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Category: College

Missouri unveils 2013-14 men’s basketball non-conference schedule

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riggertMizzouMizzou Athletics utilized Monday’s Tiger Scholarship Fund outing in Kansas City to unveil its 2013-14 Men’s Basketball non-conference schedule. A return to Sprint Center on Nov. 16 vs. Hawaii, the annual Bud Light Braggin’ Rights Game vs. Illinois in St. Louis and home games against UCLA and West Virginia highlight a challenging slate.

Mizzou also begins a home-and-home series with North Carolina State on Dec. 28 in Raleigh, N.C., and hosts games vs. postseason qualifiers Western Michigan and Long Beach State.

“We have a little bit of everything on our schedule for next season and I believe it will get our team ready for play in the SEC,” Head Coach Frank Haith said. “It was really important for us to get that home schedule attractive for our fans, not only for this year, but for years to come, so the series with North Carolina State made a lot of sense.

“Games our fans will immediately recognize are the Bud Light Braggin’ Rights Game vs. Illinois and home games against UCLA and West Virginia,” Haith continued. “But Western Michigan won 20 games last year, Long Beach State has become a perennial power on the West Coast and our fans are well aware of Southern Illinois’ tradition, so this is a balanced, competitive schedule.

“Another major focus was to get back to Kansas City,” Haith added. “We have tremendous support in KC and that was very evident during my first year when we played games in the CBE and the Big 12 Tournament. Hawaii will be a good team and I think everyone expects them to challenge Long Beach State for that league’s title next season. They have three or four starters back, have some transfers becoming eligible and our fans will remember Christian Standhardinger, who was very good his first two years at Nebraska, so it will be an important game for us with so many new faces.”

Missouri owns a current five-game winning streak at Sprint Center with each of those wins coming under Haith. The Tigers meet Hawaii for the sixth time in series history (just the second time in the state of Missouri) and the Nov. 16 tip-off comes on a bye weekend for Head Coach Gary Pinkel’s Football squad. Ticket information for this game will be announced later this summer.

“We are certainly excited to be taking a game from Mizzou Arena and bringing it to our tremendous fan base in Kansas City,” Mizzou Director of Athletics Mike Alden said. “This is an important first step in getting our programs competing in Kansas City once again and I know Tiger Nation will be excited to come out and see their team play at Sprint Center on Nov. 16.”

Announced earlier this spring was Mizzou’s participation in the Las Vegas Invitational (Nov. 28-29). Played at the Orleans Arena over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Tigers will face Northwestern and Nevada in a “classic” format. Complete tournament information will be announced later this summer by event organizers.

Two more home games and exhibition contests will be announced at a later date. Games on Nov. 23 and Nov. 25 are part of the 2013 Las Vegas Invitational and will be announced by tournament organizers this summer. The opponents for those two dates will come from the following field: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI), Morehead State (Ky.) and Gardner Webb University (N.C.).

Missouri’s complete schedule, including the 2014 Southeastern Conference Schedule, will be announced later this summer.

— MU Sports Information —

K-State’s Currie named Under Armour AD of the Year

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KSUFollowing a year that saw K-Sate reach unprecedented athletic, academic, administrative and fundraising success, John Currie was named an FBS Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced today.

The honor, one of only four given to FBS athletic directors across the country, was revealed in this week’s edition of SportsBusiness Journal in conjunction with NACDA’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla. Currie will accept the award during a Saturday luncheon at the convention.

“John’s outstanding leadership the past four years has resulted in the recognition of K-State having a model intercollegiate athletics program,” said K-State President Kirk Schulz. “The combination of tremendous athletic, academic and administrative achievements, as well as national acclaim for our university, is extraordinary. This is a special honor, and I am so proud of John and his team for bringing pride to all members of the Wildcat family.”

Since Currie’s introduction as director of athletics on May 18, 2009, K-State’s intercollegiate program has experienced a tremendous turnaround and enjoyed accomplishments and national attention that are unmatched in program history, including a record-setting 2012-13 academic year.

