College – Page 584 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Northwest women’s basketball earns WBCA academic honor

Posted on July 18, 2013July 18, 2013

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 —

KSU’s Hubert named to Doak Walker Award watch list

Posted on July 18, 2013

Kansas State senior running back John Hubert was named a candidate for the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top college running back for the second-straight year, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Thursday.

Hubert, one of 63 players nationally and nine from the Big 12 up for the award, is K-State’s fourth two-time candidate, joining J.J. Smith (1993 and 1994), Darren Sproles (2003 runner-up, 2004) and Daniel Thomas (2009, 2010 semifinalist).

A product of Waco, Texas, Hubert ranked fourth in the Big 12 in rushing at 72.8 yard per game last season, while he had 15 rushing touchdowns to finish third. Also a candidate for the Maxwell Award and a Preseason All-Big 12 pick, Hubert earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2012 from the league’s coaches and enters the 2013 season just 15 yards shy of K-State’s career top-10 for rushing yardage.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name the semifinalists on November 14, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 25. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on December 2 to determine the recipient, while the winner will be announced as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN on December 12.

Kansas State travels to Dallas to participate in the 2013 Big 12 Football Media Days on Monday. Representing the Wildcats along with head coach Bill Snyder will be wide receiver Tyler Lockett, defensive back Ty Zimmerman, center B.J. Finney and linebacker Tre Walker. Complete media day coverage will be available at both www.k-statesports.com and www.big12sports.com.

The Wildcats kick off the 2013 campaign and open the new West Stadium Center by taking on back-to-back FCS National Champion North Dakota State on Friday, August 30. The contest is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m., and will be televised by nationally by FOX Sports 1.

— KSU Sports Information —

Kansas RB Sims named 2013 Doak Walker Award candidate

Posted on July 18, 2013July 18, 2013

Kansas senior halfback James Sims’ was featured on the list of 2013 Doak Walker Award candidates released by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum Thursday morning. Sims, who is the Big 12 Conference’s top returning rusher heading into the 2013 season, is in the field of candidates for the award that honors the nation’s top college running back.

A native of Irving, Texas, Sims became just the 11th player in Kansas history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season as he turned in 1,013 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns in 2012 despite missing the first three games of the season. He set a KU record by recording 100 or more yards in six consecutive games.

Sims, who led the Big 12 in rushing and ranked 18th in the NCAA in 2012, recorded a career long rush of 64 yards (vs. Texas), a career-long reception of 51 yards (vs. Oklahoma) and a career-long TD run of 59 yards (vs. Baylor). Additionally, he logged his career-best rushing game with 176 yards vs. Texas. He finished his junior campaign ranked eighth on the Kansas all-time rushing chart with 2,482 yards.

Sims, who hauled in 14 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown, concluded his outstanding 2012 season by finding his name on numerous All-Big 12 teams including picking up first team honors from ESPN.com, Phil Steele Magazine and CBS Sports. He earned second team All-Big 12 honors from the conference office, the Associated Press and the San Antonio Express News.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name the semifinalists on November 14, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 25. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on December 2 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2013 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 12, on ESPN. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held in Dallas, Texas, in February 2013. The award, in its 24nd year, is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

Sims and his KU teammates will report for fall camp on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Kansas will open the 2013 season on Saturday, Sept. 7, when it plays host to South Dakota at Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.

— KU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State announces 2013 Hall of Fame class

Posted on July 18, 2013July 18, 2013

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 —

Missouri’s Franklin named to Davey O’Brien Award watch list

Posted on July 17, 2013July 18, 2013

Mizzou Football senior quarterback James Franklin (Corinth, Texas) was selected to the 2013 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List, it was announced by the award’s foundation on Wednesday.

Named to the list by the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, Franklin was one of 34 of the nation’s best college quarterbacks selected based on performance during the previous year and expectations for the 2013 college football season.

Franklin put on an attention-grabbing performance as a sophomore in 2011, recording a stout 3,846 yards of total offense and 36 total touchdowns. He enters his final season at Mizzou looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued junior campaign in 2012. The Tiger has passed for 4,533 yards in his career with 32 touchdown tosses, while scoring 17 times on the ground.

