Missouri Western men’s basketball placed 29th for the 2013-14 Division II men’s basketball attendance averaging 1,401 (19,609) fans for its 14 home contests. Northern (S.D.) State out of the NSIC led Division II with an average of 3,383 (54,129) fans per home game.

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association led the nation in Division II men’s basketball attendance average for the 2013-14 season, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced recently.

The MIAA drew 262,573 fans to its 14 institutions’ 199 home games last season for an average of 1,319 fans per home game. The MIAA averaged 100 fans more then the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference which averaged 1,228 per game.

Other MIAA schools which cracked the top 30 were Fort Hays State in third with 2,717 fans per game, Central Missouri in the sixth position with 2,257 fans per game, Washburn came in 15th with 1,907 fans, Emporia State came in 22nd with 1,549 fans and Missouri Southern came in 25th drawing 1,496 fans per contest.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffons Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brett Weiberg announced the signing of one more student-athlete that will join the program for the 2014-15 season. Aaron Emmanuel a transfer from Missouri S&T will join freshman Mason Hughes of Olathe, Kan., Currie Byrd a forward from Montgomery, Texas, Seth Bonifas a forward from Dubuque, Iowa and Cole Clearman a guard from Bettendorf, Iowa at MWSU next fall.

Emmanuel, a transfer from Missouri S&T, will have three years of eligibility at Missouri Western. He is from Brampton, Ontario and played at LaLumiere School.

Last season for the Miners Emmanuel played in 27 games with 22 starts. He averaged 23.9 minutes of playing time while shooting 53.5-percent (92-172) from the field and 60.5-percent (49-81) from the charity stripe. He averaged 8.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.8 steals per game. He scored in double figures 11 times with a season best 23 points against McKendree on February 8, 2014.

Emmanuel also had a season high eight assists against William Jewell on March 12, 2014. In 2012-2013 he played in the first three games of the year before suffering a season-ending injury. He averaged 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in those three contests with 10 assists and three steals. He scored a season-high eight points at Emporia State and had three rebounds on two occasions.

In high school, Emmanuel averaged 12.3 points and six rebounds per game in the 2011-12 season at LaLumiere Prep, a school located in northwest Indiana that recorded a 23-5 record and a No. 5 ranking in the state of Indiana. He played in a strong high school program at Father Henry Carr High School in Brampton, Ont., the same place that produced former Miner standout A.J. Mandani. He is the son of Sylvester and Joan Emmanuel and plans on majoring in technical communications and business.

“We are very excited and happy to have Aaron joining us here at Missouri Western State University,” stated Coach Weiberg. “He is a strong physical point guard that is truly concerned with winning and making his teammates better. He has three years left to play and he will help solidify that position for the future. Aaron is a good person who loves basketball and winning. He will be a fine addition to Griffon Basketball and Missouri Western State University.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western men’s golfer Brice Garnett was one of ten Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends that were elected to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2014 which was held on Thursday, June 5 at the Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street in Kansas City, Mo. The event was held in the Truman Forum Auditorium.

Brice Garnett, Men’s Golf Athlete
Missouri Western, 2002-06
NCAA Division II All America, 2004, 2005, 2006; Placed 4th at Division II National Championships in Savannah, GA, 2005; Placed 62nd at Division II National Championships in Deland, FL, 2004; NCAA Division II All Region, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; NCAA Division II Super Regional Champion, 2004, 2005; MIAA All Conference, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; MIAA Conference Champion, 2004, 2005, 2006; 12 All-time Collegiate Wins; 6 Collegiate Wins in a Row; 1st Ever MIAA Player of the Year, 2006; Graduated Cum-Laude, Business Finance, 2006; MWSU Male Student Athlete of the Year, 2005, 2006; Ken B. Jones MIAA Student Athlete of the Year Finalist, 2006; Ken B. Jones MIAA Student Athlete of the Year Nominee, 2005; MIAA All Academic, 2004, 2005, 2006; Presidential Honor Roll, 2004, 2005; Deans Honor Roll, 2003, 2005, 2006; Financial Executive Institute Award, 2006. After graduation, went on the play professionally on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series. After the first five years on the tour, compiled an impressive 56 of 61 cuts made, finishing inside the top 20 on the money list each year, and inside the top 10 three of the five years. Finished top five in 15 of the 56 cuts made. Was named Adams Tour Rookie of the Year in 2006, in only 10 events, and won first professional event on Adams Tour at Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open in Baton Rouge, LA in 2010. Played way through 2009 PGA Qualifying School finishing 78th at Final Stage receiving Nationwide Tour status, and played 14 events on the Nationwide Tour in 2010. Garnett is in his first season on the PGA Tour where he has played in 19 events finishing in the top-25 twice and making 15 of the 19 cuts. He finised in a tie for 19th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Febraury 29, 2014 firing a three under 284 for the tournament. On April 6th he finished in a tie for 7th with a eight under 280 at the Shell Houston Open. He currently sits in 96th place in the Fedexcup Standings.

