Three GPAC Standouts Earn Spots in NAIA Hall of Fame

(Kansas City, Missouri) – Three individuals from the membership of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) were honored today with induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame.  The announcement came during the 2025 NAIA National Awards Day Announcement from the NAIA Office in Kansas City, Missouri. 

NAIA Hall of Fame – Kris Korver, Northwestern (Iowa) Men's Basketball – Coach Category

In 25 seasons as head men's basketball coach at Northwestern College, Kris Korver compiled an impressive 574-225 record, ranking him 26th in all-time wins among current and former NAIA coaches and fourth among active coaches at the time of his retirement. Since beginning his collegiate coaching career in 2000, Korver led his teams to two NAIA Division II national championships (2001, 2003), 19 NAIA tournament appearances, nine GPAC regular-season titles, and six GPAC tournament championships. His teams posted a 28-17 record in national tournament play, making the field in eight of his final nine seasons. Throughout his tenure, 49 players earned All-American honors, and he coached one NAIA Player of the Year (Brandon Woudstra, 2003), along with multiple GPAC Players, Freshmen, and Defensive Players of the Year. Northwestern Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops described Korver as a "legend on the sidelines," praising the intensity, precision, and lasting impact of his coaching.

Beyond basketball, Korver made a profound impact on the Northwestern College community. His leadership extended into mentorship and spiritual development, helping shape young men into faithful husbands, fathers, and leaders through what he called "healthy and Holy habits." He founded "Monday Mornings for Men," a weekly gathering that fostered Biblical growth and community among students and local men. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Korver served as a kinesiology instructor, teaching courses in coaching, leadership, and physical education, further contributing to the holistic development of his students both on and off the court.

(Thank you to NWC Athletic Communications, and Bradley Laackman, for assistance in this release)

NAIA Hall of Fame – Becca (Hurley) Kramer, Northwestern (Iowa) - Women's Basketball – Athlete Category

Becca (Hurley) Kramer was a standout athlete for Northwestern College, earning first team All-American honors three times in women's basketball and being named the NAIA National Player of the Year as a senior. She set the school record for most steals in a season (102 in 2010–11) and ranks among the program's all-time leaders in several categories: second in career steals (281), third in assists (534), and fourth in scoring (2,315 points). Kramer was named team MVP in each of her final three seasons and played a crucial role in leading the Raiders to three NAIA Division II national championships (2008, 2010, 2011). In addition to her basketball accomplishments, she also played women's soccer for Northwestern in 2008, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition.

After graduating in 2011 with a degree in Christian Education and Ministry, Kramer continued her involvement in basketball by playing two seasons with the Iowa Force (WBCBL) and serving as an assistant coach at Northwestern and Des Moines East High School. She was twice named NAIA national tournament MVP—in 2010 and 2011—and played an important supporting role as a freshman during the team's 2008 title run. Former Northwestern coach and athletic director Earl Woudstra praised her impact, noting her ability to uplift those around her both on and off the court with humility and compassion. Now living in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with her husband Jonathan ('12) and their five children, Kramer works as a physical education teacher at Joshua Christian Academy. She becomes the fifth Northwestern athlete inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, joining Lee McKinstrey, Rachel (Binneboese) Leavitt, Deb Remmerde-Leusink, and Brandon Woudstra.

(Thank you to NWC Athletic Communications, and Bradley Laackman, for assistance in this release)

NAIA Hall of Fame – Dr. Brandon Seifert, Concordia (Nebraska) - Cross Country and Track & Field – Athlete Category

Dr. Brandon Seifert, M.D., emerged as one of the premier distance runners in the Concordia University storied track and field program under Coach Kregg Einspahr. He reached the peak of his collegiate career by winning the national title in the one-mile race at the 2000 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Over his career, Seifert earned eight All-America honors and captured six NIAC/GPAC individual titles in track. He still holds the school record in the 1,000-meter run (2:25.60) and ranks second all-time in the indoor mile (4:07.82) and 3,000 meters (8:18.77). He also recorded the fastest split (1:50) on the record-setting 4x800 meter relay team, which posted a time of 7:31.00 en route to a national runner-up finish in 2000. As a cross country athlete, Seifert was a three-time All-American, claimed three individual conference titles, and held four course records by the end of his career. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a 1997 NIAC title and an 11th-place national finish. A six-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete, he was the recipient of the prestigious AO Duer Award and was named Concordia's 2000–01 Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

Beyond athletics, Seifert excelled academically, graduating from Concordia in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2006. During his time at Concordia, he met his wife, Vanessa, and the couple now resides in Lincoln, Nebraska, with their two daughters, Victoria and Lydia. Since 2012, Dr. Seifert has practiced at Lincoln Orthopedic Center and serves as a team physician for several local colleges, high schools, and organizations—including Concordia. He is actively involved in the medical community and is a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

(Thank you to CUNE Athletic Communications, and Jake Knabel, for assistance in this release)

About the NAIA Hall of Fame:

Since it was founded in 1952, the NAIA Hall of Fame Award has been the highest honor presented by the Association. Honorees have demonstrated high moral character, fine leadership ability and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, coaches and athletes. The Hall of Fame consists of a division for each sport currently or formerly sponsored by the Association and a division for general meritorious service to the NAIA. Each sport division is divided into three categories: athlete, coach and meritorious service.