BRANSON, Mo. – Legendary Grace College men's basketball coach Jim Kessler added another milestone to his career when he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The induction ceremony occurred during the NAIA Men's Basketball Div. II Banquet of Champions in Branson, Mo. In his introductory remarks, Grace Athletic Director Chad Briscoe said Kessler “personifies the Grace College mission of applying biblical values in developing character, sharpening competence and preparing for service. He was the 45th coach in the history of men’s college basketball to reach 700 wins and is currently the longest tenured college coach in the state of Indiana.” Briscoe also spoke of Kessler’s coaching records and awards, which includes 18 seasons with 20 or more wins, five Coach of the Year awards, 10 Crossroads League titles and three National Coach of the Year awards. Kessler has served on the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball oversight committee since 2006 and was selected as the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball President in 2011. He also started the Division II men’s basketball prayer breakfast for coaches. “More importantly, Kessler has given back to the Warsaw/Winona Lake community throughout his career, including organizing an annual tournament to benefit the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund,” Briscoe said. “For his contributions to the lives of the youth in the Warsaw area, he received the Pete Thorne Memorial Award in 2005. He was also given the NABC Guardians of the Game National Award for Service in 2006 and the coaching for character award in 2012. He also received the NAIA Coach of Character award in 2005. “As an active and visible member of the collegiate coaching ranks, Kessler has represented Grace College and the NAIA on a national scale. He was given the distinguished honor in 2013 to serve as a court coach for USA Basketball’s World University Games Training Camp, helping select the final roster for the U.S. team. Last March, he was invited to host a coaches clinic at the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. “He has led the Lancers on multiple international mission trips over the years, including trips to the Philippines, Jamaica, Bahamas, Egypt, Germany, France and Kenya. “Coach K has made extensive contributions to Grace’s campus, helping establish projects that have raised funds for the college library and for other equipment and programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life at Grace.” In his acceptance speech, Kessler said "I am honored to be recognized by the NAIA and my peers. This is not something I set out to do when I began coaching, but I'm thankful the Lord blessed my work at Grace. “I'm thankful to Grace College for the opportunity to make a career coaching basketball. I have been blessed with supportive presidents, administrations and athletic directors who have stood by me through the ups and downs of a coaching career. No one achieves anything of note without the contributions of others, and I have countless people to thank for this award.” Kessler becomes the second individual from Grace College to be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. Chet Kammerer, former men's basketball coach at Grace and Westmont (Calif.), received the honor in 2000. The NAIA Hall of Fame was established in 1952 and recognizes an individual's service to intercollegiate athletics, the NAIA and their sport. Induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame, and the ensuing title of Hall of Famer, is the highest individual honor bestowed by the Association.