Other legends that will be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame are as follows:
Chuck Broyles, Football Coach/Athletic Administrator
Pittsburg State, 1990-2010

Don Corbett, Men’s Basketball Coach
Lincoln, 1971-79

Shelley (Foster) Duffey, Women’s Basketball Athlete
Washburn, 1991-95

Kendall Gammon, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1989-1991

Brad Hill, Baseball Coach
Central Missouri, 1995-2003

Rick Ledjevich, Baseball Athlete
Central Missouri, 1993-94

Heather Leverington, Women’s Track and Field Athlete
Emporia State, 1997-2002

Michael Obertop, Men’s Tennis Athlete
Southwest Baptist, 1991-94

Rhesa Sumrell, Softball Coach
Central Missouri, 1988-2006 & Missouri Western 1976-87

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western golf coach Greg Dillon has announced one more to his 2014-2015 class. Drew Lagan of Roanoke, Va. will join Corey Knight of Avondale, Ariz., Jakob Rudosky from Cortez, Colo. and Ryan Hand from St. Joseph, Mo. on the men’s team while Tiffanie Yabut from Omaha, Neb. and Celine Lim Shwu Ling of Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia) will compete with the women.

Drew Lagan is a 5-7 player from Roanoke, Va. where he graduated from Cave Spring High School. Lagan had a solid high school career being named All-State twice as well as All-District, All-Region and All-Metro three times each.

In 2013 Lagan was the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Junior Player of the Year and was selected to the Virginia team in the Viginia vs. Carolinas team match. He was also a four time Scott Robertson Memorial participant.

Lagan has played some solid rounds and will definatly compete at this level. He finished 3rd out of 62 players at the AJGA Preseason Tournament at St. James Plantation in Southport, NC and finished in a tie for fourth at the VSGA Junior State meet firing rounds of 71-73-68. He was also the 2013 Conference 32 Champion firing a 69 and a region 4 Co-Champion firing a 72.

“We are very happy to get a player that is of Drew’s caliber,” stated Coach Dillon. “Drew is a player that we can build around for the future. Drew has had an impressive junior golf career. His experience, work ethic, enthusiasm and confidence will be a great fit for our team. We are looking forward to having Drew here in the fall and his contribution to our team.”

One of the favorite local events of the year and the biggest athletics fund raiser for Griffon Athletics is set for June 14 & 16 as the 12th Annual Missouri Western Charity Golf Classic takes place at St. Joseph Country Club.

The weekend begins on Saturday, June 14 with the annual Hy-Vee Charity Dinner Party held at the farm of Steve Culver located on Highway 6 east of town beginning at 5 PM.  Several activities highlight the evening including a silent and live auction of sports memorabilia and other exciting items, great food, beverages and live entertainment by local artist Jared Johnson.  Each participant playing in the tournament receives two tickets to the party.  For persons not playing in the tournament, tickets are available for $20 at the door the night of the event.

Golf action gets underway on Monday with a 9:30 AM shotgun start at St. Joseph Country Club.  Each player receives a great tee gift including lunch, beverages and a Griffon Adidas half zip pullover.  Over $3,000 in prizes will be up for grabs including a contest on every hole and five hole-in-one contests.

Proceeds from the event benefit the YWCA Shelter for abused women & children and MWSU Athletics teams.

We thank our sponsors for their continued support of the event!

Platinum sponsors include; Johnson Controls, Hy-Vee, St. Jo Frontier Casino, Ellison-Auxier Architects and Nestle Purina Pet Care.

Gold sponsors include; Pepsi Beverage Company, Dream Weaver Graphics, O’Malley Beverage, St. Joseph Beverage, Stoney Creek Inn, Jimmy John’s, Nodaway Valley Bank & MGB Ingredients.

Bronze sponsors include; RS Electric Company & St. Joseph Country Club.

A limited number of spots remain to play in the golf tournament.  To secure your spot or to purchase tickets for the Hy-Vee Dinner Party, contact Brett Esely at 816-271-5904 or via e-mail at [email protected].

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western junior outfielder Ryan Degner has been named Third Team All-American by Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association which was released on Tuesday afternoon.

