The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team was honored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association as having a top 25 GPA in NCAA division II for the 2012-13 season.

The WBCA Academic Top 25 annually recognizes women’s basketball teams across the nation in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, the NAIA, and junior/community colleges that carry the highest combined grade point averages (GPAs) inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2012-13 season is the 18th in which the WBCA has produced the honor rolls.

Northwest ranks fifth in the top 25 and is the highest ranking MIAA institution with a team GPA of 3.577. The Bearcats finished last season 15-13 including a 77-72 upset over Missouri Southern in the opening round of the MIAA tournament.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Five outstanding former student-athletes, a long time faculty-athletics administrator and two MIAA Championship teams have been chosen for induction into the M-Club Hall of Fame this fall.

This year’s class features individuals Herb Dieterich (administration), John Edmonds (football), Gena Lindsay (women’s tennis), Clint Prange (men’s track & field), Steve Savard (football) and Diane (Kloewer) Sprick (women’s basketball).  The two conference championship teams being inducted are the 1984 softball team and the 1992 women’s tennis team.

The Class of 2013 will be officially enshrined into the M-Club Hall of Fame during the annual festivities on Friday, Oct. 25 in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom and will be recognized during the Homecoming football game on Saturday Oct. 26.

Tickets for the Friday evening banquet are $20 each and may be purchased by contacting Michele Steinmeyer in the athletics office at 660-562-1977. The deadline to reserve your spot at the banquet is Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The 2013 class will bring the total of individual inductees to 117 and the number of teams to 44. The M-Club Hall of Fame was established for individuals in 1980 and teams were first enshrined beginning in 1989.

Herb Dieterich (Faculty-Athletics Representative, 1928-68) – Dieterich will be posthumously inducted with this year’s class. He was a fixture on the Northwest campus for four decades. His service to the University was as a principal in the Horace Mann Laboratory School, as an education professor and chairman of secondary education. His commitment to Northwest extended into the athletic department in his long-time role as the Faculty Athletics Representative.

John Edmonds (Football, 1999-2003) – A two-time All-MIAA linebacker, Edmonds was a member of a National Championship squad and four MIAA Championship teams during his time as a Bearcat. An exceptional student and athlete, Edmonds was one of two Division II athletes named a National College Football Scholar-Athlete in 2003 (the only Bearcat to ever receive this award) and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (known as the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy at that time) which recognizes the top college football player in any division with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. It is considered by many to be the “Academic Heisman”.

Gena Lindsay (Women’s Tennis, 2003-06) – A two-time MIAA MVP, Lindsay is in the top-5 in several categories including career singles wins (2nd), singles wins in one season (3rd) and career doubles wins (4th). She earned 1st team singles All-MIAA in 2005 and was honored twice by the league with the Sportsmanship Award.

Clint Prange (Track & Field, 2002-2006) – From 2002 to 2005, Prange was a dominate force in the Division II track and field world. He was a three time NCAA Discus Champion (2002, 2003, 2005).  In 2005, he was third in the NCAA indoor shot put and won the NCAA outdoor shot put title with a throw of 66-1, a mark that still stands in Division II track and field record books today. Prange concluded his career as one of the most decorated athletes in Bearcat track & field history. He was also honored by the MIAA as the Ken B. Jones Award winner (recognizing the top all-around MIAA student-athlete) in 2005.

Steve Savard (Football, 1982-1985) – Savard was twice named first team All-MIAA as a feared linebacker in the middle of the Bearcats defense and led the team in tackles three times during his career. He ranks 2nd all-time in tackles with 441. Savard went on to spend some time in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and is now a prominent media member in the St. Louis areas as well as the radio voice of the St. Louis Rams.

Diane (Kloewer) Sprick (Women’s Basketball, 1981-1984) – (Kloewer) Sprick’s  633 points and average of 21.1 points per game in 1984 are the best single season marks in school history. Overall she finished 4th all-time in career points (1,489) and is one of only 16 players to accumulate 1,000+ points/500+ rebounds in her career (1,489 points/686 rebounds). The two-time first team all MIAA selection also excelled in the classroom being named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1984.

1984 Softball Team – This team captured the school’s first MIAA title in the sport of softball. They outscored their opponents 158-57 on their way to compiling a 23-14 overall record. The Bearcat pitchers gave opponents fits all season holding them to a measly .196 batting average and recording two no-hitters. After capturing the MIAA crown the team went on to compete in the NCAA Division II Regional in Nacogdoches, Texas.

