Grace College senior Allison Kauffman ranks second in program history in both points and rebounds (Photos provided by the Grace College Sports Information Department)

WINONA LAKE – True student-athletes like Allison Kauffman just do not come along very often.

Just ask Grace College women’s basketball coach Scott Blum about how much his senior star will be missed, both off and on the court.

“Allie is going to be missed in every aspect of our program here,” said Blum. “She is truly what a player should look like in every way here at Grace College. She loves the Lord and is just a leader in every way.

“She is a leader on the court, a leader academically and a leader on our campus and in our community. She has definitely left her mark personally in a lot of areas here at Grace College and will be hard to try and replace in all of those areas.”

Kauffman, a 6-0 senior forward from Fort Wayne, has had a stellar senior season to cap an amazing collegiate career. She ranks second in program history in both points and rebounds with 1,704 points and 904 rebounds. Juaneice Jackson is tops in scoring at 1,893 points and Cheryl Myers is first in rebounds with 976.

“Honestly, I did not know what to expect coming here,” said Kauffman. “I did not know what my role would be. It did not hit me until my sophomore year. I had been a scorer at Blackhawk Christian in high school and had to score here.

“I just thank the Lord and my teammates and coaches for what I’ve been able to accomplish here at Grace. Everyone has talents and mine happens to be in basketball. But it’s not about the numbers and the awards. For me, it’s more about the team and the experiences that I’ve had and the memories I’ve made with my teammates.”

“I did not look at my numbers coming into this season. I did not want this season to be about me and my numbers. I’m just humbled to be No. 2.”

Kauffman is averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game this year. The Lancers sit at 16-14 overall entering their first-round game tonight at St. Francis in the Crossroads League Tournament. Kauffman earned first-team All-League honors after leading the conference with 13 double-doubles and being named Player of the Week three times.

“When I saw Allie play on an AAU team in high school I thought she had the potential to be pretty good,” said Blum, the former Grace College star now in his 11th season as the women’s coach. “She’s exceeded expectations though. She fits perfectly in our system in that she can post and she can also step out and shoot the three too.

“She just works hard, gives 100 percent effort all the time and does her best. We wanted the ball in her hands this year. She can finish and she just has a knack to go get the ball rebounding.”

Allison Kauffman has been a true student-athlete for the Lancers.

Kauffman, who earned second-team all league and honorable mention honors following her junior season, says scoring is all about the mental part of the game.

“It’s a mentality,” said Kauffman. “You have to see the floor well, know the game and just finish shots. It’s a lot of a mental game. You have to have confidence in the talent that you have and trust your teammates.”

Kauffman has excelled in the classroom big time. She carries a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and was an Academic All-District honoree, the only one from the Crossroads League.

“I’m not sure how smart I am,” said Kauffman humbly. “I’m just willing to put the work in and manage my time wisely. It’s not always been easy, but so far my best have been all A’s.”

“This year has been up and down, but we have grown together as a team.  I was used to being on losing teams in high school and then I come here and we have a 20-win season (her freshman year).

“Coach has just been great to play for. He cares for us as people and has his priorities straight. He’s super competitive and super passionate about basketball, but realizes that it is just a game at the end of the day.

“I’ve learned a lot during my time at Grace. It’s been the most growing experience in my life here the last four years. It’s just been an amazing experience here.”

For a truly amazing, all-around young lady.

Allison Kauffman celebrates with her teammates.