Scholar Athletes

BRING THE STING Morgan McCullough ’26 and Lawson Mulder ’28 find balance between studies and sports.

At a university where approximately three-quarters of students compete in varsity athletics, the message is clear: what happens on the field and in the classroom are fundamentally connected. The same discipline, leadership, and teamwork that win games also drive academic achievement. And Graceland is building a model where one reinforces the other, day in and day out.   

In 2024–25, the university earned academic honors across nearly every sport, from wrestling and golf to dance and baseball, with five teams ranking among the top 10 nationally. For Athletic Director Brady McKillip, MS, ’00, the recognition reflects something deeper. “These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our student-athletes in balancing their academic and athletic commitments,” said McKillip. “We are proud to see their hard work recognized on a national level.”

The NAIA Scholar Team Award highlights Graceland’s program-wide success. Fourteen varsity programs earned NAIA Scholar Team honors, awarded to teams maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher across all eligible athletes. Several Yellowjacket programs soared well above that threshold, earning top 10 national rankings: Softball (3.76 GPA, 5th nationally), Men’s Soccer (3.66 GPA, 3rd nationally), Men’s Wrestling (3.33 GPA, 4th nationally), Competitive Dance (3.40 GPA, 7th nationally), and Men’s Golf (3.58 GPA, 10th nationally).

Individual student-athletes also received recognition. Seventy-one Yellowjackets were named Heart of America Athletic Conference Scholar-Athletes, celebrating exceptional achievement across all varsity sports and reflecting Graceland’s focus on developing well-rounded leaders

“This recognition goes far beyond a number — it reflects the daily habits, late nights, early mornings, and resilience of our student-athletes. Competing at a high level is tough enough. Doing it while excelling in the classroom says everything about the caliber of people we have at Graceland.”

BRADY McKILLIP, MS, ’00
Athletic Director

That caliber is further illustrated by KJ Fry, recently selected as one of two Heart of America Conference student-athletes eligible for the NAIA A.O. Duer Scholarship Award, a prestigious national honor recognizing juniors for outstanding academics, leadership, integrity, and athletic achievement. Fry’s nomination underscores the outstanding level of student-athletes Graceland consistently develops.

Where Culture Meets Commitment

Graceland’s academic success in athletics isn’t accidental, it’s intentional. Coaches, administrators, student-athletes and even alumni supporters are working together to build a culture where excellence is expected and supported in both realms.

Along with recognition ahead of the Homecoming football game, Freeman Award recipients receive an engraved medal.

Faculty are a critical part as well. Professor of History Steve Glazer, PhD, has served as the faculty mentor for Women’s Volleyball for many years. He said, “These student-athletes have been some of my highest academic achievers, and, as I like to tell the team, ‘you work hard in my classes, so I want to support you on the court.’ This program every year produces numerous winners of academic honors and prestigious awards, a tribute to the leadership and culture of academic excellence Coach Stew McDole ’65 fosters.”

Assistant Professor of Sport Management Sehwan Kim, PhD, added, “As a faculty member at Graceland, I get to see our student-athletes not only perform on the field but also engage deeply in the classroom. Watching them compete is always exciting, but what impresses me most is the energy, creativity, and leadership they bring to discussions and group projects. They consistently give their best, and I’m grateful for the positive spirit they share with their classmates every day.”

Student-athletic excellence has long been central to Graceland’s mission and is celebrated through the Freeman Awards, established in 2012 by Faculty Emeritus Tom ’55 and Terry Moore ’56 Freeman. The award honors junior student-athletes who combine academic discipline with athletic achievement. Coaches select top performers in each sport, with honorees receiving an engraved medal and the highest-ranking student awarded a $1,000 scholarship. With the Freemans’ estate commitment to endow the award, this tradition will continue to recognize and inspire future Yellowjackets — reflecting a sustained commitment to the culture of excellence that defines Graceland athletics.

Student-First Athletic Identity

At its core, Graceland’s approach focuses on seeing the athlete as a whole person. It’s not just about eligibility; it’s about growth. Athletes receive structured tutoring, flexible academic resources, and a campus culture that values scholarship as much as sportsmanship.

For men’s soccer captain David Hopfer ’26, leadership means building an inclusive, supportive team culture while also excelling academically. He embodies what it truly means to be a liberal arts student — committed to his craft, academically high-achieving, and deeply involved in campus life.

The results? Graceland’s scholar-athletes aren’t just winning games. They are earning national academic recognition, thriving in the classroom, and developing into servant leaders across campus.

The Road Ahead

With momentum building, Graceland’s Athletics Department is setting its sights even higher. Continued investment in academic support systems, expanded leadership development opportunities, and strong alignment between coaching and faculty are all part of the plan. And perhaps most importantly, the student-athletes themselves are leading the charge by raising expectations, modeling discipline, and reminding the entire campus community that the pursuit of excellence doesn’t stop at the edge of the field.

Yellowjacket Pride

Shining a spotlight on three student-athletes who have demonstrated academic excellence & achievement:

KJ Fry

SPORT Men’s Wrestling
HOMETOWN Osceola, Iowa
CLASS YEAR 2026
MAJOR Business Management 
HOUSE Powell

A team captain, tutor, and leader on and off the mat, KJ Fry is the definition of a complete student-athlete. He maintains a 4.0 GPA, leads Bible study on campus, and embodies Graceland Wrestling’s “Be Water” mindset: full effort, total adaptability. Whether mentoring classmates or grinding through training, Fry leads by example — reflecting the academic and athletic excellence Graceland champions.

Malorie McKinney

SPORT Softball
HOMETOWN Knoxville, Iowa
CLASS YEAR 2026
MAJOR Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology, Psychology 
HOUSE Hanthorne

A two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete and NFCA Academic All-American, Malorie McKinney leads in every arena. A 2025 Graceland Freeman Award winner and Defensive Player of the Year, she’s also served three years on the GUS Leadership Council and twice as team captain. Known for her mentorship and selfless example, McKinney is the definition of a team-first leader — on the field and in the classroom.

David Hopfer

SPORT Men’s Soccer
HOMETOWN Augsburg, Germany
CLASS YEAR 2026
MAJOR Business Management, Marketing, Finance 
HOUSE Stewart Manor

As team captain, David Hopfer leads with inclusion and integrity — welcoming newcomers and setting the tone for Graceland soccer’s values. A true Renaissance man, he balances academic excellence with athletic focus, all while modeling servant leadership. Hopfer’s commitment to both scholarship and sport reflects the program’s highest ideals: competitive, connected, and constantly striving for growth.