This past year K-State achieved a milestone that only four other BCS schools have obtained since 1998 when the Wildcat football, men’s basketball and baseball teams won conference championships in the same season. K-State also became the first Big 12 school to have league coach of the year honorees in football, men’s basketball and baseball in the same year as Bill Snyder, Bruce Weber and Brad Hill took top coaching honors.

“Thanks to our terrific fans, the best collective group of head coaches in the country, over 450 dedicated student-athletes and a determined and hard-working staff, we have made tremendous progress towards our vision of a model intercollegiate athletics program,” Currie said. “It is humbling to receive an award such as this, and I am pleased to accept this honor on behalf of our team, fans and university community.”

A BCS bowl berth in football and second straight NCAA Tournament appearance in volleyball highlighted the fall season. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the postseason with Weber leading the men’s team to the most wins ever by a first-year head coach in school history and the program’s first league title in 36 years.

Five track and field athletes were crowned Big 12 champions in the spring and Hill’s baseball squad – picked seventh out of nine teams in the Big 12 preseason poll – won the program’s first conference championship in 80 years. The Wildcats made even more history by hosting their first NCAA baseball regional and winning on their home field to advance to their first Super Regional.

K-State has also had another outstanding academic year in 2012-13 with  73 current or former student-athletes earning degrees, while a total of 236 earned Big 12 Commissioner’s honor roll accolades this spring, the most since 2008.

In addition, a total of 95 Wildcat student-athletes earned Academic All-Big 12 recognition in all sports during the 2012-13 athletic season, while senior women’s basketball player Brittany Chambers, junior outfielder Jared King and Petra Niedermayerova from women’s tennis all earned the inaugural Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year award in their respective sports.

With the friendly slogan of “Welcome to K-State” symbolizing the goal of providing The Best Fan Experience in the Big 12, K-State’s marketing and fundraising efforts have been completely overhauled in Currie’s tenure.  Responding to a new emphasis on personal interaction and communication, K-State supporters have pushed attendance to new heights, while  the Ahearn Fund’s fiscal year 2012’s record of $25.8 million means that annual cash giving totals have doubled since Currie’s arrival.

Thanks to the grass-roots support of the 9,000-plus members of the Ahearn Fund, more than $125 million of facility enhancements are also currently underway, including the new West Stadium Center at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The transformational project will provide new amenities for all Wildcat fans including improved ADA access, 200 percent more general restroom and concession facilities as well as new revenue-generating premium seating capacity. A key element of the facility will be a long-desired dining hall to serve the nutritional needs of all K-State teams.

Other notable facility enhancements completed under Currie are the new $18 million award-winning Basketball Training Facility, a new outdoor tennis complex, indoor rowing facility as well as incremental upgrades that have benefitted each of K-State’s 16 athletics programs.

Currently a member of the NCAA Division I Administrative Cabinet and the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors, Currie was named to SportsBusiness Journal’s 2011 prestigious Forty Under 40 list of national sports leaders and currently serves the Big 12 as a member of the Game Management/Officiating Subcommittee as well as the Championship and Awards committee.

— KSU Sports Information —

McFadden, Wildcats lose to Oregon State Sunday

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KSUThird-ranked Oregon State jumped out of the gate with nine runs in the first three innings – including five in the first – and never looked back as the Beavers forced a decisive third game of the Corvallis Super Regional with a 12-4 victory over Kansas State Sunday evening at Goss Stadium.

First pitch for the third game between the Beavers (49-11) and Wildcats (45-18) was moved to 9 p.m. (CT) Monday and will be televised on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.

The Beavers carded 13 hits in the first four frames, including seven with two strikes. After two quick outs in the first inning, Oregon State put together six-straight hits, beginning with back-to-back home runs by Michael Conforto and Dylan Davis. Danny Hayes continued the inning with a double down the right-field line before Ryan Barnes singled to center, extending the lead to three and knocking K-State starter Blake McFadden out of the game.

The Beavers weren’t done there as Kavin Keyes and Jake Rodriguez singled off Levi MaVorhis, the latter driving in two runs, to build the early 5-0 lead.

