Missouri Western Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brett Weiberg announced the signing of two more student-athletes that will join the program for the 2013-14 season as part of his initial signing class at MWSU. Freshman Charles Marquardt of Stilwell, Kan. and junior college transfer Ryan Devers (Eastern Oklahoma State College) from Tulsa, Okla. will join Wesley Mitter, Cortez Colbert and Dareon Jones who signed back in mid May.

CHARLES MARQUARDT – 6-8-250, FRESHMAN-POST-BLUE VALLY HIGH SCHOOL, STILWELL, KANSAS
Marquardt a two year letter winner at Blue Valley High School where he earned All-State and All-Conference accolades. As a senior he averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds per game. His greatest sports moment was hitting the game winning shot against Blue Valley North in the 2011-2012 season. He is a solid student earning Eastern Kansas League Scholar Athlete for four years. He plans on majoring in business at MWSU.

“I am very excited to announce that Charlie Marquardt has decided to come play for us here at Missouri Western,” commented Head Coach Brett Weiberg. “He is a big, strong, physical kid who works hard and is a good person.  Charlie had a very good senior year and I believe his best basketball days are ahead of him. A few of the things I like about Charlie are his character, toughness, and work ethic. I believe he is the type of player that will only get better with time. I am really looking forward to working with Charlie.”  Brett Weiberg

RYAN DEVERS – 5’8, JUNIOR-PG-EASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE, TULSA, OKLAHOMA
Devers will transfer to MWSU after playing his sophomore season at Eastern Oklahoma State College under Head Coach Scott Edgar. He played his freshman season at Cowley County. Devers played his high school basketball at Tulsa Central in Tulsa, Okla. At Tulsa Central he averaged 18 points and 4 assists per game while being named First Team All-State and being selected to play in the OCA Coaches Convention All-State Game.

As a Sophomore at Eastern, Ryan averaged 17.7 points per game while shooting 80.9 percent from the free throw line and 44.2 percent from the 3 pt line. Ryan led his team to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. Devers was named to the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference First Team and was also voted as First Team All-Region.

“Ryan is a winner in every sense,” stated Eastern Oklahoma Head Coach Scott Edgar. “He is a great person and very good player. From a coaching standpoint he made an excellent choice to play for Brett Weiberg at Missouri Western. I am convinced he will be an outstanding player at Missouri Western as he has been at every other level. I am very happy for him.” Scott Edgar-Head Coach at Eastern Oklahoma State College

“Ryan is a very good player and we are very excited about having Ryan in our program,” state Weiberg. Ryan plays hard and plays to win. He was won basketball games at every level that he has played at. I feel like he was the best PG in Region II basketball and one of the best five junior college point guards in the country. Ryan can run a basketball team but also has the ability to score the ball. I will expect big things from him in terms of leadership and work ethic. Ryan is a good player and a good person.”  Brett Weiberg

— MWSU Sports Information —

Four NCAA Division II men’s basketball teams will visit the Pentagon by Sanford Health in November as part of the inaugural Sanford Pentagon Basketball Showcase, Sanford officials announced today.

Augustana College, Northern State University, the University of Central Missouri and Missouri Western State University will compete in a four-game showcase on Nov. 9 and 10. Augustana and NSU will each play UCM and MWSU on alternating days (exact match-ups are to be determined).  Start times for the games, which will be played on the Pentagon’s Heritage Court, are 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Nov. 10.

The Sanford Pentagon Basketball Showcase begins a day after the University of Wisconsin’s regular-season contest against St. John’s University (NY) at the Pentagon.

Augustana and NSU are both members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while UCM and MWSU compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

“Basketball enthusiasts in this region should be excited for November at the Pentagon,” said Eric Larsen, general manager of the Sanford Sports Complex. “These four Division II games fill out an incredibly competitive and entertaining stretch of basketball at our new facility, and fans will have the chance to see familiar teams and some visiting Sioux Falls for the first time.”

Augustana, which finished the 2012-13 season 22-9, and UCM, a 22-8 team last season, both qualified for the NCAA tournament last year. NSU compiled a 20-11 mark, and MWSU was 10-17.

The Pentagon is scheduled to open in September and will hold a series of grand opening events throughout October and November for the Sioux Falls community. The facility is part of the Sanford Sports Complex located along Westport Avenue between Benson Road and West 54th Street in Sioux Falls.  The 162-acre complex is the home of the Sanford Fieldhouse and nine Junior Football fields. The Sioux Falls Ice Sports Association has announced plans to construct the Scheels IcePlex, and the Sioux Falls Tennis Association is also working to build a venue on site.

