The Missouri Western State University football team was tabbed fourth in both the MIAA preseason coaches’ poll and media poll which were announced today, Monday, August 1, 2011 at the annual football luncheon at the Kansas City Marriot Hotel.

Western received 58 points in the coaches poll trailing Northwest Missouri with 78, Washburn with 71 and Central Missouri with 65.  The Bearcats received seven first place votes while the Ichabods of Washburn received three first place votes.

In the media poll, the Griffons were also fourth receiving 252 points. Northwest Missouri received 23 first place votes from the media members and league SID’s who voted in the poll. Western trailed Northwest Missouri receiving 333 points, Washburn 305 points with seven first place votes and Central Missouri with 281 points and five first place votes.

The first thru fifth spots in both polls were the same with Northwest Missouri State, Washburn, Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Pittsburg State being the top five teams respectively. The sixth and seventh sports were swapped by Missouri Southern and Emporia State in both polls. The Lions were sixth in the coaches’ and seventh in the media while the Hornets seventh in the coaches’ and sixth in the media. The eighth thru tenth spots in both polls were the same with Truman State, Fort Hays State and Lincoln rounding out the polls respectively.

The Griffons are coming off a season where they made their second NCAA Division II Playoff appearances finishing the season 8-4 overall and 6-3 in the MIAA. Western will report to camp on Wednesday, August 10 with their first outside workout on Thursday, August 11 with a time yet to be determined. Western will open up their 2011 season at home against Pittsburg State University on Thursday, September 1st at 6:00 pm from Spratt Stadium.

2011 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Northwest Missouri (7) – 78 pts.
2. Washburn (3) – 71 pts.
3. Central Missouri – 65 pts.
4. Missouri Western – 58 pts.
5. Pittsburg State – 51 pts.
6. Missouri Southern – 34 pts.
7. Emporia State – 33 pts.
8. Truman – 32 pts.
9. Fort Hays State – 19 pts.
10. Lincoln – 9 pts.

2011 MIAA Preseason Media Poll

1. Northwest Missouri (23) – 333 pts.
2. Washburn (7) – 305 pts.
3. Central Missouri (5) – 281 pts.
4. Missouri Western – 252 pts.
5. Pittsburg State – 219 pts.
6. Emporia State – 159 pts.
7. Missouri Southern – 136 pts.
8. Truman – 112 pts.
9. Fort Hays State – 92 pts.
10. Lincoln – 36 pts.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western State University and Griffon Athletics has announced that Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Hansen has submitted his resignation effective August 1st, 2011.  Hansen will become the Head Boy’s Soccer Coach at Carbondale High School in Carbondale, Illinois.

“My decision to resign from Missouri Western is solely based on family,” Hansen said.   “We are going to pursue an opportunity closer to both my wife’s family as well as mine.”

Hansen coached the women’s soccer team for five seasons with his first being in 2006. During his stint at Western he coached 14 players to All-MIAA honors as well as four MIAA Players of the Week (2 defensive and 2 offensive). He coached the Griffons first ever Daktronic’s all-Region selection in Jessica Martin, earning second team honors in 2009.

“Jeff has been a valued member of the Griffon Athletics program for the past five years and we wish him well in his new opportunity,” said Dan Nicoson, Interim Athletics Director. “This move will allow Jeff and his wife to live closer to their families, while he continues his coaching career. I have no doubt he will be successful.”

His teams also excelled in the classroom as one player was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 Second Team and two were named to the third team. He had numerous players earn all-MIAA Academic Honors as well as MWSU Academic Honors.

“It is unfortunate that this opportunity for Coach Hansen has arisen at a date so near the start of the season,” stated Nicoson. “Our goal will be to see that the student-athletes on our soccer team are well served and we will move quickly to fulfill the coaching needs.”

He is the all-time winningest coach in Griffon soccer history and his 2009 team set the school record for most wins in a season (8), most MIAA wins in a season (6), points in a season (73), goals in a season (26), assists in a season (21), shots attempted in a season (198) and shots on goal in a season (97). For their efforts that year they were named the 14th most improved soccer team in the nation according to Somis Sports.

“I want to thank the athletics administration, coaching staff, faculty, and university administration for the support over the last five years. We will always have a special place for Missouri Western and the City of St. Joseph.”

