Brad Payne Named Head Baseball Coach

Lamoni, Iowa – The Graceland's Athletic Department and Athletic Director Brady McKillip are excited to announce the promotion of Brad Payne to head coach.

"When looking at who would take over the program, Brad was the obvious choice. He has been with me and the program the last five seasons and has been a key part in the recruitment and development of the team," said Athletic Director Brady McKillip. "I am excited for him and look forward to supporting him in this new position and seeing what he'll accomplish."

Coach Payne enters his sixth season with the Yellowjackets Baseball Program. During the past five seasons, the team has improved on and off the field and in the win/loss column. With a 3+ team GPA the past three seasons. Coach Payne has coached 10 All-Conference Selections, 2 Conference Gold Gloves, 31 Heart Conference Scholar Athletes and 28 NAIA Scholar Athletes at Graceland.

Prior to Graceland, Payne was the Player Development Director at the Sioux Empire Baseball Association (SEBA). He aided in developing players and has had over 30 players go on to play at the collegiate level. Payne also coached the Sioux Falls Post 15 West Jr. Legion teams to back-to-back SD State Tournament Births in 2018 & 2019. Coach Payne also has experience coaching travel and high school baseball in Las Vegas, NV.

"I'd like to thank Athletic Director Brady McKillip and former President Draves for being named the next Head Baseball Coach at Graceland University. I'm excited and extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the Yellowjacket Baseball Program," Brad Payne states. "Brady and I have worked tirelessly over the past five years to build the program where it is today. I can't wait to get our players back in the fall and continue to build our young men on and off the field."

Payne continues actively recruiting for Graceland as he transitions into the head coaching role with the full support of the administration and the university.

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-Yellowjackets-