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.

Sixteen semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 4, with the award’s foundation and selection committee naming three finalists on Nov. 25. The 2013 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12 on ESPN. The 37th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner will be held Feb. 17, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.

— MU Sports Information —

Big 12 announces Preseason All-Big 12 Football awards

Posted on July 17, 2013July 18, 2013

The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2013 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team and individual awards, chosen by media representatives who cover the league.

Individual selections include running back Lache Seastrunk (Baylor) as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, defensive lineman Devonte Fields (TCU) as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and running back Charles Sims (West Virginia) as Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

Seastrunk burst on the national scene over the final six games of 2012 when he averaged 138.5 yards during that span. He totaled 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns for the season while earning Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year and Holiday Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player. The junior enters 2013 on a four-game streak of 100-yard rushing games.

Fields is the only unanimous selection on the media preseason team as he appeared on every ballot at the defensive line position. The 6-4 sophomore was last season’s Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team pick after posting 53 tackles, including 34 solo stops. He had 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Fields was named to numerous 2012 freshman All-America teams.

Sims transferred to West Virginia from Houston and will play as a graduate student this fall. He compiled 851 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground last year and caught 37 passes for 337 yards with three more scores. He was an all-conference first team pick in 2011 and second team in 2012.

The media Preseason Big 12 Poll will be released on Thursday, followed by the annual Big 12 Football Media Days to be conducted in Dallas on July 22-23. Live video coverage, including press conferences and one-on-one interviews with a variety of guests, will be featured both days on the Big 12 Digital Network, including Big12Sports.com.

2013 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team

Offensive Player of the Year:	Lache Seastrunk, Baylor, RB
Defensive Player of the Year:	Devonte Fields, TCU, DL
Newcomer of the Year:	Charles Sims, West Virginia, RB

OFFENSE
Pos	Name	School	Ht	Wt	Cl/Exp	Hometown
WR	Josh Stewart	Oklahoma State	5-10	185	Jr/2L	Denton, Texas
TE	Jace Amaro %	Texas Tech	6-5	257	Jr/2L	San Antonio, Texas
OL	Cyril Richardson ^#	Baylor	6-5	335	Sr/3L	Fort Worth, Texas
OL	Cornelius Lucas #	Kansas State	6-9	328	Sr/2L	New Orleans, La.
C	Gabe Ikard ^#	Oklahoma	6-4	295	Sr/3L	Oklahoma City, Okla.
OL	Trey Hopkins #	Texas	6-4	300	Sr/3L	Galena Park, Texas
OL	Le’Raven Clark	Texas Tech	6-5	303	So/1L	Rockdale, Texas
WR	Eric Ward	Texas Tech	6-0	204	Sr/3L	Wichita Falls, Texas
QB	Casey Pachall	TCU	6-5	230	Sr/3L	Brownwood, Texas
RB	Lache Seastrunk	Baylor	5-10	210	Jr/1L	Temple, Texas
RB	John Hubert #	Kansas State	5-7	191	Sr/2L	Waco, Texas
PK	Jaden Oberkrom	TCU	6-3	187	So/1L	Arlington, Texas
KR	Tyler Lockett ^	Kansas State	5-11	175	Jr/2L	Tulsa, Okla.

DEFENSE
Pos	Name	School	Ht	Wt	Cl/Exp	Hometown
DL	Devonte Fields !#	TCU	6-4	240	So/1L	Arlington, Texas
DL	Calvin Barnett #	Oklahoma State	6-2	300	Sr/3L	Tulsa, Okla.
DL	Jackson Jeffcoat ^	Texas	6-5	245	Sr/3L	Plano, Texas
DL	Kerry Hyder %	Texas Tech	6-2	281	Sr/3L	Austin, Texas
LB	Bryce Hager %	Baylor	6-2	235	Jr/2L	Austin, Texas
LB	Jordan Hicks	Texas	6-2	235	Jr/2L	Cincinnati, Ohio
LB	Shaun Lewis	Oklahoma State	5-11	225	Sr/3L	Missouri City, Texas
DB	Ty Zimmerman #	Kansas State	6-1	204	Sr/2L	Junction City, Kan.
DB	Jason Verrett #	TCU	5-10	176	Sr/2L	Fairfield, Calif.
DB	Aaron Colvin #	Oklahoma	6-0	181	Sr/3L	Tulsa, Okla.
DB	Quandre Diggs	Texas	5-10	200	Jr/2L	Angleton, Texas
P	Kirby Van Der Kamp %	Iowa State	6-4	211	Sr/3L	West Des Moines, Iowa
PR	Tramaine Thompson	Kansas State	5-8	167	Sr/2L	Jenks, Okla.