1992 Women’s Tennis Team – An undefeated 8-0 mark in the MIAA and a final record of 22-5 led to one of the most successful seasons in Bearcat Women’s Tennis history. The team featured three MIAA singles champions and one doubles team champion. The team combined for a school record 144 singles victories and accumulated the 4th most dual wins in a single season.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Tickets to the 12th edition of the Fall Classic between Northwest Missouri State University and Pittsburg State University will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, June 26 at 10 a.m. The 2013 version of the NCAA Division II rivalry is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Tickets for the game are $25 for Lower Level seating and $37 for tickets on the Scout Investments Club Level. Student tickets are available for $10. Fans interested in tickets for groups of 15 or more or suite availability can get more information by calling (888) 99-CHIEFS (24433). Parking for the game is $20 per car and $35 for RV/bus parking.

Tickets can be ordered by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office located between Founder’s Plaza and the Hy-Vee Gate on the north side of the stadium.

The taxpayers of Jackson County, Mo., and Chiefs Season Ticket Holders will receive first priority to purchase tickets for the Fall Classic beginning Monday, June 24. The pre-sale for Jackson County residents will begin at 9 a.m. with the Chiefs Season Ticket Holder pre-sale beginning at noon. Jackson County pre-sale tickets must be purchased in person at the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office. No phone orders will be accepted for this special pre-sale event on June 24. Jackson County taxpayers purchasing tickets must have one form of identification that includes a photo of the purchaser and a 2012 Jackson County, Mo., personal property tax receipt. The Chiefs will notify Season Ticket Holders via email prior to the sale with instructions on how to participate.

The 2013 match-up between the Gorillas and Bearcats marks the final contest in the 12-year showcase series between these two powerhouse squads for two seasons as the MIAA has expanded to 14 teams and will start a new opponent rotation in 2014. Northwest and Pitt State will not face one another in regular season play in either the 2014 or 2015 seasons.

These two Division II rivals have combined to win outright or share the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title in 21 of the last 24 seasons dating back to 1989. The Pittsburg State Gorillas have advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 17 of the last 24 years, capturing the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1991 and most recently in 2011. Meanwhile, the Northwest Bearcats have qualified for the playoffs in 15 of the last 17 seasons, including five straight national championship appearances from 2005-09.

Pittsburg State head coach Tim Beck begins his fourth campaign in 2013 with a 26-10 (.722) record. Beck garnered NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year honors after leading the Gorillas to a 13-1 record and the national title in 2011. Prior to assuming the head coaching post at his alma mater following the 2009 season, Beck served as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State for 23 years, including 16 seasons as the Gorillas offensive coordinator.

Northwest Missouri State head coach Adam Dorrel enters his third year at the helm of his alma mater after serving seven seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Bearcats. Dorrel has compiled a 21-6 (.778) record directing Northwest. He guided the squad to consecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2011 and 2012, the program’s eighth and ninth straight appearances in the NCAA-II postseason field.

For more information, please contact Northwest Missouri Assistant Athletic Director Nate Davis at (660) 562-1581 or Pittsburg State Associate Athletic Director for Communications Dan Wilkes at (620) 235-4147.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State Director of Athletics Mel Tjeerdsma announced Friday the hiring of Michael Smith as the seventh head coach in the history of Northwest women’s basketball.

“I would like to thank President Jasinski and Athletic Director Mel Tjeerdsma for this wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Bearcat Nation,” Smith said. “I was blessed to be a part of the Northwest family many years ago and had high hopes of someday returning to such a special place to continue my career.”

Smith will be formally introduced at a press conference at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, inside the Northwest J.W. Jones Student Union. Tjeerdsma shared his excitement about Smith re-joining the Bearcat family.

“Michael has quickly proven himself as one of the top women’s basketball coaches in the MIAA,” Tjeerdsma said. “Not only is he a great basketball coach but he understands the culture of Northwest and we are excited for him to return as our head coach.”

Smith, 39, returns to Northwest after five seasons as the head women’s basketball coach at Truman State where he posted a 68-68 record. A native of Sturgeon, Mo., Smith spent two seasons from 1996-98 as a graduate assistant for the Bearcats under the late Wayne Winstead – the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach at Northwest.

During his tenure at Truman State, the Bulldogs increased their win total each season and advanced to the MIAA Tournament the last three seasons. He helped lead the Bulldogs from the bottom of the conference with an 8-19 record in his first season to a 20-6 record in 2012-13 which included 11 weeks ranked in the WBCA Top 25 Poll. It was the most wins at Truman since the 1998-99 season as Truman State narrowly missed the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance since the 1999-2000 campaign.

