For only playing in 21 games, Pat Graham made the most of his career at quarterback for Augustana. His 5,843 yards of total offense currently ranks eighth all-time and his 268.4 yards passing per game over a career still stands as the Augustana record. Upon his graduation, he held the single-season record of 283.7 yards per game in 1995, which now ranks fifth all-time. On October 28, 1995, Graham set three school records against Minnesota State when he completed 41 out of 62 passes for 564 yards. That game led Graham to be named National Co-Offensive Player of the Week. He was also named a three-time NCC Offensive Player of the Week, twice in 1995 and once during the 1996 season.
The two-time All-North Central Conference performer (1st team in ’95 & 2nd team in ’96) left his mark on the conference by setting several records, including: passing yards in a game (564), passing yards in a season (2,837), total offense in a game (573), pass completions in a game (41), pass completions in a season (238), pass attempts in a game (62), pass attempts in a season (407), and touchdown passes in a season (21).
Pat recalls the victory over North Dakota State in 1996 as the most memorable game of his career as the Vikings topped the Bison 34-25.
“They started the season the number one-ranked team in the country,” says Graham. “It was our first win against NDSU in over 20 years. I just remember the celebration in the locker room…absolute joy!”
Off the football field, Dr. Emil Knapp was a professor that left a lasting impression on Pat.
“I remember watching him play racquetball in the Elmen Center. He played racquetball religiously. I went to his office one time to get extra help for a math class and he said that he would help me if, in return, I would play racquetball with him. Being an athlete and much younger, I figured I could take him easily. He proceeded to carve me up and I left the court very humbled.
“He was the type of professor that cared about you as a person and wanted to get to know you as a person. He didn’t just see you as a student. He wanted to help you be the best person you could be.”
Graham graduated from Augustana in 1997 and went on to receive his Masters of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. Since his days in a Vikings uniform, his focus has shifted from the playing field to the sidelines as the head coach for Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Washington, where he is also a math teacher. His accolades as a head coach include: 1997 & ’98 Washington State B Champions, 2004 Washington 4A State Champions, 1999 East-West All-Star Head Coach, and 2005 Clark County All-Star Head Coach.
Pat resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife, Amy, and their two children, Payton and Rylee.