“Obviously the top of the first told the story of the game,” head coach Brad Hill said. “Back-to-back home runs really got the crowd involved, and you could tell the team just fed off of that. Our freshman on the mound just got a little shell-shocked, and we couldn’t shut it down, so that was pretty much it.”

Oregon State scored two runs in the second and third innings and plated single runs in the fifth, seventh and ninth frames. The Beavers, who had seven two-out RBI, were led offensively by Keyes Tyler Smith with four hits apiece. Smith and Davis each drove in three runs. The Wildcats allowed 21 hits, the most since giving up 27 to Oklahoma in 2009, while the 12 runs were the second-most given up this season.

Beaver freshman pitcher Andrew Moore (14-1) matched his offense by tossing nine-plus innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits with three walks and a career-high nine strikeouts. Moore surrendered a second-inning solo homer to Jared King before consecutive sacrifice flies in the fourth, but the right-hander did not allow a run over the next four frames to keep the Wildcats at bay.

Six Wildcats recorded one hit in the game. Austin Fisher and Jon Davis teamed for the sacrifice flies in the fourth, giving K-State a school record 40 on the year. McFadden (6-3) suffered the loss as he could not make it out of the first inning, allowing four runs on four hits.

— KSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western’s Schulze, Fink selected on day three of MLB Draft

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MWSUMWSUUnanimous Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association player of the year Michael Schulze added to his list of accolades on Saturday afternoon when he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the Major League Baseball Draft.

The Cardinals used their 19th round selection, number 575 overall, to draft Schulze. He was the seventh infielder and sixth shortstop selected by the Cardinals in the 2013 Draft.

The selection comes following a standout junior season for Schulze, the anchor of the MWSU lineup. Schulze earned national player of the year honors from Daktronics and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).

He was also named to the first team All-American squads by Daktronics, ABCA and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) All-America teams. He set a single season school record for batting average (.439), hits (94) and runs scored (70).

Schulze was also the region player of the year and first team All-Region by Daktronics, ABCA and the NCBWA.

He was finally the MIAA Player of the Year and a first team selection. He had 17 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 49 RBI from his lead off position. He stole 17 base’s and had a .939 fielding percentage with 69 putouts and 146 assists.

Unanimous Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association first team All-MIAA third baseman Grand Fink added to his list of accolades on Saturday afternoon when he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the Major League Baseball Draft.

The Indians used their 23rd round selection, number 681 overall, to draft Fink. He was the fourth infielder and first third baseman selected by the Indians in the 2013 Draft.

The selection comes following a standout senior season for Fink. Fink earned numerous All-American honors which included first team by Daktronics.

He was a second team selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He was one of the eight finalists who were selected for the Tino Martinez Award which is presented to the most outstanding player in the DII College Baseball.

Fink tied the MWSU single season record for most home runs in a season with 14 while hitting .397 on the year. He had 77 hits, 40 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples and 51 RBI. He led the Griffons with a .706 slugging percentage and played excellent in the field with a .959 fielding percentage. He finished with 95 assists, 44 putouts and only six errors.

Schulze and Fink helped the Griffons to the most wins in school history at 40-12 and to their second ever NCAA Division II Playoff appearance.

Schulze and Fink are the first Griffon baseball players to be drafted since pitcher AJ Huttenlocker was a 44th round selection of the Oakland Athletics in 2009.  In total, Schulze and Fink become the 5th & 6th players from MWSU to be drafted.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas State rallies past Oregon State to take game one of Super Regional

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KSUKansas State was down to its last strike in the ninth inning before Ross Kivett laced a double and Tanner Witt followed with a game-tying single, and the Wildcats promptly plated four in the 10th en route to a 6-2 victory over No. 3 Oregon State Saturday at the NCAA Corvallis Super Regional at Goss Stadium.

K-State improved its single-season record for wins as the 13th-ranked Wildcats are now 45-17 and one win away from advancing to the College World Series. The Beavers fell to 48-11.

Trailing 2-1, Kivett, the Big 12 Player of the Year, hammered a double into the right-center field gap on a full-count pitch and moved to third when OSU right-fielder Dylan Davis bobbled the ball. Two pitches later, Witt lined a single into center to tie the game.

