CARMEL, Ind. - Two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Basketball players, Tate Ivanyo (Valparaiso, Ind.) of Anderson University and Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) of Hanover College, have each been named among the 10 finalists in their sport for the Jostens Trophy, a national award for the most outstanding men's and women's basketball player in Division III. Both players were previously named as 2025 Player of the Year for the HCAC and have each also demonstrated the off the court values and commitment to service in order to be recognized as finalists for this prestigious honor. 

The Jostens Trophy honors - one for men's basketball and one for women's basketball - are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2025 season marks the 27th time the Jostens Trophy honors will be awarded.

Tate Ivanyo (Valparaiso, Ind.) from Anderson University was named the 2025 HCAC Player of the Year. The senior was the sole unanimous 2025 All Conference First Team selection and sits in the top 5 of the league in points per game (21), in the top 10 in rebounds per game (7) and in assists per game (2.6). Over the course of the season, Tate led the league in three-pointers with 78 total made throughout the season, where he averages three three-pointers a game. He also sits in the top 2 for free throw percentage with a .885.

Like Ivanyo, Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) from Hanover College also received the 2025 HCAC Player of the Year honors. Grace led the conference in scoring (22.1 PPG) and ranked 12th in all of NCAA Division III in that category.  She also led the HCAC in rebounding (9.4 RPG). Her field goal percentage of .468 was second best in the conference.

The 10 finalists from each gender now move on to the national selection committee which includes college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected media members.
The final Jostens trophy winner is selected in late-March.

For more information on HCAC Basketball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the HCAC's home on the internet at www.heartlandconf.org. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference news by following @HCACDIII on Twitter and by liking the "HCAC DIII" Facebook page.