About the Pentagon by Sanford Health
The cornerstone of the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, SD, is the Pentagon by Sanford Health, a 160,000-square-foot, five-sided facility featuring nine basketball courts, including the 1950s/1960s-inspired Heritage Court. The venue combines state-of-the-art amenities—including high-definition video boards and executive suites—with period-specific finishes that are a nod to the nostalgic days of basketball.

The 3,200-seat Pentagon is home to Sanford POWER Basketball Academy, Sanford POWER Volleyball Academy, the NBA D-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women’s and Men’s Basketball tournaments and the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information, visit sanfordpentagon.com

— Press Release —

With the finalization of road game times, the 2013 schedule for the defending MIAA Champion Missouri Western Football team is complete.

The 11 game schedule features seven teams with winning records from a season ago including three teams with double digit wins (Emporia State, Northwest Missouri State and Missouri S & T).  The combined record of Griffon opponents was 70-50.

The season begins with a marquee match-up on MIAA Television as the Griffons travel to take on Central Missouri on Thursday, September 5th with game time set for 7 PM.

Missouri Western will play in Spratt Stadium six times during the regular season including the home opener on Saturday, September 14th against Missouri S & T who is coached by former Griffon Offensive Coordinator Tyler Fenwick.

Other marquee home dates include the Wendy’s Hall of Fame game on September 28th against Fort Hays State, Homecoming on October 12th against Northeastern State, Military Appreciation Day against Pittsburg State on October 26th, Kanza Bowl Champion Emporia State on November 2nd and Senior Day against Northwest Missouri State on November 16th.

Season tickets are on sale now by calling 816-271-5926 or log on to gogriffons.com.

2013 GRIFFON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thu. 9/5    at Central Missouri   7:00 PM
Sat. 9/14   vs. Missouri S&T   6:00 PM
Sat. 9/21   at Nebraska-Kearney   3:00 PM
Sat. 9/28   vs. Fort Hays State  6:00 PM
Sat. 10/5   at Central Oklahoma   6:00 PM
Sat. 10/12  vs. NOrtheastern State   1:30 PM
Sat. 10/19  at Missouri Southern   6:00 PM
Sat. 10/26  vs. Pittsburg State   1:30 PM
Sat. 11/2   vs. Emporia State   1:30 PM
Sat. 11/9   at Washburn   1:00 PM
Sat. 11/16  vs. Northwest Missouri State   1:30 PM

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson announced the signing of eight student athletes to the National Letter of Intent for the 2013-2014 season. The Griffons welcome junior college transfers Alexis Gray of Buffalo, N.Y. (Erie CC), Kyrsten Crawford of Augusta, Kan. (Hutchinson CC), Tiara Hall of Paris, Texas (Connors State College), Ariana Novack of Chicago, Ill. (Malcolm X CC) and Friday Chuol of Des Moines, Iowa (Kirkwood CC) along with freshman Megan Rasmussen of Reeds Spring, Mo. (Reeds Spring HS), Tanner Tripp of Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS) and Stephanie Lichtenauer of Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley HS) to next year’s squad.

Gray, a 6-3, center from Buffalo, N.Y. transfers to Missouri Western from Erie Community College. She played her high school basketball at West Seneca East HS in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Last season at Erie CC Gray averaged 14.8 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. She was voted her squads MVP and was an All-Conference performer.  Her son Zion has had the greatest impact on her athletic career and her greatest sports moment was scoring 48 points in a game in high school. She plans on majoring in biology at Missouri Western.

Crawford, a 6-0, guard from Augusta, Kan. transfers to Missouri Western from Hutchinson CC. She was born in St. Joseph, Mo. and moved to Augusta where she attended high school. Last season at Hutch she averaged 3.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. She made 76.2-percent of her free throws and 35-percent of her long range shots. She also shot 40.5-percent from the floor. She helped her team win back-to-back Jayhawk West Championships and NJCAA Region VI Championships. Hutchinson finished 3rd at the NJCAA National Tournament last season and second in 2011-2012. In high school she was an All-State and All-Conference performer. She is undecided on a major at MWSU.

Hall, a 6-1, forward from Paris, Texas transfers to Missouri Western from Connors State College which is located in Warner, Okla. She played her high school basketball at Paris High School under Coach TarShonda Ferguson. At Connor State she was a captain along with being named Second Team All-Conference. In high school she was a captain along with being named All-State and All-Conference and All-District Most Valuable Player. Hall plans on majoring in kinesiology at MWSU.