A national search for the next Griffon Women’s Soccer coach will begin immediately.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western State University will induct three individuals and two teams into its Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Saturday, October 8. Two coaches, a former Griffon football player and two men’s teams will be honored during the Wendy’s Hall of Fame Weekend festivities.

The 2011 inductees are Jerry Partridge, Jeff Mittie, Kasey Waterman, the 1989-1990 men’s basketball team and the 1997 men’s golf team.

Jerry Partridge – Football – (1997-Present)

Griffon football’s sixth head coach became the program’s winningest coach in 2006 and currently holds a 103-59 overall record. Partridge leads all active MIAA coaches in wins and is third on the all-time conference list.

During his 14 year tenure, the Griffons have reached the post-season eight times, including six consecutive trips from 2005-2010. Partridge led the team to its only two NCAA Division II Playoff berths in 2006 and 2010. In 2003, Western won a share of its only MIAA championship.

Partridge was named MIAA Co-Coach of the year in 2000, and has coached an MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, four MIAA Freshman of the Year and has had over 200 players named All-MIAA. Partridge has also coached 18 All-Americans, and led the Griffons to a school record nine wins five times in the last eight years.

After winning three letters as a defensive back for the Griffons, Partridge began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Western in 1985. He also served as a graduate assistant at the University of Missouri, and was a graduate assistant on Lou Holtz’s 1988 Notre Dame National Championship staff.

Partridge returned to Western and served as Stan McGarvey’s defensive coordinator and also had defensive coaching stints at Murray State and Austin Peay before being named head coach at his alma mater in 1997.

Jeff Mittie – Women’s Basketball – (1992-1995)

Jeff Mittie was 76-17 in three seasons at the helm of the Griffon Women’s Basketball program. Mittie was twice named MIAA Coach of the Year, first in 1994 after the Griffons went 16-0 in conference play, and again in 1995 after going 15-1 in the MIAA.

Two of Mittie’s squads set program records for wins; 29 in 1993-94 and 31 in 1994-95. Both teams were MIAA regular season champs and the 1995 team won the MIAA tournament. Mittie’s 1994 and 1995 squads won NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships, and in 1995 the Griffons won two games in the Elite Eight, finishing the season ranked third in the nation.

Under Mittie’s tutelage, Tonya Foster and Amy Towne were named All-Conference, All-Region and All-America selections during their careers. Both Foster and Towne set school records for single-season points scored, field goal percentage and blocked shots. They also set marks for career field goal percentage and blocked shots. Seven squad members picked up Academic All-MIAA honors and two snagged GTE/College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District VII accolades. Before assuming the head coaching duties, Mittie served one season as assistant basketball and baseball coach at Western. Mittie is currently in his 12th year at the helm of the Texas Christian University women’s basketball team. He is the Horned Frogs all-time wins leader and has been named conference coach of the year five times.

Kasey Waterman – Football – (1998-2001)

A record-setting quarterback from 1998-2001, Kasey Waterman currently holds or has held 13 different school passing and offensive records and five MIAA records.

A four-year starter for the Griffons, Waterman currently holds school marks for passing  touchdowns, pass yards per game, total offense per game, pass attempts in a season and passing touchdowns in a season, as well as several other single game and season records. Waterman left Western as the MIAA’s All-Time leader in career passing yards, pass completions and touchdown passes. He was named the 1998 MIAA Co-Freshman of the Year and received All-MIAA honors all four years. In 2000, Waterman led the Griffons to an 8-1 conference record and the programs first postseason berth in 21 years.

Waterman is currently the Athletic Director and head girl’s track coach at Northgate Middle School in North Kansas City.  He has also served as an assistant football coach at North Kansas City High School where five of his quarterbacks have earned college football scholarships. He and his wife Camilla currently reside in St. Joseph with their two sons, Kayden and Cooper.

1989-1990 Men’s Basketball Team

Missouri Western’s first NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball team went 24-7 and won the MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Titles in their inaugural year in the league and advanced to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional in their first tournament appearance.

In head coach Tom Smith’s second year at Western, the Griffons defeated Central Missouri 66-63 to win the first of four MIAA tournament championships in school history. Western advanced to the South Central Regional, defeating West Texas State 73-71 before falling to Southeast Missouri State 88-73 in the second round.

