- Ring Ceremony

April 4, 2007


Lamoni, IA- While the Graceland University men’s soccer team has been conducting their off-season training the past few months in preparation of defending their NAIA National Championship this upcoming fall, they took some time out on Wednesday evening to celebrate their historic season culminating with the awarding of championship rings.

Gathering at the Harpahm Heritage Chapel in the Higdon Administration Building, players, coaches, administrators, and a few special guests all came together for a small ceremony that included delicious food, a slideshow recapping the 2006 championship season, guest speakers, and concluded with the presentation of the championship rings.

Guest speakers included both Dan Hanton (Athletic Director), Tom Powell (Dean of Students) and David Yost. Yost, a Graceland University alumnus (65’) and former Yellowjacket basketball player, contributed a generous donation to the Graceland Athletic Department to help purchase the rings. Now living in Sonoma, California, Yost flew in for the ceremony and personally presented each ring to each player and coach.

“David loves Graceland and we are very fortunate to have special people like him still involved with the University, years after they’ve moved on, said Hanton. He’s a special friend and he helped make all this possible” continued Hanton.

Forty-six years since he first came to Graceland, Yost continues to have strong ties and appreciation for the student-athletes of today. “I’m just happy to see you all succeed at such a high level, and this is just a small token of appreciation in comparison to what you’ve accomplished”, said Yost.

As the 2007 Graceland men’s soccer team prepares to defend their title, they now have yet another memory of how truly special a championship season can be.

A special thank you and appreciation goes out to Mrs. Polly Joseph who was responsible for the food preparartion and setup of the rings ceremony

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For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Michael Brown, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mibrown@graceland.edu