Under the guidance of Smith, the Bulldogs saw nine players earn all-conference honors, and his basketball teams have shined in the classroom as well. Truman State finished sixth in Division II following the 2010-11 season in cumulative grade-point average with a team GPA of 3.57 and all 13 team members posted a cumulative GPA of 2.95 or higher, with nine surpassing the 3.30 mark. Three team members also earned the MIAA’s Academic Excellence Award for earning a 4.00 GPA.

“The last few weeks I have been able to learn more about Michael, his values, principles and the respect his players and peers have for him,” Tjeerdsma added. “The dedication he has for women’s basketball and the desire to see his players succeed on the court and in the classroom leaves no question that he will be a perfect fit.”

Prior to his time at Truman State, Smith served as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR) beginning in 2006. In his first year, the Trojans went 21-10, which was a school record in wins, and had the third best scoring defense in Division I, holding opponents to just under 53 points a game.

UALR set another school record with 23 wins in 2007-08 and captured the school’s first Sun Belt Conference West Division championship. They also received a bid to the WNIT tournament and finished with the third best scoring defense in Division I once again at 52 points per game.

After two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northwest, Smith served as an assistant coach at Angelo State (Texas) from 1998 to 2002. During his time at ASU, the Rambelles earned two Lone Star Conference South Division Championships and one Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship. While at ASU the Rambelles also advanced to the NCAA South Central Region tournament in 2002 before Smith was named the head women’s basketball coach at Moberly Area Community College (MACC).

During his tenure at MACC, the Lady Greyhounds were ranked nationally in the Top 25 poll 27 weeks between 2003 and 2006 and peaked as high as No. 2 in the 2005-2006 preseason ranking. The Lady Greyhounds made consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearances for the first time in 15 years and won the consolation championship at the tournament in 2005.

Smith was named Region XVI and District L Coach of the Year twice at MACC, in 2005 and 2006. Four Lady Greyhounds also earned NJCAA All-America honors with one WBCA All-America selection.

Smith received his Bachelor of Science from Central Methodist in 1996 with an emphasis in physical education and health. He earned his master’s degree from Northwest in 1998 in physical education and health as well.

— Northwest Sports Information —

A trio of Northwest Missouri State baseball players were honored Thursday earning All-MIAA accolades as announced by the league office.

Outfielder Ryan Abernathy was tabbed second-team all-conference as Eric McGlauflin also earned second-team honors at designated hitter. Junior pitcher, Ryker Fox, joined the duo earning Honorable Mention accolades as a starting pitcher for the Bearcats.

Abernathy hit .319 and finished in the top 10 in the MIAA in runs scored (50), triples (3), walks (27) and stolen bases (14). The junior also led the Bearcats in hits with 58 and doubles with 13. A native of Chesterfield, Mo., Abernathy was a first-team selection last year.

McGlauflin was a second-team pick after earning Honorable Mention honors a year ago. The designated hitter finished with a .301 batting average and a .454 slugging percentage while driving in 33 runs.

Fox finished with a 5-5 record in his first season with the Bearcats after making 12 appearances in 61 innings pitched. The junior tallied a 3.98 ERA with a team-high 47 strikeouts as he added two complete game shutouts on the season.

— Northwest Media Relations —

The Northwest Missouri State men’s tennis team saw its season come to an end Wednesday as the 24th-ranked Bearcats fell 5-1 to 6th-ranked Concordia (N.Y.) in the Round of 16.

The Bearcats close their season at 20-4 overall, marking the sixth 20-win season in Northwest history. It was also the eighth straight NCAA tournament appearance for Northwest and the fifth Round of 16 appearance in school history.

Northwest grabbed its only point of the morning in a hard fought match at No. 1 doubles. The dynamic duo of freshman Sergio De Vilchez and Lluis Altimires knocked off 6th-ranked Andrey Boldarev and Daniele Piludu, 8-5.

Points from there would be hard to come by for the Bearcats as Concordia took a 2-1 lead after doubles with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.

Concordia got a win from the 12th-ranked singles player, Daniele Piludu, who took a 6-0, 6-0 win over Rafael Bugiga at No. 2 singles.

The Clippers also earned wins at No. 4 and No. 5 singles to claim the 5-1 victory.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team announced the addition of Justin Pitts from Blue Springs South High School Monday for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Pitts averaged 16.4 points per game and 3.1 steals per game while shooting 67 percent from the field. He was also named first-team all-conference and was a unanimous selection for Conference Player of the Year.

He owns every steals record at Blue Springs South including single-game (12), season (125) and career (260) while helping the Jaguars to three-straight 20-win seasons. After a 24-3 record in 2012-13, Blue Springs South won back-to-back conference and district titles as Pitts also was named Independence Examiner Player of the Year.