Novak, a 5-8, guard from Chicago, Ill. transfers to Missouri Western from Malcolm X College which is located in Chicago, Ill. She played her high school basketball at Provo East High School. She averaged 19.6 points and 6 rebounds per game at Macolm X College. Novak is a combination guard who handles in transition and is active in the passing lanes on defense. She is a good outside shooter who can play the 1 or 2 position. She plans on majoring in kinesiology at MWSU.

Chuol, a 6-3, post from Des Moines, Iowa transfers to Missouri Western from Kirkwood Community College which is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Chual runs the floor well and hits the offensive glass. She is a long player who will give the Griffons another low post threat. She is originally from Nairobi, Kenya and plans on majoring in pre-med at MWSU.

Rasmussen, a 6-3, post from Reeds Spring, Mo. comes to Missouri Western from Reeds Spring HS. During her high school career she averaged 9.4 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 0.8 blocks per game. She shot 43-percent from the field and 78-percent from the free throw line. She was a team captain as a senior and an Academic All-Conference performer for four years. She is a good student being a member of the National Honor Society and plans on majoring in biochemistry at Missouri Western.

Tripp, a 5-8, guard from Shawnee, Kan. comes to Missouri Western from Mill Valley HS. During her high school career she averaged 13.9 points per game and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 78-percent from the free throw line. She was a three time All-Kaw Valley League (KVL) player while helping her team to two KVL championships. She also helped her team to a second place finish at state in 2013 while being named third team All-State. She was also an honorable mention All-State performer as well as being selected to the Kansas-Missouri All-Star game. She is a solid student being a member of the National Honor Society. She is undecided on a major at MWSU.

Lichtenauer, a 5-10, forward from Shawnee, Kan. comes to MWSU from Mill Valley HS. While at Mill Valley her team only lost 10 games in the past three seasons. She averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds during her senior season. She helped her team to two Kaw Valley League (KVL) championships and helped her team to a second place finish at state in 2013. She was a two year team captain and was selected to play in the Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star game. She was also a first team All-State selection as well as a first team All-Area selection. As a junior she was the KC/US ARMY Player of the Month for January 2012 as well as being an All-State honorable mention selection. As a sophomore she was a first team All-KVL selection. She is undecided on what she is going to study at MWSU but she may go to be a counselor.

“We are excited about the addition of these young ladies,” commented Head Coach Rob Edmisson. “As a group we feel they will continue our programs progress in returning to a championship level. It’s our hope that they will help us build on the enthusiasm and interest the team created last year!”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Former Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Tom Smith was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame Thursday (June 6) evening in Kansas City, Mo. at the Truman Forum Auditorium. He was one of ten Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends and three national championship teams from the 2000’s that were inducted to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2013. He is the first Griffon to be inducted to the MIAA Hall of Fame.

Below are the bios for the 2013 Hall of Fame class.

Tom Smith, Men’s Basketball Coach
Central Missouri 1975-80, Missouri Western 1988-2013
Smith is the winningest coach in MIAA history with 535 victories and has 618 career wins. In his career he coached 51 All-MIAA selections, six All-Region/District picks and three NCAA All-Americans. He has coached Missouri Western to 12-20 win seasons and has 13 total in his career. He won five regular season MIAA Championships and four MIAA postseason tournament titles. He has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year three times in his career. He coached his team to regular season and tournament titles in their first year in the league and they advanced to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional. He also coached at Central Missouri from 1975-80 posting an 86-46 overall record.

Gene Bartow, Men’s Basketball Coach
Central Missouri, 1961-64
Bartow coached the Mules from 1961 to 1964 compiling a 47-21 overall record, including 20-10 in MIAA play. He went on to coach at the Division I level at Valparaiso (1964-70), Memphis (1970-74), Illinois (1974-75), UCLA (1975-77) and Alabama-Birmingham (1978-96). He led his 1972-73 Memphis State to the NCAA Championship game. He replaced legendary UCLA coach John Wooden and led the Bruins to a combined 52-9 mark in two seasons, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament and a third place finish in his first season in 1975-76. He served as the first head coach and athletic director at UAB for 18 years. He led the school to the NIT in the second year of existence and followed it up with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In 34 years as a head coach he compiled a 647-353 record. He led his teams to 20 postseason appearances and 14 NCAA Tournaments. He was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in November of 2009 and was named one of Valparaiso University’s 150 most influential people in October 2009.

