Baseball to Host "Strike Out Cancer" Weekend During Series with MidAmerica Nazarene

LAMONI, Iowa — Graceland and MidAmerica Nazarene will come together on April 11–12 for a four-game Heart of America Athletic Conference baseball series that will carry deeper meaning off the field. The Yellowjackets will host their annual "Strike Out Cancer Weekend", a tradition now in its sixth year, to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. The weekend will also include Senior Day recognition for Graceland's graduating student-athletes.

The event began under former head coach and current athletic director Brady McKillip, whose wife, Leslea, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2017. Following treatment at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, Leslea has been cancer-free since August 2017. Inspired by her journey, McKillip and the program initiated the jersey auction fundraiser, with proceeds supporting cancer research.

"This event has always been close to my heart," McKillip said. "The way the program, community, and our opponents rally around something bigger than the game is truly special. Seeing the tradition continue all these years later means everything to my family."

Current head coach Brad Payne, who served as an assistant under McKillip, has continued the annual campaign. Payne also has a personal connection to the cause—his aunt was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and has shown no evidence of disease since February 2021.

"We're proud to continue what Coach McKillip started," said Payne. "Cancer touches so many lives. This is a way for our players, staff, and fans to do something meaningful. It's about honoring survivors, supporting those still fighting, and remembering those we've lost. It's one of the most important weekends of our season."

As part of the weekend, Graceland will wear custom navy and pink Nike jerseys, which will be available for purchase through an online auction. Bidding will begin at 12 p.m. on April 11 and close at 11:30 p.m. on April 27. Each jersey will start at $123, with a "Buy Now" option at $225. Of each purchase, $75 covers the cost of the jersey, while the remainder will be donated to the MD Anderson Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic in Houston, Texas, in honor of Coach Payne's aunt.

A limited number of jerseys will also be available for live auction at the games, and any unsold items will be added to the online bidding platform. The full auction can be viewed at www.32auctions.com/GUBaseball2025.

In a special tribute, Coach Brad Payne's No. 1 jersey will be signed by the coaching staffs and players from both Graceland and MidAmerica Nazarene. The jerseys will continue to be worn by the Yellowjackets for the remainder of the season and will be shipped to winning bidders in mid-May.

Freewill donations will also be accepted at the ballpark throughout the weekend series.

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