A story posted at InkFreeNews features the men’s basketball coach at Grace College, Jim Kessler. Kessler announced in February that this would be his last season as head coach and as the NCCAA National Championships begin this week, he is coaching his last games at Grace. A portion of the story appears below. Click here to read the complete article.
Kessler Going Out On Own Terms
His office isn’t cluttered, but strategically busy. Overseeing him on a daily basis are the glares of 40 years of guidance, memories, skill and love. As Jim Kessler prepares to wrap up his 42nd and final season on the court that bears his name, it will be more than just pictures that have their eyes on the Hall of Fame basketball coach.
Kessler announced in February this season would be his last as head coach of the Grace College men’s basketball program. With that announcement came the usual and blatant outpouring of sentiment and emotion from those whom Kessler has impacted in over four decades of time in Winona Lake and beyond. Social media was on its ear that Monday as former players, coaches, media members, friends, family and neighbors all chimed in with congratulations and words of encouragement. Walking through the halls of the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center a week before the NCCAA National Championships are set to begin, Kessler joked his Facebook had never been so busy.
The MOCC will be the scene of Kessler’s final games as a Grace coach, as the Lancers are set to be the host team for the NCCAAs starting Wednesday. Grace will play on opening day at approximately 5:15 p.m. against Bluefield and look to do something Kessler has never done, win an NCCAA title. Kessler has guided Grace to four runner-up finishes in the NCCAA National Championships, including a loss in overtime, but no championship. Among a laundry list of accomplishments in his four-plus decades on the sidelines, winning this tournament is how he truly wants to go out.
Click here to read the complete article.