! Unanimous Selection
^ 2012 Preseason Team
# 2012 All-Big 12 First Team selection
% 2012 All-Big 12 Second Team selection

— Big 12 Media Relations —

KU’s Wiggins named Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year

Posted on July 17, 2013July 17, 2013

Kansas freshman guard Andrew Wiggins was named the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year, honoring the top prep male athlete for 2012-13, in an awards ceremony Tuesday evening.

Morgan Andrews, a repeat winner, was the female Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year. The biggest names in high school and professional sports convened in Los Angeles Tuesday as Gatorade honored the top prep male and female athletes with the 11th annual Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year awards. Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year Andrew Wiggins (Huntington St. Joseph’s Prep/Huntington, W. Va.) was named the 2013 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year and Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Morgan Andrews (Milford High School/Milford, N.H.) received 2013 Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year honors.

The nation’s unanimous No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2013, Wiggins averaged a double-double in just 25 minutes per game. A native of Toronto and a fixture on Team Canada’s junior national team, Wiggins has twice anchored bronze medal squads at the international level. Bound for Kansas, he shot 58 percent from inside the arc as a high school senior.

Wiggins and Andrews received their awards at a dinner emceed by ESPN’s Stuart Scottand attended by Paul George (Indiana Pacers All-Star Forward), Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers Quarterback), Abby Wambach (two-time Olympic gold medalist and 1997-98 Gatorade New York Girls Soccer Player of the Year), Bryshon Nellum (2012 Olympian and 2006-07 Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year) and Misty-May Treanor (three-time Olympic gold medalist).

Established in 1985, the Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. In addition to athletic excellence, the award recognizes academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the field. In 2003, the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year awards were established to identify and honor the nation’s top overall male and female high school athletes from among the 12 Gatorade National Players of the Year honored during the high school athletic season.

All Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year nominees will walk the ESPY red carpet and be featured as special guests during The ESPY Awards Show. The show will take place Wednesday evening and air live on ESPN at 8 p.m. (Central).

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas State’s Finney named to Lombardi Award watch list

Posted on July 16, 2013July 16, 2013

Kansas State junior center B.J. Finney captured his third watch list honor Monday as he was named a candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award, the award’s committee announced.

Finney, one of 107 nationally and 12 from the Big 12 up for the honor, is also a candidate for the Rimington and Outland trophies. He is the first Wildcat offensive lineman to be a candidate for three major college football awards since Nick Leckey in 2003.

A 26-game starter, Finney is a two-time team captain and has helped lead K-State to a 21-5 record over the last two seasons. The Andale, Kan., product was an All-Big 12 First Team honoree in 2012 in addition to earning votes for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 7, while finalists will be selected on November 21. The 44th Rotary Lombardi Award will be presented on December 11, 2013, at the Wortham Center in Houston, Texas.

Kansas State opens the 2013 campaign and the new West Stadium Center on August 30, when the Wildcats welcome back-to-back FCS National Champion North Dakota State to Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m., will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1.

— KSU Sports Information —

KU’s Heeney selected to Lombardi Award preliminary watch list

Posted on July 16, 2013July 16, 2013

Kansas junior linebacker Ben Heeney was named to the 2013 Rotary Lombardi Award preliminary watch list announced Monday. Heeney, a Hutchinson, Kan., native, is KU’s top returning tackler heading into the 2013 campaign.

Heeney burst on to the scene in 2012 with 112 tackles in his first season as a starter for the Jayhawks. His 112 tackles included 66 solo stops. He led KU with 12.0 tackles-for-loss and added one sack. He also was credited with two pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.