After Jake Matthys (9-1) worked around a two-out base hit in the bottom half, the Wildcats exploded in the 10th as they sent nine men to the plate, including a go-ahead RBI single by Jon Davis, a pinch-hit RBI single by Mitch Meyer and a back-breaking two-run single through the left side of the infield by Witt.

“We found a way,” head coach Brad Hill said. “That’s the way it’s kind of been all year long. Down to our last strike, Ross comes up big and then Tanner follows it up to get it tied. And then you bring Matthys in, and I think we have a lot of confidence when he comes in to the game that we are going to be in pretty good shape.”

Witt led all hitters by going 3-for-6 with three RBI, while Kivett, Jared King and Blair DeBord each had two hits. Kivett scored two runs and Davis drove in two.

“When it got to 3-2, I wanted to put a good swing on it,” Kivett said of his ninth-inning double. “I really wasn’t trying to do too much. If I could pass the stick to this guy (Witt) and (Shane) Conlon and King, I knew we had a good chance to score a run. I don’t think there was anything special. It was just the same mentality we’ve had all year. You battle until your last strike and you battle until the last out.”

Matthys earned his ninth win of the year to move into a tie for second place in school history. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year allowed two hits in two scoreless innings with a strikeout, while middle reliever Nate Williams tossed three shutout innings and surrendered only one hit with a walk and two strikeouts.

Joe Flattery started the game on the mound for the Wildcats and was effective in his five-plus frames. The only mistake the left-hander made was on a 0-2 pitch to Michel Conforto in the fourth inning, who sent a ball over the right-field wall to give the Beavers a 2-0 lead. Flattery allowed four hits and walked two batters with three strikeouts.

“I know people talk a lot about our offense, but you have to give our pitchers a lot of credit today,” Hill said. “Flattery, Williams and Matthys – those guys had to match them today, and they did.”

The loss spoiled a solid outing by Oregon State starter Matt Boyd, who allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings of work. His only miscue came in the sixth when he hit Davis with the bases loaded and two outs to plate the Wildcats’ first run. The left-hander slammed the door on the Cats the next at-bat, while K-State also left the bases loaded in the eighth.

“Both teams pitched extremely well,” Hill said. “Obviously, I think Boyd was really tough on us. We looked really tight, confused. We just didn’t get any good swings off on him at all. He did a great job against us.”

Beaver relief pitcher Jace Fry was one strike away from his first save of the year, but ended up with the loss as he allowed the tying and go-ahead runs on four hits in 1.2 innings. Oregon State was led at the plate by Tyler Smith, who went 2-for-4.

Game two of the Corvallis Super Regional is slated for a 9 p.m. (CT) first pitch Sunday at Goss Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —

Former MWSU basketball coach Tom Smith inducted into MIAA Hall of Fame

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— MWSU Sports Information —

Mizzou football lauded by NCAA for Top 10 APR rank

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riggertMizzouThe University of Missouri football program has received acclaim from the NCAA for its academic achievements once again.  The Mizzou football team has been recognized by the NCAA for ranking in the top 10 percent in the nation in Academic Progress Rate (APR) for the 2011-12 academic year, it was announced Wednesday.

Mizzou’s football, gymnastics and women’s swimming squads all posted top 10 APR marks for the 2011-12 academic year.  The full APR report from the NCAA will be made available June 10, announcing detailed rates for all Mizzou teams.

The recognition is par for the course for the Tiger football program under the direction of Head Coach Gary Pinkel.  Mizzou has consistently ranked near the top of its conference in APR and Graduation Success Rate (GSR) during his tenure.  In fact, from the last five senior classes, 93-of-97 student-athletes (96%) have gone on to receive their MU degrees.  Five members of the 20-member senior class of 2013 have already received their undergraduate degrees, and will be playing the upcoming season as graduate students – OL Justin Britt (Lebanon, Mo.), DL Brayden Burnett (Southlake, Texas), Marvin Foster (Forth Worth, Texas), DB Randy Ponder (Edmond, Okla.), and LB Andrew Wilson (Peculiar, Mo.).  A sixth Tiger senior, WR L’Damian Washington, is expected to join that group as a Mizzou graduate this August.