Janet Clark, Women’s Basketball Athlete
Northwest Missouri, 1986-89
Janet Clark is the only Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball player to be in the 2,000 point club. As one of the best shooters in MIAA women’s basketball history, Clark also ranks fourth on the all-time MIAA scoring list. Clark averaged over 20 points per game in her final three seasons at Northwest en route to being named First-Team All-MIAA in 1987, 1988 and 1989. She is also in the 500-rebound club and ranks sixth all-time at Northwest in assists (320) and sixth in steals (204). Clark also finished her career as the all-time leader in three-point percentage at 40.1 percent, a mark she still holds.

Mark Curp, Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field Athlete
Central Missouri, 1977-81
Curp was an eight-time All-American for the Mules cross country and track programs, from 1977-81. He earned three All-American honors from 1978-80 in cross country, and five in outdoor track, including the 5,000 meters from 1979-81, and the 10,000 meters in 1980 and 1981. A member of the 1978 MIAA cross country championship squad, Curp is one of only three athletes to win the MIAA individual cross country title three times (1978-80). His Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field record in the 5,000 meters of 14:13.4 was set in 1981 and still stands to this day, making his record the oldest building record at Central Missouri. Curp also set the UCM school record in the 10,000 meter run in 1980, and the 5,000 meter run in 1981. Both marks stood until just last season, when Laban Sialo broke the 22- and 21-year old marks. After his UCM career, Curp continued to compete, and in 1985, he set the world record in the half-marathon at 1:00:55. His record stood for five years, and his mark stood as an American record until 2007. Curp is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the UCM Athletics Hall of Fame.

Dr. Peggy Martin, Softball and Volleyball Coach
Central Missouri, Softball 1976-79, 81-87; Volleyball 1975-78, 80-2008
Martin is the winningest volleyball coach in NCAA Divsion II history with a career record of 1,064-281-8. Martin’s 1,064-281-8 record made her the first coach in the Divsion II volleyball ranks to reach the 1,000 victory plateau. Martin is one of only three coaches in collegiate volleyball at all levels to reach 1,100 wins. Martin was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 1987 after directing the Jennies to their second place NCAA Tournament finish and a 42-4 overall record. She was named the Central Regional Coach of the year six times and the MIAA Coach of the Year 15 times. In 1980 she was named the AIAW Missouri State Coach of the Year. Martin led the Jennies volleyball team to 19 MIAA championships since the league began sponsoring the sport in 1982. She also guide them to 31 straight season’s in which they won 25 matches or more. Her teams made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances in a row, the most in Divsion II History, and reached the Elite Eight six times, highlighted by the runner-up appearance in 1987. As a softball coach she compiled a career record of 174-156 while guiding her team to two MIAA championships. She retired from UCM in 2008 and is currently the head coach for the Spring Hill College Badgers in Mobile, Ala. At Spring Hill she has posted a record of 75-24 entering her fourth season. Martin served as the chair of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee for six years. She wrote the books 101 Volleyball Drills and produced four instructional videos. She was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in Mobile, Ala. in 2006. She earned the distinguished alumni award from Indiana University in the spring of 2007.

Sherri Reeves, Women’s Basketball Coach/Assistant AD
Northwest Missouri, 1971-2001
1971: Was the first women’s basketball coach at Northwest. Compiled a record of 61-15 in her four seasons. Won the 1971-72 MAIAW title. First all-time in program history with an .802 winning percentage. Third in Northwest history in victories (61) and fourth in games coached (76). Was an “M” Club Hall of Fame (Northwest hall of fame) inductee in 2005. 1973: Helped jump start the women’s cross country program at Northwest while she was the athletic director. 1976: By the time Title IX mandates sports sponsorship for female students, Northwest was already sponsoring women’s programs of basketball, tennis, volleyball, track and field, cross country, softball and gymnastics. Named Senior Women’s Athletics Administrator Emeritus upon her retirement in 2001.

Harold Robertson, Basketball Athlete
Lincoln, 1974-78
Robertson is second all-time in the MIAA in scoring with 2,551 points in his four year career at Lincoln. He holds the MIAA career records for career (1,116) and single season (408) field goals made. He led all of Division II and the MIAA in scoring with 34.5 points per game in 1977-78 which stands to this day as the MIAA single season scoring average record. He helped Lincoln to advance to NCAA Division II Regionals in all four seasons he played for the Blue Tigers, also leading them to an MIAA Tournament Title and two MIAA regular season championships. In 1978 he led the Blue Tigers to the Elite Eight and was named to the All-Regional Team as Lincoln finished 22-6 on the season. That same season against Arkansas Little-Rock he set what is still the MIAA single game scoring record pouring in 59 points in the game. His 965 points that season still stands as the MIAA single season scoring record. He was twice named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player and earned first team All-MIAA honors three times. He was also named an All-American during his senior season. He was a fourth round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakes in 1978 and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 for his play at Lincoln University.

