The Southwestern College men’s basketball team, including former head coach Jim Wheatcroft, will honor the late Graham Frazier at halftime of the women’s basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 26.  Southwestern head coach Matt O’Brien and Wheatcroft, along with former and current players, will be present as they recognize the achievements and remember the legacy of the late Graham Frazier this Thursday at halftime of the women’s basketball game.

Graham, a 1990 graduate of Southwestern College and native of Winfield, died June 14, 2011, in Winfield after a seven-month battle against cancer. 

Prior to his basketball career at Southwestern, Graham had a standout career at Winfield High School, including multiple league and state honors during his time as a Viking.  After graduating from WHS in 1985, he studied business administration at Southwestern College. 

While playing the post position for the Builders, Graham was a unanimous choice All-KCAC selection in his junior year.  In that year, he had seven consecutive games of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.  In the pre-season press conference, the late Ron Heller from Friends University addressed Graham’s impact upon the KCAC.

“We had to change our recruiting because of Graham Frazier,” Heller said.

Unfortunately, Frazier’s senior campaign was cut short when a broken foot ended his season in January of 1990.

“Graham was an MVP basketball player who after graduation was an MVP as a friend, employee, husband, and father,” Wheatcroft said.  “I miss him every day as does anybody else who knew him.”

After graduation, Frazier was employed by the City of Winfield, being named fleet coordinator in 1999, overseeing the care and maintenance of the vehicles in the city fleet. 

Graham and his wife, Jana, owned and operated Frazier Farms, a diversified Angus cattle and grain operation near Winfield.  In 2011, his family was honored by being named the Cowley County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year.  One of his passions included teaching the youth about love of farming and cattle. 

“He [Graham] enjoyed his college life, meeting many friends along the way,” says Jana Frazier.  “He strived to always do his best on and off the court.  Going to Southwestern helped him do what he had a passion to do, which was start our farm operation here in his home of Winfield, Kansas.”

He is survived by his wife and a son, Stephen.  Graham is also survived by his brothers, Kendal and John.