The Tiger football program was one of two from the Southeastern Conference to receive top-10 recognition, joined by Alabama.

“We are very proud of this recognition, but really more about the culture that we have here at Mizzou and our focus on academics,” said Head Coach Gary Pinkel.  “The support system that is in place here is second to none, and that allows our young men and for their families to know that they will leave as college graduates.  From our outstanding faculty, to our Total Person and Life Skills program, there are a lot of top-notch people who come together and make it an extremely successful environment at Mizzou.  We’re certainly very grateful for their efforts,” he said.

Missouri’s gymnastics team has ranked in the top 10 nationally for three-straight academic years, while the women’s swimming team at Mizzou has accomplished the feat in two of the last three years (2009-10).

The APR was developed by the NCAA in 2004 to measure the academic progress and performance of athletic programs at member institutions. The multi-year average for the latest Academic Progress Rate Report spans the last four years and institutions are awarded points when a student-athlete remains academically eligible for competition and when he or she either returns to the institution the following semester or graduates.

The Tigers’ academic pursuits are aided by Mizzou’s Total Person Program, a comprehensive array of tutorial and life skills services to ensure their success. The Total Person Program provides Mizzou’s student-athletes with support tailored to each individual’s academic needs and goals.

— MU Sports Information —

KSU’s Matthys named to Freshman All-America team

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NCAA Arkansas Kansas St BaseballThe Kansas State record holder for wins and saves by a freshman, relief pitcher Jake Matthys has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team, Collegiate Baseball announced Wednesday.

Matthys is the sixth Wildcat to earn Freshman All-America honors since 2006 and the first pitcher honored since James Allen in 2009. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Matthys was one of eight players from the conference to be named to the team.

A product of Spring Lake Park, Minn., Matthys enters the Corvallis Super Regional with an 8-1 record and a 1.96 ERA to go along with nine saves. Aside from the school freshman records, the right-hander has the most wins by a K-State relief pitcher in the Big 12 era and currently ranks eighth in school history in single-season ERA. Matthys has continually performed well under pressure, allowing just three of his 31 inherited runners to score and retiring 24 of his 32 first batters faced.

Matthys picked up a pair of saves last week to help the Wildcats earn their first-ever regional title. He tossed 2.1 no-hit innings with two strikeouts against Bryant before pitching the final two scoreless frames in the regional championship against Arkansas. The appearance against the Razorbacks was his 32nd of the year, which broke the school record for relief outings.

Kansas State travels to Corvallis, Ore., to take on Oregon State in a best-of-three series for the right to advance to the College World Series. The Super Regional begins with a 6 p.m. (CT) contest Saturday, while Game Two is slated for 9 p.m. (CT) Sunday. If necessary, Game Three will be played at 6 p.m. (CT) Monday.

— KSU Sports Information —

Kansas announces two-game football series with Hawaii

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riggertKUKansas and Hawaii will meet on the gridiron for the first time since 1985 when the Warriors travel to Lawrence in 2016 as the first part of a home-and-home series, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.

The 2016 home game for the Jayhawks is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, in Memorial Stadium. KU will travel to Honolulu for a return game at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017.

“We are very excited to announce this home-and-home series with Hawaii,” said Kansas head coach Charlie Weis. “We recognize Hawaii and the Islands as a fertile recruiting territory. Both our current players and prospects are excited that these two games are official.”

Kansas leads the all-time series with Hawaii, 1-0. KU defeated the Warriors, 33-27, on Aug. 31, 1985 in Honolulu. It marks the Jayhawks’ first trip to the Islands since defeating UCLA, 51-30, in the 1995 Aloha Bowl.

KU will open the 2013 season on Saturday, Sept. 7 with a home game versus South Dakota. The Jayhawks and Coyotes will kick off at 6 p.m.

— KU Sports Information —

Habermehl retires as women’s golf coach at Missouri Western

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A search for a new coach will begin immediately.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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