Warren Turner, Baseball Coach
Missouri Southern 1977-2007
Turner is the all-time wins leader in the history of MSSU baseball. With 852 career victories he also ranks 15th all-time in NCAA history. During his tenure, Turner took five teams to national tournaments. His 1978 squad finished second to Emporia State in the NAIA World Series at St. Joseph, Mo., and Turner was named NAIA national coach of the year that season. Turner’s 1986 and 1987 squads competed in the NAIA World Series at Lewiston, Idaho, finishing seventh and fifth, respectively. He coached MSSU to a pair of NCAA Division II World Series at Montgomery, Ala., with the Lions finishing as the national runner-up in 1991 and finishing fifth the following year. He led MSSU to the CSIC title in 1986, MIAA south division championships in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and MIAA titles in 1991 and 1992. His teams advanced to the NCAA-II regional tournament four times, finishing first in 1990 and 1991, Turner has been named conference Coach of the Year three times (CSIC in 1986 and MIAA in 1991 and 1992). He was the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992; NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year in 1978, 1985, 1986 and 1987; and NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1978. Turner was elected to the NAIA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2008. He also is a member of the MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ronnie West, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1990-91
West captured the Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year in 1991, leading Pitt State to a 13-1-1 record and the NCAA-II National Championship. He was named the MIAA Player of the Year that season, catching 74 passes for 1,495 yards and 14 touchdowns, setting the MIAA single-season receiving record that season. He was a two-time first-team All-MIAA selection and finished his career with 123 receptions for 2,521 yards and 27 touchdowns (all Pitt State records). West was a two-time first-team All-America selection (1990-91). He led Division II in punt returns and ranked second nationally in kickoff returns as a junior in 1990. West was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft, but his professional career was cut short by a knee injury.

Bill Westbrook, Basketball Official
Was one of the best MIAA basketball officials working over 20 years in the conference. During his career he worked games in not only the MIAA, but the Big 8 and Big 12 conferences. He did several NCAA Tournament games during the 1980’s, 1990’s and in the 2000’s.

Central Missouri, 2003 Baseball Team
The 2003 Mules Baseball team finished the season 51-7 overall and 27-2 in MIAA play winning the conference crown. They swept through the Regional in Warrensburg and went a perfect 4-0 at the World Series to claim the 2003 National Championship. The 2003 Mules had five first team All-MIAA players, including Player of the Year Zach Norman and Freshman of the Year Steve Murphy. The Mules also had two first team All-Americans in Norman and Joe Strada.

Northwest Missouri, 2009 Football Team
The 2009 Northwest Missouri State football team was one of the most prolific offensive teams in NCAA Division II history en route to claiming the 2009 National Championship. The Bearcats finished the season 14-1 and a perfect 9-0 in the MIAA claiming the program’s 22nd league championship. After falling in the season opener the Bearcats won 14 straight games to claim the title including knocking off Abilene Christian in a re-match of the season opener to avenge their only loss of the season . The offensive numbers continued to pile up for Northwest scoring 632 points on the season, a then-school record. The Bearcats also finished in the top 10 in the nation of seven categories including scoring, pass efficiency , total offense, turnover margin, sacks, passing offense and run defense. The 2009 bearcat senior class never lost an MIAA contest going 36-0 during their careers. Four All-America and five All-MIAA players along with 10 All-Region players emerged from the Northwest team. Included in the list of accolades was the NCAA Division II Receiver of the Year, Jake Soy, the AFCA Coach of the Year, Mel Tjeerdsma, and the Ken B. Jones Award winner for the MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year, Myles Burnsides. For Northwest it gave the program five consecutive championship game appearances, one of two schools at any level to accomplish the feat

Washburn, 2004-05 Women’s Basketball Team
The 2004-05 Washburn Lady Blues won the school’s first NCAA championship in any sport finished the season with a 35-2 record and winning 19 straight to close out the season. Washburn was led at the Elite Eight by Carla Sintra who was named the Most Outstanding Player after the championship game. Washburn won the MIAA regular season with a 16-2 record and won the MIAA postseason tournament in Kansas City as well that season. The Lady Blues swept through the regional playing in Springfield, Mo. and outscored their opponents by a combined 214-180 winning two games by double-digit finals. WU would then win two of the three games in the Elite Eight by ten points or more defeating Seattle Pacific 70-53 in the national championship game.

