Calling all Grace Men's Soccer Alumni! The Lancers are enjoying their 50th season in 2015, and you are invited to join us for a celebration.

Grace's men's soccer program will have a special weekend to commemorate its historic 50th season on Sept. 25-26.

"When I think of 50 years for Grace Men's Soccer, I think about all of the individual players that made up those teams. I think about the highs and lows, the glorious victories and the difficult defeats and lives changed by circumstance and friendship," said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. "Finally, I think of how God has used Grace Soccer to shape and refine young men over the years. In the span of 50 years, a legacy has been built by every player, manager and coach that made up those teams. I hope to see men from every era of Grace Men's Soccer here for the reunion, reminiscing and sharing stories from their time at Grace."

The Lancers boast one of the most storied teams in the NAIA. Grace has racked up 450 wins since its inaugural season in 1965, 6th-most among current NAIA programs.

Grace's first team was coached by Chet Kammerer in 1965, marking the first full season of competition. The 1966 team, coached by Rich Kriegbaum, played Grace's first intercollegiate schedule with a record of 3-4-1.

"The gigantic growth of soccer throughout the US perfectly matches the growth of our Grace soccer program. Our early teams showcased stars like Bob Dowdy from Argentina and Jean Pierre Makeiff from France who had experience and skill. But most of our team members had never played a minute of soccer before suiting up for the Lancers," said former Lancer player and coach Steve Grill. "Determination, grit and athletic ability were the early hallmarks of our Grace teams. Today, the Lancer stars have been playing soccer their entire lives, and they bring remarkable skill sets to the pitch. I'm looking forward to connecting with some of the old-time Lancers that I played with and coached."

The 50th year will be celebrated during Grace's Homecoming weekend on Sept. 25-26. A number of soccer-specific events will be included during Homecoming festivities. The Grace Men's Soccer Reunion Banquet will be held on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium (childcare available).

On Saturday at 12:45 p.m., all men's soccer alumni in attendance are invited to be photographed in a commemorative moment with the current Lancers' team. The Lancers will host defending conference champion Indiana Wesleyan at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the newly renovated soccer stadium at Miller Athletic Complex. Additionally, a tailgate lunch will be available for all Grace alumni on Saturday before the men's soccer game.

"We are very excited to celebrate the rich tradition and history of 50 years of men's soccer at Grace," said Grace athletic director Chad Briscoe. "We look forward to the return to campus for many alums and hearing the stories of Christian excellence through Grace Soccer from the past 50 years."

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS