’s 14 points. Freshman Jason Holt grabbed 10 rebounds and scored four points.
1-17-04 Graceland @ Baker University
Graceland 54, Baker 74The Graceland men lost 54-74 Saturday afternoon in Baldwin City, Kan.
The men went into halftime down by one point, but couldn’t keep up the intensity in the second half, losing by 20 to Baker. Brad Kephart and Keith VanNatta each hit three treys, in the game for a total of 11 points each. Chad Holstrom added 10 points for Graceland.
1-10-04 Graceland @ Evangel University
Graceland 76, Evangel 77The Graceland men’s basketball team played an uptempo game with Evangel University, losing 76-77 in overtime on Saturday, January 10 in Springfield, Mo.
The Jackets lead most of the second half, but found themselves tied with the Crusaders when the buzzer sounded. In the overtime, Evangel took a quick five-point lead, so Graceland played the fouling game, forcing the Crusaders to make free throws. In the last play the Jackets’ shot was off the mark and the rebound was tipped until the game ended with Graceland down by one.
Mike Vipperman scored 17 points, hitting 4-8 three pointers, pulled down 7 rebounds and dished out three assists. Chad Holstrom scored 13 points, making 3-4 threes and shooting 5-7 overall. Tom Renaud also scored double digits with 10 and had five rebounds.
1-08-04 Graceland vs Avila University
Graceland 66, Avila 74Graceland’s men’s team played a hard-fought game, trailing by just one point at the halftime 30-31. The Jackets kept the game close the entire second half, but ended the game losing 66-74.
The Jackets had four players score in double digits led by Keith VanNatta’s 15 points followed by Tom Renaud with 14, Jason Holt scoring 12 and Mike Vipperman’s 10 points. Holt also grabbed nine rebounds.
1-05-04 Graceland @ Central Methodist College
Graceland 76, Central Methodist 7912-29-03 Graceland @ Dakota Wesleyan University
Graceland 60, Dakota Wesleyan 9712-28-03 Graceland @ SiTanka-Huron University
Graceland 83, SiTanka-Huron 7812-19-03 Graceland vs York College
Graceland 73, York 6012-11-03 Graceland vs William Jewell College
Graceland 65, William Jewell 66With four tenths of a second left in the game, William Jewell’s guard, Clint Underwood (Rogersville, MO) hit a three to beat Graceland 66-65 Thursday, December 11, 2003 in Lamoni, Iowa. William Jewell was ranked 7th in nation in the latest NAIA poll.
Junior guard Keith VanNatta (Warrenton, MO) lead the Jackets with 16 points and four rebounds. Junior guard Matt Lynch (Salt Lake City, UT) was right behind VanNatta in scoring with16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Senior forward Andy Paine (Johnston, IA) also scored double digits with 10 points.
Underwood and sophomore guard Cam Cooper (Liberty, MO) each scored 14 for the Cardinals.
The Jackets host York College next Friday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. before traveling to South Dakota for the Dakota Wesleyan Teammakers Tournament during the holiday break.
12-06-03 Graceland vs Benedictine College
Graceland 57, Benedictine 64The Graceland University men lost 57-64 to the Benedictine Ravens Saturday, December 6 in Lamoni, Iowa.
Despite going on a 20-0 second-half run, the men’s team couldn’t grab a win from the Benedictine Ravens. Matt Lynch scored 20 points in the game, dishing three assists and grabbing two steals. Keith VanNatta also scored in double-digits with 10. VanNatta also pulled down nine boards.
12-02-03 Graceland @ MidAmerica Nazarene University
Graceland 73, MidAmerica 88The Graceland University Yellowjacket men’s and women's basketball teams lost to MidAmerica University 86-58 and 88-73, respectively, Tuesday night in Olathe, Kan.
The women were led by Jessica Crockett with 13 points and nine rebounds. Casey Cole added 10 points and four steals to the cause.
Matt Lynch scored 18 points, and Keith VanNatta grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Jackets against the Pioneers.
Graceland hosts Benedictine College from Atchison, Kan. Saturday, December 6 at the Closson. The women's game is at 2:00 p.m. and the men tip-off at 4:00 p.m.
11-30-03 Jackets Hold On to Win
The Graceland University Yellowjacket men’s basketball team added another win to their record Sunday night in Lamoni with a 71-70 win over Haskell Indian Nations University.With Graceland up 71-70 and .3 seconds left on the clock, Haskell inbounded the ball under their own basket and could not convert on an attempted shot, allowing the Jackets to win the hard fought battle.
The game was a run-and-gun game, with both teams scoring in the fast break more than setting up the offense. Keith Van Natta led the Jackets in scoring with 18 points—hitting 3-4 three-pointers--added to his six rebounds and five steals.
Matt Lynch scored 13 points and had five steals, five rebounds and four assists. Andy Paine shot 50 percent from the field, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Graceland travels to Olathe, Kan. on Tuesday, December 2 to play MidAmerica Nazarene in the conference-opening double-header with the women. The women’s game is at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game is at 7:30 p.m.
11-25-03 Graceland @ Waldorf College
Graceland 75, Waldorf 9811-18-30 Graceland @ Quincy University
Graceland 52, Quincy 6511-15-03 Jackets Score 100 to Beat Franciscan Univ.
The Graceland University men's basketball team beat The Franciscan University 100-91 Saturday night in the Northwestern Pizza Ranch Tournament in Orange City, Iowa.11-11-03 Graceland @ William Penn University
Graceland 51, William Penn 6811-08-03 Waldorf College 72, Graceland University 93
The Warriors of Waldorf College (1-0) traveled to Lamoni, Iowa to take on the Yellowjackets of Graceland University (0-1) in basketball action Saturday night. The Jackets won 93-72.The first half was a back and forth battle which led to the Jackets going into the locker room at the half down by a score of 43-36.
The second half would prove to be a different story as the Yellowjacket defense was swarming. The Warriors were only able put 29 points on the scoreboard in the second half. The Jackets put up 57 of their own points and cruised to victory.
Offensively the Jackets had four players in double digits. Leading the way was Tom Renaud who had 24 points to go with his seven rebounds and three blocks. Matt Lynch had 18 points, 12 of which came from beyond the three point line. Chad Holstrom pitched in with 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Andy Paine rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points of his own.
The Jackets travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa to take on William Penn University at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11th.

