NAIA legends return to coaching for all-star game
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GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Two NAIA football coaching legends will come out of retirement to be head coaches in the second annual Victory Sports Network Senior Classic, April 19, in Platte City, Mo.
NAIA Hall of Famer Dr. Ted Kessinger, the father of Ottawa University football coach Kent Kessinger, and the recently retired Vic Wallace will coach the two squads.
“It is an honor to have these two legends coaching our senior game,” Jason Dannelly, of the Victory Sports Network, said. “These are the type of coaches that athletes wished they could have played for at one time. Getting them back on the sidelines for one more game will be exciting for the players and fans of NAIA football.”
The Victory Sports Network’s Senior Classic is a gathering of the best seniors from across the NAIA.
Last years game saw over 120 participants and well over 1,000 attendees. The 2007 roster also saw four players signed to NFL contracts, two to the CFL and numerous others to AFL, AF2 and other professional contracts.
The players will participate in character talks with area elementary and high school students prior to the game.
Kessinger spent his entire head coaching career at Bethany College in Lindsborg. In 28 seasons, Kessinger had a 219-57-1 record with 16 Kansas Conference championships.
His .794 winning percentage was one of the best among NAIA coaches all-time.
“It is a great honor to VSN to have such a respected man coaching in our game,” Dannelly said. “Dr. Kessinger is truly a gentleman of the game.”
In 2003 Kessinger was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame.
He took the Swedes to the NAIA playoffs 10 times, and his teams finished in the top 25 national rankings 20 times. He coached 24 All-Americans, 387 All-KCAC selections and was named KCAC coach of the year 11 times.
In all of his years of coaching he never had a losing season, going 5-4 in his final season.
Wallace retired in December after 14 seasons at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn. Prior to Lambuth, Wallace coached at St. Thomas in Minnesota and just down the road from the site of the game at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.
In 27 years as a head coach, Wallace’s overall mark was 176-109-5.
“Wallace has been a mainstay in the NAIA for years,” Dannelly said. “There are a lot of coaches and players across the country whose lives have been touched by him.”
Wallace’s teams have won eight conference championships and made the playoffs 10 times. He was named Mid South Conference coach of the year seven times and was named the AFCA Regional coach of the year three times.
During his tenure at Lambuth, his teams won four conference championships and made six appearances in the NAIA playoffs.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Platte City’s Pirate Stadium. Admission is $5.
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