Sanderson Selected as Heart’s 2025-26 Emil S. Liston Scholarship Award Nominee

Kansas City, Mo. – Graceland University men's basketball student-athlete Josh Sanderson has been selected to represent the Heart of America Athletic Conference as its nominee for the 2025-26 Emil S. Liston Scholarship Award.

The Emil S. Liston Award is named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary and has been presented annually since 1950 to one men's and one women's basketball student-athlete who have demonstrated outstanding athletic and scholastic achievement. Nominees must maintain a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher and have attained junior academic standing.

Sanderson was selected to represent the Heart at the national level following a successful 2025-26 season with the Yellowjackets.

"I am very grateful to be selected to represent the heart for the Emil S. Liston award. I'm extremely appreciative of everyone at Graceland who has supported me throughout my time here, especially my teammates, coaches, professors, and family. Being a student athlete has challenged me to hold myself to a high standard both on the court and in the classroom. To be recognized for that means a lot to me and I'm excited to represent Graceland and the heart at the national level," said Sanderson.

Sanderson was a regular member of the Yellowjackets' lineup during the 2025-26 campaign, helping Graceland advance to the Heart Tournament championship game and earn a berth in the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship.