The Missouri Western State University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee is excited to announce the 2012 inductees.  This year’s class includes; Bob Alcorn – Men’s Basketball, Jerris Evans – Football, Brice Garnett – Men’s Golf, Lisa Hughes – Women’s Basketball, Tony Williams – Football and the 1993-94 Women’s Basketball Team.

Jerris Evans · Football · (1998-2001)

Jerris Evans was a stand-out athlete on the offensive side of the ball for the Missouri Western football team throughout his career (1998-2001) as a Griffon. Evans holds almost every Griffon receiving record which includes; most receptions in a game with 13 against Truman State on November 10, 2001, most receptions in a season with 73 in 2001 and most receptions in a career with 200. He also holds the record for most receiving yards in a career with 2,928.

His freshman campaign was cut short due to a thumb injury.  He returned strong as a sophomore tallying 50 receptions for 707 yards and seven touchdowns.  He had 71 catches for 1,077 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior and 73 catches for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. He also had 44 punt returns for 469 yards (10.66 yards per punt return) and one touchdown in his career and 12 kickoff returns for 266 yards (22.16 yards per kickoff return). Evans tallied five 150-yard receiving performances with his best coming on November 3, 2001 when he had 13 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown against Truman State. He caught 10 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown on November 14, 1999 against Northwest Missouri State University.

In 2001, Evans was named the MIAA’s Offensive MVP and was named first team All-MIAA. He is still the only Griffon to earn MIAA Offensive MVP honors. He was also named to the Don Hansen Football Gazette All-America second team in 2001.

Tony Williams · Football · (1994-1997)

Tony Williams was one of the best running backs to wear the black and gold (1994-1997). He currently holds records for most rushing touchdowns in a career (34), most rushing yards in a game (283) against Missouri-Rolla in 1996 and most rushing yards in a career with (3,396).

In 1995, Williams had an outstanding season rushing for one yard shy of 1,000 finishing with 999. In 1996, he rushed for 1,597 yards and 17 touchdowns. In his freshman campaign in 1994 he rushed for 338 yards with a season high 86 yards and two touchdowns against the Washburn Ichabods on October 22 in Topeka, Kan. Before his senior season was cut short due to a knee injury, Williams rushed for 462 yards averaging 154 yards per game in the three games he played. He rushed for over 150-yards seven times in his career which included three being for over 200 yards. His high was 283 yards on 37 carries with three touchdowns against Missouri –Rolla on November 16, 1996.

Brice Garnett · Men’s Golf · (2003-2006)

Brice Garnett is the most decorated golfer to ever play at Western (2003-2006). Originally from Gallatin, Mo., Garnett was a three time NCAA Division II All-American (2004, 2005 and 2006). He was a four time NCAA Division II All-Region and All-MIAA player (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). He was the MIAA Tournament Champion three times (2004, 2005 and 2006) and was the NCAA Division II Super Regional Champion twice (2004 and 2005). In 2006 he was named the first ever MIAA Player of the Year.

While playing for the Griffons he won 12 career tournaments which included six in a row. In 2005 he placed 4th at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Savannah, Ga. and in 2004 he placed 62nd at the National Championships in Deland, Fla.

Garnett also excelled in the classroom graduating Cum-Laude in 2006 with a degree in business finance. He was the MWSU Male Student –Athlete of the Year twice (2005 and 2006) as well as a finalist in 2006 for the Ken B. Jones MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year. He was a three time MIAA All-Academic performer (2004, 2005 and 2006) as well as earning the Financial Executive Institute award in 2006.

Garnett is playing professionally on the Nationwide Tour which is one step below the PGA Tour. He has also played on the Adams Golf Pro Tour and the EGolf Professional Tour. On the Nationwide Tour he has played in 31 events making 16 cuts. He has placed in the top 10 twice and top 25 six times. He won his first ever professional event playing on the EGolf Professional Tour. He won the River Hills Classic in June 2011 at the Palisades Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Garnett recently qualified for the 2012 US Open by winning the Springfield, Ohio sectional qualifier on Monday, June 4. Garnett shot a 36-hole total of 9-under par in the victory. The US Open will be played June 14-17 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.

Bob Alcorn · St. Joseph Junior College Men’s Basketball Head Coach · (1959-1966) · St. Joseph Junior College Men’s Basketball Player · (1951-1952 and 1954-1955)

Bob Alcorn a native of St. Joseph helped put the Griffons on the basketball map.  He began his career as a player at St. Joseph Junior College during the 1951-52 season. During his freshman campaign, the team went 14-7. He averaged 18.7 points per game including a 30 point outing against Fairbury-Nebraska. For his efforts he was named first team All-Junior College Conference.  After a stint in the military, he returned for his sophomore season in 1954 averaging an outstanding 23.6 points per game with a 43 point game against Trenton Junior College. He was named first team All-Junior College Conference as well as Honorable Mention All-America.

After completing his playing career at Northwest Missouri State, Alcorn returned to SJJC to begin his coaching career in 1957 as an assistant. He held that roll until 1959 when he took over the head coaching position. He was the head coach until 1966 when he resigned to remain employed by the St. Joseph School District. His best season came in the 1961- 62 season when his team went 19-5 including sweeping the season series with Hannibal and Southwest for the first time in a single season.

Lisa Hughes · Women’s Basketball · (1986-1990)

Lisa Hughes was one of the most talented offensive players to ever play for the Missouri Western Women’s Basketball team (1986-1990). Hughes holds or has held numerous Griffon records. She holds career records for rebounds (1,002), field goals made (691), field goals attempted (1,498) and free throw attempted (570). She previously held records for most points scored (1,750) and free throws made (367). She is second on the list in those two categories.

During her senior campaign she was named First Team All-MIAA averaging 17.0 points per game and snaring 8.9 rebounds. She had 31 assists, 27 blocked shots and 46 steals. She guided her team to a 19-10 overall record and 10-6 MIAA record in Missouri Western’s first season as a member of the MIAA.

As a junior Hughes was an All-CSIC First Team selection averaging 15.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. As a sophomore she was an All-CSIC and All-District 16 First Team selection. She averaged 17.0 points and averaged 9.8 rebounds per game. As a freshman she played in 33 games with 13 starts. She averaged 10.2 points per game and 7.5 rebounds. She also led the team with 46 blocked shots.

She had a career-high 29 points against Northwest Missouri State on December 9, 1987 and a career best 19 rebounds at Avila University on December 11, 1987.

1993-1994 Women’s Basketball Team

The 1993- 94 Griffon Women’s Basketball team finished with a 29-3 record which was the most wins in a season at the time and eighth season with 20 or more wins up to that point.  Jeff Mittie guided the team in his second season to the school’s first ever NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance they defeated Missouri Southern 75-73 in the South Central Regional Championship Game.

The Griffons were led by the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player Tonya Foster to go along with Freshman of the Year, Amy Towne. The Griffons went 16-0 in MIAA play earning the outright MIAA Regular Season Title.

Jeff Mittie earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors while Foster was named First Team All-MIAA. Lashon Egans and Kelly Williams were Second Team All-MIAA selections while Jennifer Schaal earned Honorable Mention honors. Academically, Schaal and Williams were named to the MIAA All-Academic Team.

2012 Wendy’s Hall of Fame Weekend Schedule of Events:

Reception: Friday, September 28 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Fulkerson Center on the campus of Missouri Western University

Induction Ceremony Brunch: Saturday, September 29 – 11:00 AM-1:00 PM – Fulkerson Center.

If you would like to attend the Induction Ceremony Brunch please RSVP to 271-4481 by September 21. Cost of the brunch is $20.00.

— MWSU Sports Information —

For the second time in three years, Missouri Western Athletics was recognized for excellence in community engagement as the department was awarded the MIAA Community Engagement Activity of the Year Award as selected by the NCAA.

Each MIAA institution is eligible to submit their best community engagement endeavor, in which the event had to take place during calendar year 2011.

The “Kid Fan Program,” which was centered around the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship held at Civic Arena in March 2011, involved over 800 area middle school students from eight schools each of which adopted a region of the championship.  The program which had been used at three previous women’s basketball championships in St. Joseph, was created not only to engage area youth in the championship, but to also help create atmosphere and guarantee at least 100 fans for each team during all games at Civic Arena, knowing that some teams have to travel long distances to get to the championship and their fans may not be able to follow.

Students studied all aspects of their region including; historical features within the geography of that region, institutions within that region and also the progress of the teams that potentially would come to St. Joseph for the championship.  Once the regional champions were crowned and schools knew who their adopted team would be, students created welcoming signs, posters and banners and met their teams upon arrival in St. Joseph to make them feel at home.  Then on Monday of championship week, each of the eight teams made a visit to their school and took part in a 90 minute assembly in which team members talked to the students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and what it takes to be a championship student-athlete.  Once the games began at Civic Arena, the middle schools got to root their team on all the way through the championship.

Griffon Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin accepted the award last night (Thursday, June 7th) at the MIAA Awards Banquet at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Kansas City.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western head softball coach Jen Bagley has announced that she will be conducting a pitching clinic in June. The clinic will be a four week session on Wednesday evenings with three sessions per night. The first night of the clinic will be Wednesday, June 6th with the last night being Wednesday, June 27th.

You must reserve a spot as there is space limited to 8 pitchers per session. Session I starts at 5:30 pm and goes to 6:15 pm, with Session II starting at 6:30 pm and going til 7:15 pm and Session III starting at 7:30 pm and going til 8:15 pm. To reserve your spot please contact Coach Jen Bagley at 816-271-4480 or at bagley@missouriwestern.edu. The cost is $25 per person per night or $80 for all four sessions.

You must bring your own cathcer and the appropriate sized ball to the MWSU Softball Field at the Spring Sports Complex on the campus of Missouri Western State University.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western  baseball coach Charles “Buzz” Verduzco has announced two players to the National Letter of Intent for the 2013 season. The Griffons welcome transfers Alexander Kuniyoshi of Shoreline, Wash. (Edmonds CC) and Tyler Smith of Lynnwood, Wash. (Edmonds CC) to next season’s squad.

Alexander Kuniyoshi, a, 5-10 left handed pitcher will transfer to Western from Seattle University in Seattle, Wash. He played his high school baseball at Shorewood high school in Shoreline, Wash. In high school he was an all-League player all four years as well as a team captain his senior season.  In 2009-2010 he went 1-for-2 against Call State Northridge on March 20 with one double. He is planning on majoring in communications at Western.

“Alex, will give us a solid, experienced, arm this coming season,” commented coach Verduzco.” He comes from a junior college baseball program with a rich winning tradition and we look for him to fit in very well,” stated Verduzco.

Tyler Smith, a, 6-0 catcher/first baseman transfers to Western from Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Wash. He played his high school baseball at Lynnwood high school in Lynnwood, Wash. As a freshman at Edmonds CC he hit .320. Hit high school he was an Honorable Mention all-Conference selection twice. He plans on majoring in physical education at Western.

“Tyler, had to sit out this season due to an unforeseen injury but will be 100% this coming fall,” said coach Verduzco. “He has the experience and talent to come in and be part of replacing our graduating core of catchers. He is a heads up player that knows how to win,” commented Verduzco.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Junior pitcher Brandon Simmons and senior catcher Tony Loeffler earn south central region honors by the American Baseball Coaches Assocation team released Friday. Simmons was named to the second team while Loeffler earned Rawling South Central “Gold Glove” honors. For Simmons this marked the second time he has been named to an all-Region team in the past two days.

Brandon Simmons had an outstanding season breaking the MWSU single season record for victories with 12. He also leads the MIAA and the nation in victories. He made 14 appearances with 13 starts, pitching 10 complete games with two shutouts. He threw 92.2 innings giving up just 81 hits while striking out 65. He second on the team with a 1.94 ERA giving up just 20 earned runs. He won his last ten starts and lost just one game he has stared all season. He gave up two or less runs in 12 of his 14 outings. He was named MIAA Pitcher of the Week on Monday, May 7. He was honorable mention all-MIAA selection his first two seasons.

Loeffler was named to the Rawlings “Gold Glove” All-South Central Region team for his outstanding defense all season long. Loeffler played in 45 of the Griffons 51 games with 43 starts behind the plate. He held a 1.000 fielding percentage with 227 putouts and 32 assits. Offensively he had 24 hits with 22 runs scored. He had six doubles, one home run and 17 RBI’s.

Each member of the All Region Gold Glove Team will be eligible for NCAA DIVISION II Rawlings All-American Gold Glove consideration, which will be selected on Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Cary, NC in conjunction with the Division II National Championship Tournament.

The Griffons finished 34-17 and second in the MIAA at 26-12. They had their best finish since 2005 when they also finished second in the MIAA.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson has announced the signing of five student athletes to the National Letter of Intent for the 2012-2013 season. The Griffons welcome junior college transfers Tiffanie Abrams of Detroit, Mich. (Connors State College), JaQuitta Dever of Tulsa, Okla. (Seminole State College), sisters Sharniece Lewis of Warrensburg, Mo. (Highland CC) and Jallisa Lewis of Warrensburg, Mo. (State Fair CC) and four year transfer Heather Howard of Shawnee Mission, Kan. (Oklahoma State University) to next year’s squad.

Abrams, a 5-10, forward from Detroit, Mich. transfers to Western from Connors State College. She played her high school basketball at Alan Academy. Last season, Abrams played in 29 games leading her team with 15.7 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. She is a good shooter making 48-percent (151-314) from the field, 42.4-percent (64-151) from long range and 68.5-percent (89-130) from the charity stripe. She also dished out 32 assists and had 49 steals. She helped her team to a 17-13 overall record last season.

