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Something you may have missed in the midst of March Madness is the fact a team from Omaha returned home with a National Championship.  Grace University ran the table in the men's National Christian College Athletic Association Division II post-season tournaments to capture the school's first national title.

The old adage for basketball teams is to get hot at the end of the season and that's what the Royals did.  Their regular season record was a respectable 18-12 but it's the team's finish that sparkles.  Grace began the season last November losing five of it's first seven games.  The December performance through mid-January did little to set the Royals apart as national contenders.  During that stretch the team registered six wins five losses.   

But It was a "Royal" finish from there as Grace reeled off 18 wins in 21 games.  Included was the NCCAA regional championship in Dallas and 4 straight wins at the national tournament in Springfield, Missouri. 

The championship season for Grace ended last Saturday with a 73-67 win over Southwestern Christian.  The Royals' Paul Putz was named Tournament MVP and Ed Kaiser was also selected to the All-Tournament Team.

I spoke with Grace President Dr. James Eckman and he acknowledges it's frustrating to have the school's team reach the pinnacle of success for Colleges of the same classification and receive limited media recognition. 

So as March Madness rolls on, a little recognition right here for the National Champs from Grace University of Omaha.

Knicely Done!