Current Hall of Fame members Mike Cornelius and Mark Bradley were instrumental to the teams’ success as Cornelius was named a third team All-American and Bradley earned All-MIAA Honors.  Western’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made, Heath Dudley also was a member of the team.  Dudley is also the Griffons all-time leader in games played, and is fifth in free throws attempted, fourth in free throw percentage and sixth in career scoring.

1996-1997  Men’s Golf Team

Winners of five out of eight regular season tournaments, the 1996-1997 Griffon Men’s Golf Team was the first and only Griffon golf team to compete in an NCAA National Golf Tournament, winning the NCAA West Regional and finishing 15th overall.

The team won the Missouri-Rolla Classic, the Missouri Southern Crossroads of America Classic, the Drury Comfort Inn Classic, the University of Missouri-St. Louis Riverman Invitational, the Lincoln University Invitational and on the second playoff-hole became NCAA West Regional Champions at the St. Joseph Country Club defeated Central Oklahoma in a playoff.

The team joins the 1994 and 1995 women’s basketball teams as the only NCAA Regional Champions in any sport in Missouri Western history. Coach Mike Habermehl’s team included Mark Korell (Honorable Mention All-American, 74.9 stroke average), Chris Weddle (75.1 stroke average), Erin Hatcher (75.8 stroke average), Joel Wilhite (76.7 stroke average) and Kyle Sinclair (78.3 stroke average).  Korell, Weddle and Sinclair all hail from St, Joseph while Wilhite is a native of Chillicothe and Hatcher from Savannah.

2011 Wendy’s Hall of Fame Weekend Schedule of Events:

Reception: Friday, October 7 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Fulkerson Center on the campus of Missouri Western University.

Induction Ceremony Brunch: Saturday, October 8 – 11:00 AM-1:00 PM – Fulkerson Center.

If you would like to attend the Induction Ceremony Brunch please RSVP to 271-4481 by October 1. Cost of the brunch is $20.00.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Tom Smith has announced the signing of two more junior college transfers to the National Letter of Intent for next season. Shawn Tarver and Dylan Frantz will join the squad for the 2011-2012 season.

Shawn Tarver, Jr. a 6-foot-8 forward will transfer in from McCook Community College. He played his high school basketball at Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Ind.  At McCook, Tarver averaged 9 points per game and 8 rebounds per game. He was a captain of his squad, named Team MVP and earned 1st team All-conference honors. Tarver plans on majoring in physical education at Western.

“Shawn is a forward whose style of play really fits our program on both ends of the floor,” commented Coach Smith. “He is a tremendous defender and rebounder and on the offensive end can score on the block or can face the basket and stretch the defense. At McCook he was a leader both on and off the floor and I look for him to contribute to our program in that capacity as well.”

Dylan Frantz a 6-foot-2 guard transfers to Western from Hutchinson Community College. Frantz played his high school basketball at Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, Kan. He was an Honorable Mention All-State selection after averaging 18 points per game his senior season at Phillipsburg. Last season, at Hutchinson he played in 33 games with 23 starts helping them to a 26-7 overall record.

“Frantz is a tough hardnosed player with high character,” stated Coach Smith. “Has the type of work ethic and attitude that will be a great addition to our team and program.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women’s basketball placed 13th for the 2010-11 Division II women’s basketball attendance averaging 1,384 (17,997) fans for its 13 home contests. Northern (S.D.) State out of the NSIC led Division II with an average of 2,399 (31,187) fans per home game.

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association led the nation in Division II women’s basketball attendance average for the 2010-11 season, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced recently, which is the fourth time in six years that the MIAA captured the attendance title.

The MIAA drew 174,921 fans to its 12 institutions’ 164 home games last season for an average of 1,067 fans per home game. The MIAA averaged 206 fans more then the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference which averaged 861 per game.

The MIAA brought in the most fans of any Division II conference. Seven conferences – The MIAA, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (156,714), the Lone Star (149,113), the Golf South (119,841), the Rocky Mountain Athletics Conference (114, 618), the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (113, 268), and the Great Lakes Valley (105,813) cracked 100,000 in total attendance last season.

