Heart of America Athletic Conference teams move to NAIA Division I

The NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament could have more of a Kansas City flavor in the 2008-09 season. The Heart of America Athletic Conference college presidents voted unanimously that the men's and women's basketball teams will compete in Division I after next school season. That means HAAC perennial powers MidAmerica Nazarene and William Jewell would play in Kansas City instead of Branson, Mo., in the national tournament. For 15 years, William Jewell's basketball programs have been a force to be reckoned with at the NAIA Division II level.

The move was not made for the upcoming season to give the institutions time to make the appropriate financial adjustments to their budgets. The biggest difference in the divisions is the number of scholarships given to student-athletes. Division II schools have six scholarships available while Division I schools have as many as 11 at their disposal.

"We are in favor of it and are excited about it if it's funded properly," Jewell coach Larry Holley said. "And we have absolute faith that William Jewell will be able to fund it properly. That's my main concern. The year gives us a chance to study more programs nationwide and see what other top NAIA schools do in terms of an operation budget and staff."

The move won't change the procedures currently in place in the recruitment of potential Jewell players. But, with the added scholarships, it may affect the ability to land the player. "We go after the top caliber players anyway," said Jewell women's basketball coach Jill Cress. "It will give us more opportunities to give more of a financial package to those players."

Holley added: "I don't think it will change who we recruit. We might be able to get some of the players we lose out on from time to time due to financial aid."

Holley and Cress are expected to have more resources in terms of staff. Division I programs generally have one full-time assistant coach. Division II schools generally have a coaching staff with part-time employees. And non-conference schedules will change with more Division I opponents.

"We already have four Division I games on our schedule this season," Holley said. "We play Park University twice and have a trip to San Diego planned to play Point Loma and San Diego Christian in December."

Mark Brackman drafted by Detroit Tigers

Recent Jewell graduate Mark Brackman has become the latest member of the Cardinal baseball team to be drafted in the Major Leagues, going in the 16th round to the Detroit Tigers in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.

Brackman follows former Cardinals teammate Ben Blanton to the Major Leagues. Blanton was drafted in 2005 by the Philadelphia Phillies. Brackman was named as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year by going 12-0 with an ERA of 2.27. He was also named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American first team.
Mark Brackman

"I am thrilled beyond belief for Mark," said Jewell coach Mike Stockton. "To be drafted that early usually means the club is expecting them to stick around and contribute to their team. This is great news for Mark, our program and our institution."



Justin Kesner signs professional contract to play in Belgium

Justin Kesner has signed a professional contract to play for the Antwerp Eagles in Antwerp, Belgium. He is the eighth Cardinal under Head Coach Mike Stockton to sign a professional contract. Following his recently completed senior season, Kesner was named to the Heart of America All-Conference second team as a pitcher.

Kesner, a native of Independence, Mo., started 14 games
Justin Kesner
this past season and finished second on the team in wins with 10. He also sported a 3.54 earned run average during his senior campaign and logged 84 innings pitched. Kesner graduated in May with a degree in history.

Kesner is following in coach Stockton's footsteps, as Stockton played for the Antwerp Eagles as their starting shortstop for two years and was crowned the League's Most Valuable Player in 1998.

"This is a really neat opportunity for Justin," said Stockton. "He is going to get to experience a totally different culture and also will get to continue to play the sport he loves."

Kesner was part of a Jewell team that finished the year 41-18 overall and in second place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings. The 2007 season marked the fourth consecutive year the Cardinals qualified for regional play.