“We are thrilled that Justin has decided to join our program,” said Head Coach Ben McCollum. “He comes from a great program at Blue Springs South coached by Jimmy Cain and they have won as much as anyone in the state the last few years. We like the winning qualities Justin brings to the point guard position. He is a solid 3 point shooter, very quick off the bounce and has a great feel for the game. He also has a great knack for getting the basketball on defense.”

“Justin is a great kid and coach Cain constantly stressed his character and how great Justin was to coach for four years. He is the type of kid we want in our program and the type we want to represent our program,” McCollum added.

Pitts brings the Bearcats’ 2013-14 class to three as he was also a DiRenna Award Finalist – awarded to the top basketball player in the Kansas City metro area. Of the five finalists for the DiRenna Award last year, two have signed with the Bearcats after the addition of Zach Schneider last week.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The season ended Saturday for the Northwest Missouri State softball team who suffered their second loss in the MIAA conference tournament losing to Northeastern State 9-2.

Northwest was able to score first going up 1-0 in the third inning when Hailee Hendricks was hit by a pitch with bases loaded.

The RiverHawks plated four runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 4-1 lead.

Kylie Cantrell came up in the bottom of the fourth inning and hit her, team leading, eighth home run of the season to bring her team within two, down 4-2.

Northeastern added five more runs in the fifth inning to take a 9-2 lead and the Bearcats were unable to recover.

Jenna Creger received the loss in the 9-2 defeat as she went 4.0 innings giving up four earned runs and striking out five. Abbie Vitosh went the final 3.0 innings to finish the game.

Eight Bearcat seniors played their final game for Northwest as they finish their season with a 27-19, 15-15 record in 2013.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team fell to No. 1 seed Central Oklahoma 5-0 in the opening round of the MIAA conference tournament Friday.

The starting pitchers dominated for both sides for the first three innings of the ball game. The two teams combined for three hits and seven strikeouts through the first 3.5 innings.

UCO opened the game up in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring four runs on three hits.

The Bearcats were never able to get things going on offense as they managed three hits in the game and left four runners on base.

The Bronchos added one more run in the fifth inning to go up 5-0. UCO starting pitcher, Kaylnn Schrock, went the distance to secure the first round victory.

Jenna Creger was tagged with the loss going 5.0 innings giving up four earned runs and striking out four.

Northwest will be taking on Northeastern State Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. The two teams met up earlier this season with the RiverHawks sweeping the double-header, winning both games by the score of 3-1.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State softball team had four seniors and one junior represent the Bearcats as they were tabbed to the All-MIAA Conference teams for 2013.

Senior second baseman Hailee Hendricks was name First Team All-MIAA after hitting .333 with 42 hits, five home runs and 35 RBIs. For Hendricks this is her third time being honored by the MIAA as she was twice named to the All-MIAA Honorable Mention team. The senior finishes a stellar four year career at Northwest ranking in the top 10 in total bases and hits, top five in RBIs and is the Bearcats all-time leader in doubles with 54.

Pitcher Jenna Creger made her third consecutive conference award by being name to the All-MIAA Honorable Mention team. Creger finished with a 13-9 regular season record during her senior campaign while carrying a 1.92 ERA and striking out 138 batters. The senior pitcher adds to her extensive resume at Northwest, finishing second in career wins with 48, second in career innings pitched with 582.2 and is the all-time strikeout queen for the Bearcats with 545 strikeouts.

First Baseman Rachael Schmitz is named All-MIAA Honorable Mention for the first time in her career at Northwest. Schmitz hit .252 with four home runs and 21 RBIs. The senior had 367 put outs in 2013 which is sixth best in Northwest single-season history. Schmitz racked up 558 total putouts in her four year career making her 10th on the all-time put outs list.

Right fielder, senior, Candace Miller is named All-MIAA Honorable Mention while spending one season with the Bearcats after transferring from Oklahoma Panhandle. Miller led Northwest hitting .370 with six extra base hits, 10 stolen bases, 24 RBIs to go along with 21 multi-hit games. The senior’s 60 hits in 2013, puts her ninth on the single-season hits list.

Center fielder Jordan Ereth is the only non-senior to be named All-MIAA Honorable Mention. Ereth started all 44 regular season games in center field for the Bearcats this season hitting .327 in the leadoff spot. The junior outfielder posted 53 hits with a team leading 11 stolen bases. Ereth finished 10th in the MIAA with 39 runs scored in 2013, making her eighth on the single-season runs scored list at Northwest.

— Northwest Sports Information —