Degner led the Griffons in almost all offensive categories hitting a team high .383 and finishing the season the season getting a hit in 11 of his last 12 games. He led the team in hits (74), runs scored (46), doubles (16), total bases (124), slugging percentage (.642), on base percentage (.448), stolen bases (19) and RBI (49). He was second on the team with 10 home runs and had a hit in 41 of the Griffons 52 games this season which includes getting four hits in a game three times. He had a season best six RBI against the Northeastern State RiverHawks. He was also named to the second team All-MIAA and first team All-Central Region.

The Griffons finished the season 32-20 overall and 24-14 in the MIAA. They made it to the MIAA Tournament Championship game for the second straight season.

— MWSU Sports Information —

LaQuinta Jefferson, a finalist for the 2012 WBCA National Junior College Player of the Year Award, will transfer from Jefferson (Mo.) College to MWSU, head women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson announced on Tuesday. She join junior college transfers Miliakere (Mili) Koyamainavure of Suva, Fiji (Iowa Central CC), Mhykeah Baez of San Marcos, Texas (College of Central Florida), Chelsea Dewey of Gower, Mo. (Hutchinson CC), Sarafina Handy of Flossmoor, Ill. (Kankakee CC) and Mariah Jordan of Gary, Ind. (Pensacola State) along with freshman Olivia Hanson of Fort Smith, Ark. (Northside HS) and Anna Rogers of Greenland, Ark. (Greenland HS) to next year’s squad.

Jefferson, a 5-foot-11 wing, had originally signed with LSU in the summer of 2012. She will have two years of remaining eligibility when she joins the Griffons. She also signed with the University of Kentucky out of high school.

“We are excited to round out our 2014 recruiting class with Jefferson,” said Edmisson. “We believe she will, along with our previous signees add to the future success of our program. We are excited to have her in the Missouri Western family!”

Jefferson, a native of La Vergne, Tenn., averaged a team-high 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game for Jefferson College as a sophomore. She led the Lady Vikings to a 31-5 overall record, an appearance at the National Junior College Tournament, and a No. 7 national ranking.

Jefferson combined for 48 points in two games at the Region 16 tournament. She received NJCAA All-Tournament Team honors and earned a spot on the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association Junior College All-America team. Jefferson was one of three finalists for the WBCA National Junior College Player of the Year. She scored 38 points to clinch a berth for the Lady Vikings in the NJCAA National Tournament.

Jefferson, a three-year starter at La Vergne High School, was ranked the No. 64 high school prospect in America for the Class of 2010 by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. As a junior she put up 17.4 points per game and helped lead La Vergne High School to a 22-9 overall record. Jefferson was a three-time selection to the Daily News Journal’s All-area team and she was a 2009 Tennessee Sports Writers’ Association All-State recipient.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western tennis coach Tom Smith has announced the signing of two international student-athletes for the 2015 season. Sarah Giraldo a junior college transfer from Cali, Columbia comes to Missouri Western from Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kan. while Yasmine El Ghazi from Oujda, Morocco comes to MWSU from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan.

Giraldo, a 5-9, junior college transfer from Cali, Colombia played her high school tennis at Colegio Jefferson HS in Cali, Colombia. She transfers to Missouri Western from Cowley College. This past season she helped her team to a 4th place finish at the NJCAA Division I National Tennis Championships held in Tyler, Texas. The forth place finish ties the accomplishments of the 2007 and 2010 teams. Giraldo made it to the consolation finals where she fell at No. 2 singles. She went 3-2 in singles competition at the National Tournament. In No. 3 doubles she and her partner fell in the semifinals. As a freshman she made an appearance at the Wilson/ITA Small College National Tournament where she was a quarterfianalist at the No. 3 doubles position. She is the daughter of Raul Giraldo and Maria Claudia Betancourt and plans on majoring in business marketing.

“Sarah has the length and athletic ability to become a very competitive two or three in our line up.” commented Coach Smith.

El Ghazi, a 5-6, transfer from Oujda, Morocco played her high school tennis at Zi Ri Ben Atia in Oujda, Morocco. She transfers from Johnson County CC. El Ghazi will have three years of eligibility at MWSU. As a freshman she earned a No. 31 ITA singles ranking making her the only women’s player on JCCC’s 2014 roster to earn a preseason national ranking. She is an extremely strong player with great athleticism. She has a strong forehand when her serve is on it is her greatest weapon. She is the daughter of Jalil and Islem and her brother Yassir playes tennis for Rockhurst Univeristy. She plans on majoring in accounting.

“Yasmine can step in at #1 or #2 and when she is healthy she can be very competitive,” said Smith. “She has a great serve and is very athletic.”

— MWSU Sports Information —