Dever, a 5-5, point guard from Tulsa, Okla. transfers to Western from Seminole State College. She played her high school basketball at Thomas Edison in Tulsa. She helped her team to a 19-9 overall record a season ago. Dever played in 28 games while leading her team with 14.1 points per game. She also averaged 3.4 rebounds per game to go along with 2.4 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She led her team with 135 field goals made and was second on the squad with 27 three pointers. She is also a solid free throw shooter making 70-percent (98-140) of her attempts. She plans on majoring in sports management at Western.

Sharniece Lewis, a 5-10, guard from Warrensburg, Mo. transfers to Western from Highland Community College. She played her high school basketball at Warrensburg high school. Last season, Lewis played in 32 games helping her team to a 28-4 record. She averaged almost 16 points per game while shooting 34.7-percent (79-228) from long range. She was second on her team with 200 field goals made and led her team snaring 6.7 rebounds per game. She averaged 1.1 assists per game and 1.8 steal per game. She was a First Team all-Region selection this past season at Highland CC. She plans on majoring in athletic training at Western.

Jallissa Lewis, a 5-10, forward from Warrensburg, Mo. transfers to Western from State Fair Community College. She helped her team to an 18-12 overall record a season ago. She played in 30 games averaging 5.1 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. She made 32-of-52 free throw attempts and 79-of-228 long range attempts. As a freshman she averaged 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest while starting eight games. She played a key role in the Lady Roadrunners Region XVI Championship. She played her high school basketball at Warrensburg high school, where she averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per contest.

Howard, a 6-3, forward from Shawnee Mission, Kan. transfers to Western from Oklahoma State University. She played her high school basketball at Shawnee Mission West high school. Last season, Howard played in 18 games averaging 7.6 minutes of action. She snared 11 offensive rebounds and blocked two shots. As a sophomore she played in 31 games making two starts which included the Big 12 Championship against Texas Tech. During her freshman season she saw action in 20 games which included against Kansas in the Big 12 Championship and against Chattanooga in the NCAA Tournament. Howard plans on majoring in sports management at Western.

“We are excited to add this group to the Missouri Western basketball family,” commented coach Edmisson. “We believe we have added a group of young ladies who will add athleticism and size to all of our positions. We felt like we needed to add a level of experience to our roster and this group brings a lot of floor experience to our program. I believe all of these players will add to the level of excitement that our program needs to improve our chances of success. We are excited about what this group will bring on and off the floor as they are the type of student athlete we were looking for. We will be looking to add several more players in the near future to round out our 2012 class,” stated Edmisson.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Despite getting 12 hits and stranding nine batters the Missouri Western baseball team could only manage two runs falling 3-2 in an elimination game against Fort Hays State. Western had five players with two or more hits as fall to 34-17 on the season.

Just like the first two games of the tournament the Griffons played from behind and made too many errors to come from behind.
The Tigers scored one run in the second inning on three hits and two Griffon errors. JC Ochoa scored on a throwing error by Michael Schulze trying to turn an inning ending double play for Western. The Tigers left the bases loaded in the inning.

In the top of the third Western responded with three hits which started with a Tony Loeffler single to right center. Loeffler later scored on a Schulze single up the middle. Western stranded runners and second and third in the inning.

Once again the Tigers went up in the bottom of the third with two outs as Brandon Hoefler doubled and scored on a Luke Kordsmeier single to the left side.

Western responded in the top of the fourth when Jimmy Smelcer singled to short stop and advanced to second on a throwing error by Sheldon Howell. David Chew hit a single to the left field scoring Smelcer which tied the score at two after four.

The Tigers got the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth mounting another two out rally. Nash Smith doubled down the left field line and then scoring on a Ryan Busboom single.

Western put runners on base in the seventh and ninth but could not get the big hit. Ethan Ward went eight innings giving up 10 hits and three earned runs while striking out a career best nine. Ward falls to 6-3 with the loss. Schulze went 3-for-5 with an RBI while Jake Graham, Nate Ramler, Smelcer and Loeffler all had two hits.

The Tigers improve to 29-23 on the season and advance to play the 5th ranked Central Missouri Mules in the MIAA Championship game. They will have to beat them twice on Sunday. Smith, Busboom, Hoefler and Kordsmeier all had two hits in the contest. Jesse Hart went 5.2 innings giving up 10 hits and one earned run. Brett Macari picked up his eighth save going one inning.

— MWSU Sports Information —