Other MIAA schools which cracked the top 15 were Emporia State in second with 2,051 fans per game, Washburn in the fourth position with 1,854 fans per game, Fort Hays State came in seventh with 1,667 fans and Pittsburg State finished in eleventh drawing 1,413 fans per contest.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Smith adds Belgium-native shooting guard Alex Teluka-Mfumupembeto to the roster for the 2011-2012 basketball season. Teluka is a transfer from Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill.  The 6-3, 190 lbs sharpshooter averaged 10 points per game for the Cougar’s in 2010-2011.

“He was a kid who might have been thinking Division I until right at the end,” Missouri Western Head Basketball Coach Tom Smith, said.  “Some things fell through in his recruiting at the DI level, so we felt like he’d be a good fit for DII.”

Teluka came to Missouri Western on a recommendation from Coach Smith’s first assistant, and former Highland Community College Basketball Coach, Pete Norman.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western head men’s basketball coach Tom Smith has announced his team’s 2011-2012 schedule. The Griffons will play 27 games including an exhibition game to open the season, with 14 total games in the MWSU Fieldhouse. Coach Smith will have an opportunity to earn his 600th win in front of the home crowd when the Griffons officially open the season November, 12 against Fontbonne University. Nearly all Saturday MIAA games will move to the afternoon this season with men’s games tipping off at 3:30 p.m.

After the traditional exhibition game at the fieldhouse against Livin the Dream, Fontbonne University makes the trek across the state from St. Louis. The Griffons will stay home early with Manhattan Christian College coming to town, and games against William Jewell and Rockhurst in the 20th Annual Hillyard Tip-Off Classic. Western will then travel to San Antonio, Texas for the River City Shootout to face Angelo State and Southeastern Oklahoma State. The Griffons wrap up November on the road at Pittsburg State to open MIAA play.

The Griffons will have a short December, with just four conference games before Winter Break. Western welcomes Emporia State and defending MIAA champion and 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifier, Missouri Southern to the fieldhouse the first week of December. The Griffons then head across the state line for conference games at Fort Hays and Washburn. Fort Hays is the second of two 2011 NCAA South Central Regional participants the Griffons will face.

After a short break, rival Northwest Missouri travels to the field house to bring in the new year in the first of nine January games for the Griffons. It will be the first of three straight home games followed by Lincoln and Truman State. Then it’s off to Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist before returning home for a rematch with Pittsburg State. Western wraps up January with Emporia State on the road and Washburn and Fort Hays at home.

The Griffons will hit the road for a challenging four game road stretch that begins with the defending conference champions in Joplin, then a rematch with the rival Bearcats before heading to Lincoln and Truman State. After four on the road, Western will close out the regular season with home games against Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist.

Click here for the entire 2011-2012 schedule.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western State University head women’s basketball coach Lynn Plett has announced the Griffons’ 2011-12 women’s basketball schedule. The 26-game slate includes 12 home games, six games outside the MIAA, four games against 2011 NCAA tournament qualifiers and a match-up with an NCAA Division I opponent. Nearly all Saturday MIAA games will move to the afternoon this season with women’s games beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The Griffons will tip-off the season on Saturday, November 12 at home against Quincy University. The Lady Hawks were a 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifier, falling in the second round to Wisconsin-Parkside. The Griffons will spend the rest of the month on the road, making stops in Colorado and Kansas City before opening the MIAA season at Pittsburg State on November 30.

Western returns home for two conference match-ups at the MWSU Fieldhouse in the first week of December against Emporia State and Missouri Southern. Then it’s back on to the road for the Griffons at conference foes Fort Hays and Washburn. The Lady Blues represent the second of four 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifiers the Griffons will face. Western will close out December with a trip to Omaha, for what will now be a game against a Division I opponent.

The Griffons bring in the new year with three MIAA contests at home in seven days. Western will face 2011 MIAA Champion and national quarter finalist, Northwest Missouri State on January 4. Lincoln and Truman State will also make trips to St. Joseph that week. The Griffons will then head to Warrensburg and Bolivar for two road games in four days before returning home to face Pittsburg State for the second time. Western will wrap up January with a trip to Emporia State and finish the month with Washburn at home.

