Press Releases

Graceland University announces the appointment on Stu Sherman to begin his new duties as an Associate Director of Development on June 1.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have Stu joining the development team,” says Sherri Kirkpatrick, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “He will be a tremendous asset. He is held in high esteem by Graceland constituents at all levels and will undoubtedly open new doors for Graceland.”

Sherman, who has been the head men’s volleyball coach for 11 years, a faculty member in the Health and Movement Sciences Division and the father of a 12-year-old son, is excited about the changes that are about to happen in his career.

“It’s been a gut-wrenching and difficult decision to take such a significant turn in my career,” says Sherman. “The demands of coaching made it hard to address the needs to be a good father to my son, so I feel this occupational adjustment is necessary. It’s going be quite a change from interacting with the athletes being a teacher and a coach, to helping raise the money that these kids depend upon to come to school at Graceland.”

As the head men’s volleyball coach, Stu Sherman has consistently produced winning seasons at Graceland since his arrival in 1993. Over the past 11 years, he has guided his teams to eight Top Ten finishes at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association’s Men’s Volleyball Championships. In 1998, Sherman’s Yellowjackets captured the NIRSA National Championship crown.

“We hate to lose Stu from our men’s volleyball program, but the Department of Athletics wishes him the best of luck with his new job in Development,” says Director of Athletics, Dan Hanton.

Mr. Sherman’s affiliation with Graceland volleyball started in 1981 as a player when he earned the conference’s Most Valuable Player award two years in a row. Sherman played from 1981 thru 1985 and graduated from Graceland in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. Stu went on to earn his master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports administration from Eastern Kentucky University, and has done some work on a Ph. D. in sport psychology at the University of Utah.

“Accepting this job in development allows me to pursue the passion I have for Graceland. This school is the place that I love more than anything in my life, except for my family. The impact I can have on Graceland is an exciting event for me, personally,” concludes Sherman.

“Stu’s personal knowledge about Graceland athletics will help form new bonds with many of our alumni and supporters,” says Kirkpatrick. “We are especially excited to welcome Stu to our team knowing he will continue to build on the strong ties, bonds, and commitments he has toward GU athletes and students.”

Stu and his son, Sterling, reside in Lamoni, Iowa.

The Graceland men’s volleyball team went 2-2 this weekend at the Park University Tournament in Parkville, Mo. Graceland defeated Kendall College (30-21, 24-30, 30-22, 30-24) and Cardinal Stritch (30-25, 30-28, 26-30, 30-23) but lost to Park University (27-30, 30-24, 28-30, 15-30) and Lindenwood (28-30, 14-30, 23-30).

The Jackets host senior night against Park University on Thursday, March 25, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The match will be televised on March 31 in the Kansas City area on Comcast Cable (channel 16 in Missouri, channel 20 in Kansas) at both 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and on Time Warner Cable (channel 4) at 10:00 p.m.

The Graceland University men’s volleyball team lost in four (30-27, 23-30, 26-30, 27-30) to the Missouri Valley College Vikings on March 11, 2004 in Lamoni, Iowa.

The Jackets play in the Park Invitational in Parkville, Mo. next weekend, March 19-20.

The Graceland University men’s volleyball team beat Cardinal-Stritch 3-0 (31-29, 39-37, 30-24), but lost 1-3 (23-30, 27-30, 30-28, 30-32) to St. Ambrose on Sunday, February 29 in the St. Ambrose Invitational.

The men travel to St. Louis, Mo. to play Missouri Baptist on March 5, 2004, with games beginning at 7:00 p.m. Graceland will host conference opponent Missouri Valley College on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Closson Center.

The Graceland University men’s volleyball team beat Peru State in three game 34-32, 30-23, 30-29 on February 26, 2004 in Peru, Neb.

The Yellowjackets next game is against Newman University on Friday, February 27, 2004. The Jackets also play on Sunday, February 29, 2004 in the St. Ambrose Tournament in Davenport, Iowa.

The Graceland University men’s volleyball team lost 1-3 (17-30, 30-28, 28-30, 27-30) to the Missouri Valley Vikings on Saturday, February 21, 2004.

The men will play road four games in four days this weekend, with Peru State College on Thursday, Newman University on Friday and Cardinal-Stritch University and St. Ambrose University on Sunday in the St. Ambrose Tournament.

The Graceland University men’s volleyball team lost 0-3 (19-30, 30-32, 19-30) to the Park University Pirates on Tuesday, February 17, 2004.

The men’s next game is Saturday, February 21 at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. That game starts at 7:00 p.m., immediately following the Graceland vs Missouri Valley basketball games.