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» GRACE UNIVERSITY NAMES EVAN CAMPERELL HEAD MEN'S SOCCER COACH.
4/29/26 │MEN'S SOCCER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POMONA, CA -- Grace University Athletics has made a powerful statement about the future of its men’s soccer program, announcing the hiring of Evan Camperell as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach, ushering in a bold new era for the Talons.
A proven builder. A seasoned competitor. A culture architect.
Entering his 20th season as a collegiate head coach, Camperell arrives at Grace University with a reputation for building programs with identity, toughness, and purpose. His appointment signals more than a coaching hire, it marks the beginning of a movement.
Most recently, Camperell launched and led a first-year program at Nobel University, transforming a brand-new team into an immediate competitor while navigating a demanding small-college schedule. His debut campaign was highlighted by a statement 4–0 victory over an NAIA opponent, showcasing his ability to organize, motivate, and win.
Before Nobel, Camperell served as head coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, adding to a coaching résumé defined by vision, player development, and sustained competitive success.
A Builder Takes the Throne
Grace University believes the foundation of championship culture begins with leadership, and in Camperell, the Talons have secured a leader hungry to build something special in Southern California.
“This is an opportunity to create a legacy,” said Camperell. “To take raw pieces and mold them into a team that can make history, this is why you coach.”
That mentality aligns seamlessly with the rising ethos of Grace Athletics.
Camperell brings a builder’s mindset, a relentless competitive edge, and a passion for developing student-athletes on and off the pitch. His vision for Grace Men’s Soccer centers on recruiting high-character talent, playing courageous soccer, and establishing a program that reflects the ambition of a university on the rise.
A New Era Begins
This hire represents another major step in the launch of Grace University Athletics and reinforces the university’s commitment to building elite opportunities within a faith-centered environment.
Director of Athletics Les Bean called the hire transformational.
“Coach Camperell knows how to build. He knows how to lead. And he knows how to win,” said Bean. “We weren’t looking for someone to simply coach a team, we were looking for someone to establish a standard. Evan is that leader, and we believe he will ignite something special here at Grace.”
With two decades of head coaching experience and the hunger of a first-year founder, Camperell now takes the throne to lead the Talons into their inaugural rise.
The foundation is being laid. The culture is being formed. The rise has begun.
WELCOME TO THE NEST, COACH CAMPERELL.
#TalonsUp
Media Contact:
Grace University Athletics
Email: CoachBean@GraceU.edu
University Website: GraceU.edu
Athletics Website: GraceUAthletics.com
» KRAZYNICE x GRACE U ATHLETICS ANNOUNCE LANDMARK APPAREL PARTNERSHIP.
4/28/26 │ATHLETICS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POMONA, CA. -- Grace University Athletics is proud to officially announce a groundbreaking strategic partnership with KrazyNice as the Official and Premier Game Uniform and Team Apparel Provider for all Grace U Athletics programs.
In a move that signals bold ambition, innovation, and a commitment to redefining what small-college athletics can become, this partnership establishes a new standard for branding, recruiting, and elite athletic identity at Grace University.
This is more than an apparel agreement. This is a statement. A statement that even a rising small Christian university can operate with a national vision.
A statement that excellence is not reserved for the largest institutions. A statement that Grace U Athletics intends to look different, move different, and build different.
Through this alliance, every Grace U team, from Men’s Basketball, Men’s Soccer, Baseball, Women’s Flag Football and beyond, will compete in premium, custom-engineered uniforms and lifestyle gear designed by a company known for innovation, edge, and performance.
Founded in 1999, KrazyNice has spent decades engineering custom apparel and limited-edition collections while supplying elite uniforms and gear for major brands, collegiate programs and professional sports organizations. Their reputation has been built on creativity, craftsmanship, and a fearless commitment to athletes who #DefyOrdinary.
Now, that spirit joins the rise of Grace U. A Partnership Designed to Revolutionize Small College Athletics. This collaboration represents a powerful model of what is possible when strategic alliances meet cutting-edge vision.