— MWSU Sports Information —

After seven years at the helm, Missouri Western Women’s Golf Coach Cathy Habermehl has retired.

Habermehl took over the program at a critical time in the early stages of its history prior to the 2006-07 season and built the team into one of the best in the MIAA.  In 51 events over the last five years, the team had ten first place finishes and 17 second place finishes.

“I feel that it is time for me to focus on other priorities in my life. After seven years, I feel I’m leaving the team in a good place, with great kids that can achieve another level with a new coach. I have been proud to be their coach and will always treasure their friendships,” Habermehl said.

Habermehl’s recruiting efforts produced many solid student-athletes in her tenure including the best player in school history as Natalie Bird was a four time All-MIAA selection and was this season named the MWSU/St. Joseph News-Press Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

For her efforts, Habermehl was voted by league coaches as the 2011 MIAA Women’s Golf Coach of the Year.

“We’d like to thank Coach Habermehl for seven great years at the helm of our women’s golf program,” said Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin.  “Her passion and dedication to the game of golf, her student-athletes and our department have been tremendous and the results have shown both on and off the course.”

The program reached new heights this season as for the first time, the team qualified a student-athlete for the NCAA Tournament as Natalie Bird competed as an individual in the Central Region Championship held last May at St. Joseph Country Club.

Coach Habermehl’s team excelled in the classroom and the community as well as her team boasted the highest department team GPA this past spring.  Women’s golf has also produced two of the previous three winners of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Community Service Award of the Year as Lexi Webb was the 2011 recipient and Casi Webb this past year.

A search for a new coach will begin immediately.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior third baseman Grant Fink has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America second team by the College Sports Information Directors of America..

The Spokane, Washington, native earned the award for the first time in his career. Fink was also a first team Capital One Academic All-District 7 and he has a 3.43 GPA in Sports Management.

Fink finished the season with a .397 batting average and tied an MWSU single season record with 14 home runs.

He also 77 hits, 14 doubles, 40 runs scored, 51 RBI, 137 total bases, and finished with a .706 slugging percentage and a .451 on base percentage.

Fink had a .959 fielding percentage making 44 putouts and 95 assists with just six errors. He has been on numerous All-America teams and is a finalist for the Tino Martinez Award which is given to the top player in Division II.

The Griffons won their first MIAA Championship in school history and finished the season with a 40-12 overall record, making just their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in program history.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Four Missouri Western baseball players earn Division II All-Region and All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Michael Schulze continued to bring in the awards being named the national and regional Player of the Year which included being named first team All-American and All-Region. Grant Fink and Bubba Dotson were named first team All-Region and second team All-America while Brandon Simmons was named first team All-Region and honorable mention All-America.

This is the third All-American honor for Schulze as he was named the National Player of the Year and First Team All-America by Daktronics. He was the MIAA and Daktronics Regional Player of the Year hitting .439 on the year for the Griffons scoring 70 runs while adding 17 stolen bases. He had 24 extra base hits and drove in 49 runs. He was also a First Team All-America selection by American Baseball Coaches Association along with being named the Central Region Player of the Year and a first team selection.

On the second team are teammates Grant Fink, Bubba Dotson. This is their third selection on All-America teams. Fink hit .397 for the year hitting 14 home runs and driving in 51 runs. He is also a finalist for the Tino Martinez Player of the Year Award and was a First Team All-America selection by Daktronics and Second Team selection by American Baseball Coaches Association. Dotson hit .359 for the season with 13 home runs and 59 RBI being named to the Daktronics All-American First Team and ABCA Second Team.

Brandon Simmons earned First Team NCBWA All-Region and Honorable Mention All-American. He became the Griffons first ever MIAA Pitcher of the Year selection and earned his second First Team All-MIAA honor this past season. He was also a First Team All-Region selection by the ABCA and Daktronics. Simmons was outstanding last season finishing with a 11-1 record. Simmons won 10 or more games twice and broke the MIAA and MWSU record for wins in a career. He won 35 games in his career. Simmons sits third in the MWSU record book in strikeouts with 228 and complete games with 20. Simmons started and appeared in 13 games with three complete games. He finished with a 2.91 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched.

The Griffons finished the season with a 40-12 overall record making just their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in school history.

— MWSU Sports Information —