Grace Planning Coach K Day In October
WINONA LAKE – Grace College will honor and celebrate Coach Jim Kessler’s 42 years as head basketball coach with a reception and banquet on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 6:45 p.m. The event is open to all family, friends and former players, and will take place at the Winona Heritage Room, 901 Park Ave., Winona Lake. Dinner tickets are $20 per person and are available for purchase on the Grace Homecoming website, www.grace.edu/alumni/homecoming/.
“Coach Kessler’s banquet during Homecoming weekend is going to be a great celebration for all those who are able to attend,” said Chad Briscoe, director of athletics at Grace College. “We are excited to have many Grace alumni return to campus along with family, friends and community members as we honor Coach K and his legacy!”
Kessler, or “Coach K,” graduated from Grace in 1970. He started his coaching career at Grace College in 1977 and never left. After five decades of coaching, he made the decision to finish his career in December 2018. Kessler ended his career with 788 victories, 10 conference championships, and the 1992 NAIA national championship–the lone NAIA title in school history.
The program will include a time for a few to share, including former players and coaches, Kessler’s family, and Kessler himself. The speakers will reflect on Kessler’s many years of coaching basketball, his accomplishments, and above all, his relationships with others.
Relationships, rather than wins, have always been Kessler’s priority. “Your true legacy lives on through the people you’ve impacted. That’s good enough for me,” said Kessler.
For more information or questions about Coach Kessler’s Banquet, contact Kelly Sharp in Grace’s athletic office at (574) 372-5100, ext. 6266.