For Grace University, this partnership elevates:
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Recruiting Power - premium brand presentation that resonates with domestic and international student-athletes
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Program Identity - distinctive uniforms and apparel that strengthen the Talons brand nationally
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Marketing & Exposure - innovative co-branding opportunities that amplify reach and storytelling
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Student-Athlete Experience - elite-level gear designed for performance, pride and culture
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Brand Enhancement - positioning Grace U as a modern, forward-thinking athletics movement
At a time when many small universities accept limitations, Grace University is choosing innovation. This alliance proves that small schools can think big. And execute even bigger. The Rise Wears a New Standard Fans, recruits and supporters can expect:
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Exclusive game uniform reveals
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Limited-edition team drops
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Premium sideline and training apparel
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Collaborative merchandise collections
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Signature pieces built for athletes and supporters alike
This is only the beginning.
Together, Grace U Athletics and KrazyNice are creating something rarely seen at the small-college level, a true performance and lifestyle brand ecosystem.
Not just uniforms. Not just apparel. A movement.
Leadership Perspective
“This partnership is about far more than what we wear, it’s about what we represent,” said Les Bean, Director of Athletics. “KrazyNice shares our belief that bold vision and relentless creativity can break traditional limits. Together, we are building a brand, a culture and an experience for student-athletes that truly Defies Ordinary.”
About KrazyNice
KrazyNice is a premium athletic performance apparel company founded in 1999, specializing in custom-engineered uniforms, elite teamwear, and limited-edition performance lifestyle products for programs and athletes who demand more.
About Grace U Athletics
Grace University Athletics is building a bold new era of small-college athletics rooted in faith, excellence and opportunity, where student-athletes compete, grow and rise together.
THE RISE BEGINS NOW.
#TalonsUp | #KrazyNice
Media Contact:
Grace University Athletics
Email: CoachBean@GraceU.edu
University Website: GraceU.edu
Athletics Website: GraceUAthletics.com
» GRACE UNIVERSITY MAKES A POWER MOVE: DEON COLEMAN JOINS TALONS ATHLETICS LEADERSHIP/MBB COACHING STAFF.
4/12/26 │ATHLETICS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POMONA, CA -- Veteran Leader Deon Coleman Named Assistant Director of Athletics & Associate Head Coach for Men’s Basketball; Will Oversee Sports Information
Grace University has made a statement hire.
In a move that continues to build elite momentum toward its Fall 2026 athletics launch, Grace University proudly announces the addition of Deon Coleman as Assistant Director of Athletics, Associate Head Coach for Men’s Basketball, and lead of Sports Information and Athletic Communications.
This is not just a hire.
This is a strategic acquisition of experience, leadership, and championship DNA.
THE NEXT PIECE OF THE FOUNDATION
As the Talons prepare to take flight, Grace University is assembling a leadership team built for impact, and Deon Coleman arrives as one of the most important pieces of that foundation. With decades of experience across coaching, recruiting, player development, and athletic administration, Coleman brings a rare dual-threat ability to lead both behind the scenes and on the court. His presence instantly elevates the trajectory of Grace University Athletics.
A LEADER BUILT FOR THIS MOMENT
Coleman will serve in a multi-dimensional role critical to the success of the department:
Assistant Director of Athletics
Helping shape the operational backbone of Grace University Athletics, supporting day-to-day administration, program structure, and strategic growth.
Associate Head Coach — Men’s Basketball
Working alongside Head Coach Les Bean, Coleman brings veteran leadership, recruiting expertise, and player development experience to a program being built to compete at a national level from day one.
Sports Information & Athletic Communications
Coleman will lead the voice of Grace University Athletics, overseeing:
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Media relations
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Game operations and statistics
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Digital storytelling and brand presence
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Press, coverage, and national exposure
In today’s era of athletics, visibility is power—and Coleman will be the architect behind the Talons’ national narrative.
A PROGRAM ON THE RISE
The addition of Coleman signals one thing clearly: Grace University is not easing into college athletics.
It is attacking it.