Heeney earned second team All-Big 12 honors following the 2012 season from the conference coaches, the Associated Press and Phil Steele Magazine. He is listed as a preseason first team All-Big 12 member entering the 2013 season by Athlon, Lindy’s and The Sporting News. Additionally, Heeney was named to the College Football Performance Awards watch list for the top linebacker in the NCAA.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors, being named to their respective all-conference teams or receiving 2013 pre-season honors. The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List will be updated prior to the start of the 2013 season in order to identify other players who have received significant pre-season honors.

The Rotary Lombardi Watch List, intended as a reference tool for the Selection Committee, will be periodically updated and revised through the conclusion of the voting to determine the 12 Semifinalists for 2013. The 44th Rotary Lombardi Award will be held on December 11, 2013 at the Wortham Center in Houston, Texas.

Heeney and his KU teammates will report for fall camp on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Kansas will open the 2013 season on Saturday, Sept. 7, when it plays host to South Dakota at Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.

— KU Sports Information —

Perry retires as Missouri Western men’s golf coach

Posted on July 10, 2013July 10, 2013

After 49 seasons of coaching golf on the high school and college level including the last twelve seasons as Griffon Men’s Golf Coach, Jim Perry has announced his retirement.

Perry took over the golf program from Mike Habermehl in the summer of 2001 and has led Griffon Men’s Golf to be a constant among the upper tier of MIAA teams.

“I can’t thank MWSU enough for the opportunity to be apart of the program for the past 12 seasons,” Perry said. “The thing I cherish the most is the many folks I’ve had the opportunity to meet and the relationships I’ve made with my student-athletes, coaches, administrators, players from opposing teams, parents and our boosters.”

Perry led the Griffons to eight NCAA Central Region Championships in his tenure including the 2005 tournament which was held at St. Joseph Country Club. His 2006 team won the MIAA Championship, one of only two conference titles in program history.

“Coach Perry is a legend in the coaching ranks and I am thankful I’ve had the opportunity to work with him here at MWSU,” said Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin. “He has done a great job with our program and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Perry also recruited and coached a number of outstanding student-athletes at MWSU including All-MIAA selections Aaron Lisenbee, Daniel Cordray, Shane Feist and Tyler Gast. Lisenbee was also named an Honorable Mention All-American in 2008.

No Griffon during Perry’s tenure was as decorated as Brice Garnett. Perry recruited Garnett from Gallatin, Missouri in 2002. He went on to be a four time All-MIAA selection, two time All-American, played on four NCAA Tournament teams and advanced to the NCAA National Tournament twice including a fourth place individual finish his senior year in Savannah, Georgia. Garnett was twice named the MWSU Male Student-Athlete of the Year (04-05, 05-06) and is awaiting induction into the MWSU Hall of Fame as he was part of the 2012 class. Since he graduated from MWSU, he has gone on to enjoy a successful professional golf career as he currently has exempt status on the Web.Com Tour.

“Not many folks have had the opportunities I’ve had in my career,” said Perry. “It was a special time for me when I came to Missouri Western as I had the opportunity to coach my son for the final two years of his career and neat to watch the program I left at Central win a state championship during that time. It was also special for me to coach arguably the best player that’s ever played at MWSU in Brice Garnett as well as the many other quality student-athletes that have been on our teams over the past years.”

Perry’s teams also excelled in the classroom as his program had a 100% graduation rate and boasted the highest team GPA this past spring among male sports at MWSU.

Prior to his MWSU career, Perry spent 37 years at Central High School in St. Joseph where he spent nine years as an Assistant Football Coach, 25 years coaching basketball (with stints on both the boy’s & girl’s side) and all 37 coaching the boys & girls golf teams.

His golf teams were a traditional state power winning numerous district titles which advanced the teams to the state tournament. He led the boys program to three consecutive state titles from 1992-1994. He’s also a member of the Central High School Hall of Fame as he was inducted as part of two different teams, one being the 1971 Boys Basketball Team which won 28 consecutive games during the season and the other, his 1992 State Championship Boys Golf Team.

A search for a new coach will begin immediately.

— MWSU Sports Information —