On February 1, Fort Hays State will be on campus, with Western then traveling to Missouri Southern that weekend. On the sixth, the Griffons will travel to Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns have made the trip to St. Joseph for the last two NCAA Division II Elite Eight tournaments. Western will then head out on a three game road swing beginning at Northwest Missouri, then to Lincoln and wrapping up at Truman. Western will welcome Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist to the fieldhouse to close out the regular season.

Click here for the entire 2011-2012 schedule.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Former Missouri Western golfer Brice Garnett is tied for 1st after three rounds at the eGolf Tour’s seventh annual Southern Open, contested this week at The Club at Irish Creek (Kannapolis, NC) and River Run Country Club (Davidson, NC).

Adam Mitchell (Atlanta, GA), Clint Jensen (Jupiter, FL) and Brice Garnett (Gallatin, MO) are tied for the lead through 54 holes of the 72-hole event, with matching three-round totals of 15-under 199.

Mitchell, the tournament’s 36-hole leader following rounds of 66-65, held the lead for the majority of Friday’s third round before bogeying the par-3 18th to fall back into a tie alongside Jensen and Garnett. A member of the 2009 U.S. Walker Cup team, as well as the 2008 and 2009 U.S. Palmer Cup teams, Mitchell is looking to clinch his first eGolf Tour title after picking up career best T5 finishes earlier this year at the Samanah Classic in Morocco and the Willow Creek Open.

Jensen, the 2009 Southern Open champion, posted a third-round 64 playing with Garnett to move into a tie for the lead. Jensen trailed for much of the round, but closed with birdies at 13, 15 and 18 to earn a spot in Saturday’s final threesome. After winning in 2009 and 2010 (Cowans Ford Open), Jensen is still looking for his first win of 2011 after notching top-5 finishes in two of his last three starts.

Garnett, who won the tour’s River Hills Classic in June, is playing the tour for the first time since the win after twice competing on the Nationwide Tour and notching T15 and T30 finishes at the Rex Hospital Open and Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, respectively. In the third round, Garnett posted back-to-back eagles on 13 and 14 to reach 16-under for the week before succumbing to a bogey at the last.

Third-Round Results

T1   Clint Jensen         Jupiter, FL             69-66-64–199 -15
T1   Brice Garnett        Gallatin, MO            65-70-64–199 -15
T1   Adam Mitchell        Atlanta, GA             66-65-68–199 -15
4    Chesson Hadley       Raleigh, NC             67-66-69–202 -12
T5   Josh Gallman         Gaffney, SC             70-67-66–203 -11
T5   Jerry Richardson     Cary, NC                65-67-71–203 -11
7    Matthew Ryan         Santa Clarita, CA       66-67-71–204 -10
T8   Peter Malnati        Dandridge, TN           67-70-68–205 -9
T8   Carter Newman        Evans, GA               66-70-69–205 -9
T8   David Sanchez        Huntersville, NC        68-66-71–205 -9
T8   Ryan Nelson          Dickinson, TX           64-70-71–205 -9

Story Courtesy of Stewart Moore
Chief Operating Officer
VP, Public Relations
eGolf Professional Tour

MWSU Sports Information

Griffon women’s golfers Natalie Bird (Carl Junction, Mo.) and Shelby Stone (St. Paul, Neb.) were named to the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American Scholar Team. This marks the second consecutive season that Bird has received this honor and first time for Stone.

Last season Bird was an All-MIAA performer finishing in the top ten four times with her best finish coming at the Northwest Missouri State Fall Invite on October 8, 2010. She finished 3rd out of 42 players at the invite.  She also finished 6th out of 56 players at the MWSU Spring Invitational on March 27, 2011. Bird played 20 rounds averaging 84.9 shots per round. Bird will be a junior and is majoring in recreation sports management.

Shelby Stone had a very solid freshman campaign finishing in the top 15 in five events. She finished 1st at the Fort Hays State Women’s Invite on September 27, 2010 and 8th at the Green and Gold Spring Shootout on April 4 and April 5, 2011. She played 20 rounds averaging 85.8 shots per round. Stone will be a sophomore and is majoring in nursing.

The NGCA All-American Scholar Teams consisted of a total of 566 women’s collegiate golfers from Division I, II and III. In order to be eligible for this prestigious honor the student-athlete must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 and must have competed in at least 50% (Division I) or 66% (Division II & III) of the regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year.