With leadership rooted in experience and vision, the Talons are being built to:
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Compete at the highest levels of small-college basketball
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Establish a nationally recognized brand
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Create exposure-driven opportunities for student-athletes
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Build a culture defined by discipline, belief, and relentless pursuit
STATEMENT
“Deon Coleman is a game-changer. His experience, his presence, and his understanding of how to build and sustain programs make him an invaluable addition to what we’re creating at Grace. This is exactly the type of leader you bring in when you’re serious about building something elite.”
THE MESSAGE IS LOUD
Grace University continues to send a clear signal across the collegiate athletics landscape:
This is not a startup. This is a takeover in motion. With each addition, the Talons grow stronger. With each move, the vision becomes clearer. And with Deon Coleman now in place, the standard just elevated.
LOOKING AHEAD
As Grace University continues to build toward its inaugural season, additional announcements regarding staff, programs, and partnerships are expected in the coming months.
The message remains clear:
The Talons are not just launching, they’re being built to rise.
Media Contact:
Grace University Athletics
Email: CoachBean@GraceU.edu
University Website: GraceU.edu
Athletics Website: GraceUAthletics.com
» LES BEAN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED AS DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS & HEAD MBB COACH AT GRACE UNIVERSITY (CALIFORNIA).
4/10/26 │ATHLETICS
BY: JOHN CHARITY, PRESIDENT
POMONA, CA -- Veteran Program Builder to Lead Launch of Grace U Athletics. Grace University (California) has officially announced the hiring of Les Bean as its Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach, marking a defining moment in the university’s expansion into intercollegiate athletics. In addition to his leadership of the men’s basketball program, Bean will also serve as the Interim Head Women’s Flag Football Coach during the inaugural build of the program for the 2026–27 academic year.
A STATEMENT HIRE THAT SHIFTS THE LANDSCAPE
With this historic move, Grace University has positioned itself as an immediate force in small school collegiate athletics, set to compete in the USCAA, then with plans to apply for NCCAA membership in 2027-28, and within the SWS (Southwestern States Conference).
The announcement has already sent shockwaves throughout the small-college athletics community, as Bean departs Nobel University after orchestrating one of the most rapid and impactful program builds in recent memory.
THE ARCHITECT OF MODERN PROGRAM BUILDING
Over the past three years, Bean redefined what is possible in small-college athletics:
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Built a nationally recognized athletic department from the ground up
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Increased institutional enrollment by an unprecedented 10,000%
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Secured nearly 10 ESPN-featured broadcasts in just two seasons
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Competed against elite programs across NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, and NCCAA
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Established a national recruiting and branding footprint
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Launched more than five different intercollegiate sports teams (men & women)
His work is nationally recognized -- blending competition, media exposure, and enrollment growth into one unified model.
LEADING THE LAUNCH OF GRACE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Now at Grace, Bean takes on the challenge of building from day one, again. Under his leadership, Grace University Athletics will officially launch with, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Flag Football. Baseball, Soccer and Women's Beach Volleyball will round up the initial sports teams.
A BUILDER WITH 20+ YEARS OF IMPACT
With more than two decades of experience, Bean is widely regarded as one of the premier program architects in the country.
His leadership is defined by:
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Relentless recruiting innovation
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Elite-level scheduling and exposure
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Culture-driven team building
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Visionary branding and storytelling
Grace University didn’t just hire a coach or administrator, they secured a program creator.
POSITIONED FOR NATIONAL RELEVANCE
By placing Bean at the helm of both athletics and its flagship sport, Grace University is signaling a clear vision:
Compete nationally. Build relentlessly. Grow without limits.
This move aligns athletics with the university’s broader mission of Christ-centered growth, exposure, and opportunity, creating a platform for student-athletes to compete on a national stage while pursuing life-changing academic pathways.
STATEMENT
“Grace called, and this time, it wasn’t just about building a program. It was about building a movement. From day one, this will be about competing at the highest level, creating opportunity, and establishing a standard that hasn’t been seen before.”
