Grace to Play Indiana University in Basketball
Posted by Terry White on August 20, 2009
From the Warsaw (IN) Times-Union:
Grace To Square Off With IU
WINONA LAKE, IN – Coach Jim Kessler has been the face of the Grace College men’s basketball program since the early 1970s.
He has accomplished many things during that time, but this fall something new will be attached to his legendary resume.
On Nov. 4, the Lancers will add Indiana University to their list of opponents.
“This is something every kid in Indiana always dreams about,” said Kessler, who will begin his 34th season as head coach this winter. “This is a great opportunity for our program and institution.”
Grace is set to open the exhibition season at Assembly Hall, where they will contend with the Div. I Hoosiers in Bloomington. The first-ever matchup between the Hoosiers and Lancers may be televised on the Big Ten Network, with the game time yet to be determined.
“We are blessed to have this opportunity,” said Grace Athletic Director Chad Briscoe. “This experience is something that is prestigious for our campus and community. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we look forward to making the most of it.”
The game will mark the Hoosiers’ home opener for the 2009-10 season under second-year head coach Tom Crean, who has quickly changed the face of IU basketball.
The Lancers are coming off a 22-11 season that featured another Elite 8 appearance at the NAIA National Tournament in Branson, Missouri.
This season, Grace returns 10 players, led by seniors David Swanson and Kyle Plumlee.
Briscoe served on the men’s basketball staff at Ball State University from 2003 to 2005. During that time he coached under Tim Buckley, who now serves as the top assistant on Crean’s staff at IU.
“I appreciate all that Coach Buckley has done in helping our institution with this experience,” Briscoe said of the marquee opportunity. “This is a great day in the history of Grace College and I am excited for our entire campus.”
“The Lancers’ schedule this season features 11 home games and 18 away contests.
On Dec. 7, the Lancers will host OU-Eastern for Homecoming, and their annual Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund Tournament will be played at the Orthopaedic Capital Center on Dec. 11-12.
“As a coach at any level to able to play a game of this magnitude is very prestigious,” Kessler said. “I don’t know what the exact percentages are, but who can say, ‘I played at Assembly Hall or against a Big Ten school?’ We look forward to representing Grace College and want to go in there and etch a lot of memories.”
Tickets to Grace College men’s basketball games are available through the athletic office. Call (574) 372-5100 ext. 6266 for more information.
Grace College is a member of the Mid-Central College Conference and is a member of the NAIA and NCCAA.
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