LOOKING AHEAD
With the foundation now set, Grace University Athletics will begin its rise with:
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Official team launches in 2026–27
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National recruiting campaigns across the U.S. and internationally
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Strategic scheduling against top competition
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Continued announcements regarding staff, facilities, and partnerships
ABOUT GRACE UNIVERSITY (CALIFORNIA)
Grace University is an emerging institution committed to developing leaders through academic excellence, faith-based values, and competitive athletics. Located in Southern California, Grace is rapidly building a reputation as a destination for student-athletes seeking opportunity, exposure, Christ-centered culture and purpose-driven competition.
Media Contact:
Grace University Athletics
Email: CoachBean@GraceU.edu
University Website: GraceU.edu
Athletics Website: GraceUAthletics.com
» GRACE UNIVERSITY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FOR FALL 2026.
4/1/26 │ATHLETICS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POMONA, CA -- The Talons Take Flight as Grace University Unveils a Bold New Era in Collegiate Competition.
Grace U has officially announced the launch of its athletics department, with intercollegiate competition set to begin in Fall 2026, marking a historic new chapter for the institution and the beginning of a bold vision for student-athletes in Southern California and beyond.
Competing under the name Grace University Talons, the university will enter the collegiate athletics landscape with a powerful mission: to build a nationally respected program rooted in faith, opportunity, excellence, and impact.
The official launch of Grace University Athletics signals more than the addition of sports programs. It represents the beginning of a movement—one designed to create life-changing opportunities for student-athletes seeking a competitive platform, a Christ-centered environment, and an academic path with purpose.
A NEW ERA TAKES FLIGHT
With the Fall 2026 launch, Grace University is stepping onto the national stage with a vision to establish one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking small-college athletic departments in the country. The Talons brand will embody energy, ambition, and fearless pursuit—bringing together high-level competition and a culture built on development, discipline, and belief.
Grace University Athletics will be built to serve student-athletes who are hungry for more: more growth, more visibility, more challenge, and more purpose.
“This is a defining moment for Grace University,” the university said in its official announcement. “Athletics will be a major pillar in our future, and the launch of the Talons marks the start of something powerful—something designed to impact lives on the field, in the classroom, and far beyond graduation.”
BUILT FOR THE MODERN STUDENT-ATHLETE
Grace University Athletics is being designed to meet the needs of today’s student-athlete—providing competitive opportunity while cultivating leadership, character, and long-term success. The department’s vision is centered on building an environment where athletes can thrive spiritually, academically, and athletically.
The launch reinforces Grace University’s commitment to becoming a destination for student-athletes who want to compete at a high level while being part of a university experience that is deeply personal, mission-driven, and future-focused.
Under the Talons banner, Grace will emphasize:
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High-level collegiate competition
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Faith-based leadership development
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Intentional recruiting and program building
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A culture of excellence, accountability, and growth
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A modern athletic brand built for visibility and momentum
THE TALONS IDENTITY
The introduction of the Grace University Talons gives the university a bold and memorable athletic identity—one that reflects strength, precision, fearlessness, and rise. The Talons name represents an aggressive and confident competitive spirit, while also symbolizing elevation, vision, and pursuit.
As the university prepares for launch, the Talons brand is expected to become a central part of Grace’s expanding footprint in collegiate athletics, recruiting, media, and campus life.
With dynamic branding, a clear institutional vision, and growing anticipation around its inaugural teams, Grace University is positioning itself to make an immediate statement in the small-college athletics world.
LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL 2026
The launch of Grace University Athletics in Fall 2026 will begin with foundational program development, strategic recruiting, staff expansion, and continued public announcements regarding sports offerings, leadership, schedules, facilities, and partnerships.
The university expects excitement to continue building as additional milestones are released in the months ahead.
Grace University’s message is clear:
The future is here. The Talons are rising. And Fall 2026 will mark the official beginning of a new era.
ABOUT GRACE UNIVERSITY
Grace University is a Christ-centered institution committed to developing leaders through education, opportunity, and purpose. With a vision for innovation and impact, Grace is building a transformative experience for students who are ready to pursue excellence in their academics, faith, and future.
Media Contact:
Grace University Athletics
Email: CoachBean@GraceU.edu
University Website: GraceU.edu
Athletics Website: GraceUAthletics.com